Bloggers, Blogs, and the Blogger's Box, Oh My!

by Bob Wage on Oct 11, 2007 1:53 AM EDT

A week or so ago, I posted some information about the opening of the NY Islanders Blogger's Box. It seems that a variety of opinions about the "box" have recently created an electronic donnybrook of epic proportions which have polarized several in the blogging community! On one side, you have some legitimate bloggers/journalists, like Eric McErlain and Greg Wyshynski who already have full media access with the Washington Capitals. They seem to think that the Islanders are diminishing the value of journalistic access by not only condoning but encouraging the bloggers to act like fans. The selected bloggers are segregated from press row and the professional journalists. They have limited access to post game interviews and no access at all to the visitor's locker room. Worst of all, the bloggers are encouraged to wear their team colors! Both Eric and Greg are very quick to call the experiment going on in NY a "failure" and a "farce". even before it's first week of existence! While I have the utmost respect for both gentlemen, in my opinion they are missing the boat on this one and are very premature in their conclusions.

It seems to me that one of the problems in the disagreement is that many bloggers can't even agree among themselves what the true definition of blogging is. In my opinion, blogging is an informal way of writing in a weblog, about anything. In basic terms, it's simply an "electronic journal". To some professionals though, it seems that any "blogger" is automatically a journalist and should adhere to the parameters and professional guidelines of such. According to dictionary.com, they would be correct! The definition of a journalist is as follows:

1.	a person who practices the occupation or profession of journalism.

2.	a person who keeps a journal, diary, or other record of daily events.

Number two is also the definition of a blogger, except that the term "weblog" is included. So, should all bloggers be considered journalists and treated as such? Of course not! I don't consider myself to be a journalist. While I try to maintain proper decorum, grammar, spelling, and post accurate information, (except for my opinions), I don't attempt or pretend to be a professional writer. Not yet anyway! It would appear that most, if not all of the writers chosen to be in the Blogger's Box feel the same way. None of them have complained about not being allowed in the visitor's locker room. None of them have complained about being segregated from the "real" journalists. All of the reports that I have read from them have contained nothing but positive feedback. So if the Islanders are happy and the "Box Bloggers" are happy, then what's the problem? Why are a few "elitists" who already have full access calling the experiment a "failure and a farce"? Maybe there are other reasons behind the attack than what they have mentioned?

Several professional writers and bloggers alike have joined sides with the Islanders bloggers on this one. Richard Deitsch of Sports illustrated.com was in the box on opening night for the sole purpose of writing about the experiment. In his article "Breaking the Ice", he seems to indicate that this is a good idea.

"The Blog Box members acquitted themselves well on Saturday. They were smart and impassioned. A couple of plucky souls asked pointed questions of Campoli, including whether he was worried about losing ice time to Bryan Berard, a free-agent defenseman who is expected to be signed after a training camp invite/try-out. The recaps the following day were an interesting mix of fandom and reportage. "I thought their questions were good," Campoli said. "Very educated. It was just like another interview from a professional writer."

"It was just like another interview from a professional writer"? Wow, those had to be the very last words legitimate journalists ever wanted to hear, and it happened after the very first interview! Professional sports writer and hockey blogger deity, James Mirtle also voiced his opinion in support of the Blogger Box and offered a few digs at McErlain for his negative viewpoint and criticism. One of Eric's points was that the bloggers would eventually feel obligated to the Islanders and their writing wouldn't be objective, to which Mirtle replied:

" Besides, for all of the coverage we're seeing piped out of the Capitals' press box these days, how critical a voice are we getting? Here was a team that was a bottom feeder last season that offered plenty of opportunities to be dumped on, but did we really see that from Ted Leonsis's new legion of blogglings?" Ouch!

There does seem to be plenty of unnecessary backbiting here, on both sides. I see nothing wrong with what the Islanders are doing. So far the chosen bloggers have all done exactly what was asked of them. They have treated both the players and the legitimate press with respect. From a personal perspective, if I was invited to be in the Hurricanes pressbox I would most assuredly follow whatever guidelines were put forth. That's only common sense. But on the other hand if I was given the same opportunity that the Islanders are offering, I wouldn't look at it as an insult or slap in the face. This is something new and a work in process and it's far from being a failure!

What do you readers think? Should bloggers stay out of the pressbox or do you think that the blogs you check daily would benefit from some type of inside or player access? Would you like enhanced information, or do you think that if the writer got too close to the team, it could end up ruining the blog? I'm starting a new poll that is related to this topic, but send me an email or a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I love going to games as a fan, and I love blogging about the games.
I would very much like to be afforded an opportunity like that given to Caps bloggers and Isles bloggers. If that opportunity came up, and I was allowed to sit in a press box and I was given certain things (updated stat sheets, popcorn, access to players after the game), I would certainly leave the Hurricanes sweater at home and dress the way journalists dress. And I would attempt to act the way real journalists act.
It’s like teenagers who want to be treated like adults but still want to act like kids.
Sorry, but my stuffy opinion is that if we bloggers want to be treated like journalists and we want to to have the same kinds of access that journalists have, that means we need to leave the rah-rah stuff at home for one night.

by redblackhockey on Oct 11, 2007 2:13 AM EDT reply actions

Personally, I agree with you David. Given the same opportunity, I would leave my jersey at home. But the point is, the Islanders are promoting the “Blogging Box” as a place for fans. They are telling the bloggers to go ahead and wear their jerseys, cheer, and act like fans act. Of course different rules apply for the post game interviews with players.

