A request was sent out on Medill's alumni listserv today, seeking a media consultant to develop a Martha Stewart-style plan for a top Chicago CEO facing a federal tax indictment later this week.
What ensued was more than two dozen responses from Medill alumni, some suggesting what the CEO should do ("how about coming clean?"), but most debating what is appropriate for a listserv.
One respondent said it should NOT be a "forum for glib pronouncements," and reminding everyone that it is an indictment, not a conviction.
Another suggested the listserv not be used for the "the recruitment of hired hands to massage the image of those facing federal indictment." This promptly stoked the fire of the debate with alumni weighing in on what, if any, rules govern the listserv. One person reminded the list we are journalists, and stifling free speech is "repulsive."
Most responses after that agreed, saying they enjoyed the spirited debate, as I certainly did. (Especially considering these are some hot-shot Chicago journalists.) At one point, the conversation veered back to the lecture at hand - the CEO - and several agreed to keep an eye on the morning papers to see just who this person is. Interestingly, one respondent even mused who would get the story first, considering that the listserv was essentially a tip, and just what path that tip took before it reached the papers.
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4 comments:
Ah, the wonders of digital media! I posted it too.
Blog: Digitaltechnik
Post: Journalist List Serve receives the most surprising Request:
Link:
http://digitaltechnik.blogspot.com/2005/10/journalist-list-serve-receives-most.html
Chris, I did see your note on it too. And thanks for commenting!
It seems I might have made a few folks mad. A search brought up my blog entry, and someone sent out a somewhat scathing email to the listserv with the link.
But the email seemed to insinuate that there once was a time when listserv or Internet musings were ever anonymous. That has never been the case. This emailer reminded the listserv that "spying eyes" were watching, and that nothing is off-the-record.
This should not be news.
(For the record, I didn't post people's names or attribute the comments because I appreciate the audience of the listserv and I don't want to stifle such comments.)
My whole point was to note that journalists were debating Internet and listserv etiquette, which again I found interesting because the Internet seems to constantly change our thinking on communications.
And further, I am not "spying eyes." I am an alum and a member of the listserv.
Right on, Sara!
(I wanted to send that to the listserv, but didn't want to add to the melee.) I wholly support your use of the listserv on your blog, and enjoyed your response to being accused of having spying eyes and nosey fingers...or whatever he said.
--Kari
i agree that the list-serv is something that we all must assume will be on the front page of a publication within moments of e-mail distribution. and so we should all use the list-serv accordingly....best wishes.
matt baron
(the alum urging folks to refrain from "glib pronouncements")
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