From the No Shit Sherlock Files: Bloggers Aren’t Journalists
Uncategorized November 3rd. 2007, 3:11pm
Based on his columnist mugshot, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News seems like an affable fellow. The kind of guy you buy your Christmas Tree from, or perhaps solicit for help at Rite-Aid.(Plus, he would never, ever accidentally type Cade McNown instead of Josh McCown. Nope.) Also, he is very angry at bloggers. This is sooooo 2005, right? Nevertheless, bloggers are “starting to tick [him] off.” Though he doesn’t say it outright (or link to anything in particular), we can only surmise that he is chafed because some blogs somewhere speculated about how Tigers closer-in-waiting Joel Zumaya injured his shoulder. How socially irresponsible! Shame on all bloggers! You are all very bad people and should cease and desist with this behavior right now and let the people “who had to go to school for this stuff” handle the rumors and hearsay.
Back to the basement from whence you came. (Yes, McCosky went there.)
Bloggers just aren’t journalists (Detroit News)
29 Responses to “From the No Shit Sherlock Files: Bloggers Aren’t Journalists”
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November 3rd, 2007 at 3:18 PM
I’m just surprised that he didn’t say ‘from their parents’ basement’. This guy’s always been a douche.
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:29 PM
Just read his entire article (right down to his comments about Kiki), and I gotta say it: Chris McCosky is one angry man.
What I’d like to know is, what “blogs” is he referring to. Name some names dammit. Don’t be hiding in your cubicle writing about journalistic standards if you can’t back up your opinions. Hey, that’s what he’s saying about blogs.
Most of the blogs I frequent credit were they got the information from. If they don’t, I don’t read them.
Next time, McCoskey — and those who like to bash blogs — should understand there are two types of blogs: those who credit their sources, and those that don’t (just like journalists). Next time, McCoskey should point out the blogs that do it well, as well as those who are garbage.
Mr. McCoskey should also understand that blogs are very similar to columnists. But then, that would take away his argument then wouldn’t it. It would also take away his readership — which may result in Mr. McCoskey (or one of his friends) getting let go.
By the way, I wonder how he feels about that columnist from Oklahoma who wrote the article that ticked off the OSU head coach? Didn’t she make things up too? It works both ways McCoskey; don’t deny it.
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:48 PM
i’ve never seen such an angry banana
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:48 PM
Didn’t think it was that bad. There’s a difference between good blogs, such as this one, and dumb homer blogs. Anyone who follows blogs knows this.
My one problem is this line:
“If we rip somebody in an article, you best be sure most of us will confront that person the next day and take whatever medicine we need to take.”
One name: Jay Mariotti
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:13 PM
They have asked me to produce a weekly collection of things that have been ticking me off.
Sorta like a blog?
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:23 PM
What a whiny bitch. As though being a sportswriter is some sort of noble calling.
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:41 PM
What do these “real” journalist think of other real journalist who have started to, yup, blog? So is it OK for “real” journalist to blog but not OK for others?
Not sure why everyone can’t just get along. Without the “real” media blogs like this would be nowhere near as informative and at the same time bogs like this help “real” journalist reach a larger audience.
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:50 PM
As a former sports writer myself, I can tell you that 75% of these guys are pissed off ALL the time about something. This guy just sounds like another one of those who thinks because he got a college degree in journalism, he’s the only one allowed to write opinions about sports. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:10 PM
BobbybeingManny, I posted a comment on his blog stating that very name. How many times have we heard about how Mariotti rips guys to shreds, and then doesn’t have the balls to confront them.
The one thing I don’t like about blogs is when bloggers link to a story, but don’t mention who showed them the story in the first place (hint hint).
