
I’m tired of writing about general interest news on TechCrunch. Namely because I’m tired of debating what *is* a tech story and having to have a hardcore filter thus, because of optics and the prominence of our publication.
In the course of this weekend I’ve read the Society of Professional Journalism’s “Code of Ethics” three times, just to figure out if in actuality I am a journalist. As far as I can tell, I am not one. Because I have a huge problem with other people approving of and being comfortable with what I write. Because I don’t think conflicts of interest are avoidable. And a lot more reasons.
Also, as hard as it it is to admit, I would probably go ballistic if I had to subscribe to the approval mechanisms that exist in other, more traditional, news organizations, or more than ephemerally have deal with the kind of postgame holier-than-thou judgment and analysis that is par for the course in the traditional media industry, which very clearly hates itself.
From The New York Times today, covering the coverage of the Boston bombing coverage.
“Even good reporters with good sources can end up with stories that go bad,” says this article.
THANKS. NO SHIT. Yes, we are human, we make mistakes. Looking for someone to blame is the most basic of our behaviors, and gets amplified at collective moments of unease: “Media (And Especially Reddit) Is To Blame For Boston Tragedy,” is what we’ve been doing all week. Basically.
This sucks. Do better. You’re paid to write the truth, not to eloquently throw others under a meta-analysis bus. The New York Times should change its name to Hindsight Is 20/20.
That’s all for now, I’m going to get back to scheduling guest posts.
Image via gomery