What would you do, if the Canes invited you to a similar function, but told you to go ahead and wear your jersey? Would you wear it or leave it home? I think the Islanders bloggers are making the same personal choices about this, but according to the specific rules put forth in this case, they aren’t right or wrong either way.

by Bubba on Oct 11, 2007 2:40 AM EDT reply actions

I admit to not keeping up on the latest writings about this controversy but it seems to me no one has yet mentioned the single biggest reason why journalists are opposed to bloggers being given access: fear. This fear that journalists have of bloggers can really be seen in the political blogging circles. I believe journalists fear that they won’t be necessary anymore if bloggers “take over” and thus lash out at bloggers. It seems pretty transparent to me that is what is going on in this case. They’re afraid that the bloggers will do well and everyone will realize “hey…why do we need journalists anyway?” I disagree and think we’ll always need an unbiased media (hopefully more unbiased than we have now…a dig at the political media) but if you felt like you were looking at the possibility of losing your job, you might behave the way these journalists have.

Good luck Bubba (and RBH) in getting your blogger access with the canes. Maybe some day they’ll wake up and see fan advocacy as a good thing.

by jwalther420 on Oct 11, 2007 8:04 AM EDT reply actions

I have mixed opinions.

On one hand, I check most of the Canes blogs every week and would like to have more information from “insiders” other than Luke and Lorenzo. If that means giving bloggers more access, I’m for that.

On the other hand, the professional journalists have dedicated their lives to their profession. They’ve spent money and time on obtaining a degree that demonstrates qualifications. I’m sure they have worked the trenches to get where they are. I’m sure they ask themselves why are these people afforded the same luxuries?

Problem is that bloggers fill a need, this is why we visit these sites regularly. Good job Bubba, the site is great.

by fredwiAtSAS on Oct 11, 2007 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

It is a big commitment to maintain a blog like this one, I’m sure. And it’s a labor of love. Some blogs are casual places for people to share their thoughts on a game; others offer in-depth analysis and bring together news from around the league that would take a lot of effort for me to gather on my own. For the purpose of press access, blogs have to be evaluated on an individual basis.

On the poll, I chose “for some occasions”.

by John on Oct 11, 2007 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

Mixed feelings…..

The professional journalists are there to cover games from a neutral perspective. They are professionals who love the game, and though they may have favorites (who wouldn’t), the aim is to cover the game for the sake of it. This allows objectivity, and the ability to ask questions and make statements that all can understand come from an investigative standpoint. They are part of corporate institutions, and as such, are there for the money.

On the blogger hand, the passion for the game AND the team is there. Bob did not build this great site for money, or for the love of hockey as a primary reason, and either did the other bloggers. They did it because they love their team. They love the sport, but they love thier team first.

So, if you allow the bloggers in to have access, you have to allow them to come in as they are, fans of the team first, sport second. If you tell the bloggers that they cannot wear a jersey, this takes away from the very reason that they have the site. They have it because they love the team. You erase part of the identity.

If you don’t allow the bloggers to be who they are at all times, then do not allow them access. They are a unique part of the brave new internet world, and an important part of the game now. For the most part they are objective, but the slant is obvious for what they do.

Also, I imagine that many players would tend to be put off by bloggers because of the credentials. They would not tend to understand off color comments and rants that are seen on the blogs. They can accept this from a pro, but not from an amateur. So the minute Bob says something crazy about some player, that questions whatever in him, Bob will probably get shunned by him, and others. He is not a professional, he is an amateur.

I love the idea of bloggers having access. It is a reality that all teams will face in the future. But if you will allow them in, let them come in as the team loving amateurs that they are, with the passion that they have, and enjoy that new aspect of the game. If you can’t do that, then just accept the bland reporting that we get now, from most professional journalists.

Let the bloggers live as they are, let them report as they do, and don’t clip their wings!Give them access in all their glory, or keep them out and let them flourish on the net as they do now. I for one traust the blog sites for what they do, more than Luke DeCock (no slight to Luke, but the media is very clammy when it comes to reporting on sports in a local market like this).

Sean

by CaniacSean on Oct 11, 2007 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you all for your well thought out comments.

Sean, you make an interesting point. Why pretend I’m not a fan for a few minutes while attending a game, when the whole purpose behind this blog is because I am a fan? Even most of the credentialed bloggers who are complaining about “acting like a fan” have team specific sites. Perhaps they should rename and redesign their respective blogs to something non-team specific if they want to maintain a true presence of neutrality and objectivity?

by Bubba on Oct 12, 2007 2:00 AM EDT reply actions

In the box or out Bob, this remains one of the best sites out there, and I would support whatever you did, as long as you remember why you did this whole thing, and stayed true to it. Sure, an invite would be great. But if it came with strings attached, I would stay in the web world, tailgate like a wildman, scream at every game, and do what you do best from the outside looking in. The ones who now have access, and are complaining about what the Isles are doing, are sellouts, and have forgotten where they came from.

Sean

by CaniacSean on Oct 12, 2007 3:53 AM EDT reply actions