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:22 PM
McCoskey said…..”Journalism employs trained professionals”…..well …duh….that’s what’s supposed to happen. My problem with Mr. McC….is as follows….Yes, I have a blog (http://5onfive.blogspot.com/)….but I also have a full time job. I …like a lot of bloggers I read….do a great deal of research…on my own time. And no….we don’t get paid for it. We don’t have to “make a story”…just to meet a deadline. And as for not citing sources….those of us who had any college journalism courses at all will tell you …..you can not write anything….without acknowledging who contributed to whatever piece you were writing. Furthermore…..I really hate “blanket statements” . Mr. McCloskey branded all bloggers as one. If he had a specific beef with a particular blog…..then ….call ‘em out……We “bloggers” have a thick skin.
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Spartan … not sure if the hint was directed this way, but we try to link as often as possible.
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:48 PM
believe you me, there are plenty of journalists at large papers who cover major teams who are absolutely incompetent and horrible at what they do. they can’t report, they can’t write, they don’t understand the games they cover, and they don’t understand where commas go. so “trained professionals” means nothing to me.
i think most longtime journalists simply don’t understand blogs. or are jealous of them. blogs get to say what he can’t. i think most bloggers don’t post insane rumors, and speculating an offseason baseball injury happened in a way different than what the player said (re: Jeff Kent) isn’t such a big sin.
now, if you’ll excuse me, i have to go write a post that says joel zumaya hurt his shoulder while manually masturbating animals in a zoo.
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:50 PM
and damn it, i forgot the most important part of this. here is the definition of journalist:
“a person who keeps a journal, diary, or other record of daily events.”
so “journalist” is a really loose term. if you keep a diary, not only are you gay, but you are technically a journalist. what makes this guy any more or less credible than, say, the guys at Kissing Suzy Kolber?
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:02 PM
“lozo”….I think you said it quite well….There is a jealously factor…and an accountability factor. When you or I make a post…..We had best be ready for an immediate response….good or bad….someone will challenge us…..that’s the difference between blogging — and writing a weekly column. If our commas are in error….or we miss-spell a word (I think I just miss-spelled …miss-spelled)…some one will call us out immediatly ….if not sooner.
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:25 PM
McCosky has been getting hammered for years by the guys at Detroit Sports Rag and its because he’s clueless… when the Pistons fired Rick Carlisle he was asleep at the wheel… the DSR beat him soundly to the story. And thats just one, he is constantly wrong and his writing of this piece is just to cover himself because of such. Like when he comments on bloggers “just making things up” to see if they stick.
In the meantime, he is too close to the Pistons to the point where they probably feed him misinformation because they know he’ll run with it- without question.
The column was pathetic and the old “blogger in the basement” argument is at this point a weak cliche.
I would assume that the folks at the Detroit Sports Rag, who actually had a daily award named after McCoskey will be weighing in on this, and it should be a very good read.
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:52 PM
There is probably an easier way to tell the world you have a “man crush” on Joel Zumaya than to hide it inside a page long article.
Seriously though, this is nothing more than somebody that is older dealing with a new technology. The same way old people didn’t understand computers, or hybrid cars, or DVR’s.
McCosky doesn’t understand what the “hip kids” are doing, and is trying his best to hold on what he’s losing.
That coupled with the fact that he spends the whole article talking out of both sides of his mouth. You can’t respect everybody’s opinion, then tell everybody not to read or write blogs. Nor can you say bloggers try their best to discredit the media, then say they always unfairly copy the work of “real writers”.
Why isn’t McCosky mad at sports radio people as well? Don’t they report the same sort of rumors that a blog does? I don’t see people on ESPN radio interviewing Alex Rodriguez before they talk about him. It looks more like some writer in Detroit is just a little bitter.
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:30 PM
Who reads blogs on Saturdays? Honestly?
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:51 PM
“Whence.” It’s “whence you came,” not “from whence you came.” Whence means “from where” (or just “where”).
Just thought you’d like to know that for the future.
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:59 PM
I am the “main” blogger that Chris McCosy is attacking in this article.
If you would like to read my response to this functional idiot, please click this link:
http://www.detroitsportsrag.com/b2evolution/index.php
Thanks.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:32 PM
couldnt he think of something better to say than “a guy wearing pajamas in his basement?” isnt that old by now ?
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Well…the difference between most “professionals” and “non- professionals” is a paycheck…
It doesnt take a college dergree to opine on something….
Alot of the professionals are horrible anyways
See: Gregg Easterbrook
See: McCosky
Additionally….what guy between 10 and 50 wears pajamas anyways?
November 4th, 2007 at 12:06 AM
this kind of reminds me of web site developers who went to school to learn how to write code…then Dreamweaver came out. WYSIWYG pissed all of these gusy off because there years of schooling and training didnt matter any more..suddenly anyone could design a website…and most were better than the code developers….Blogging is the same…anyone can have an article now….anyone can have an audience..you dont need to go through years of being a beat writer to be a internet success…if it were me…Id be pissed too…I would have to ask myself if all o those years in journalism school were a waste of time
November 4th, 2007 at 1:07 AM
He has a point about the trained professionalism thing. Though, as a history major now doing a masters in journalism, I find it hard to believe that someone could actually do an entire degree learning how to write in news style.
That said, could he have some more original rants? Who is on his radar for next week? Bill Simmons?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:04 AM
i just want to say i think it’s funny that my name was put in quotes.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:56 AM
I actually went to school and got a degree in journalism, and I must say, there’s more balance in blogging than in 90 percent of sports reporting.
That, and fans can appreciate a coherent thought from other fans far moreso than an air-filled, arrogant commentary from a columnist who thinks he’s The Voice of the People.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Dear Chris McCosky,
I too went to school and have a journalism degree!
The reason I left newspapers is because I am smart enough to recognize a dying dinosaur. I also got tired of working around self-righteous pricks like you, who think they are the only ones who could possibly know squat!
Please continue your rants, so everyone can see how much you actually detest those who take the time to rest your garbage. I am sure your circulation department will just love you.
TBL – Whether they are in sports or straight news, people like this are the reason journalist and reporters have a reputation lower than lawyers and used car salesmen!
November 4th, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Gang-
The rebuttal from the website that goat McCoskey’s goat…
http://www.detroitsportsrag.com/b2evolution/index.php
November 4th, 2007 at 6:46 PM
Whenever the traditional media vs. new media bit comes up, bloggers always point to the cream of the crop (Abbott, maybe Deadspin) in their field and point to the Jayson Blairs and ESPNs in the established side.
But honestly, for every good reporting sports blog, there are dozens of awful ones, occasionally posting the right rumor at the right time. I remember before Frank Broyles announced his retirement, some guy on a messageboard claimed to have inside knowledge that Frank was going to finally call it quits. Forget that this guy with inside knowledge posted under the name “Pork Rind Jimmy,” and that speculation of his retirement was rampant, people ate that up and thought he was a prophet.
Speaking of Broyles, I covered his retirement party last Friday. For what i’m doing in the traditional media, the story was about famous well wishers, the Jerry Joneses and Barry Switzers. But if I was writing for a blog, I’d probably open with something about how Frank can really put away some catfish, and how he is so salt of the earth he’d take a few bites, and tell anyone they just had to taste it. I think that’s the thing, bloggers fill niches the traditional media can’t always fill.
What I’d be worried about if I was a fan of blogs is the current co-opting of them by big companies. I’m sure if you asked any journalist what the biggest problem with media is, they’d really quickly tell you corporate ownership, that they no longer serve their readers, but their readers and their company’s shareholders. These are the folks that tell reporters and editors to do more with less. You always do less with less. Then again, don’t bloggers sometimes have the very least to begin with?
Sorry dudes, that was long. Next time i’ll try to be more succinct.
November 4th, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Obviously the author of that article is going to be incinerated here, but, honestly, how many people read this site just for the subsequent discussion? The level of “analysis” and humor in the posts is about what I would get out of every single buddy I talk to every week, and the factual accuracy is that of a random guy at a bar after about 8 drinks. That’s okay; it’s not what I come here for.
I read this blog because I can stomach one blog and this is the one I found first. It’s not exactly irreplaceable. Plus, I can enjoy reading all of the piling on ESPN without being angered by the hypocrisy, because you’re not making much, if any, money off of this! It’s perfect!