tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post8162507924297382582..comments2023-08-19T06:19:28.990-04:00Comments on the nytpicker: EXCLUSIVE: David Pogue, In Violation Of NYT Ethics Rules, Took Fee To Speak To Industry Trade Group Last Week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-73777074287273028022009-09-25T22:51:56.378-04:002009-09-25T22:51:56.378-04:00Don't feel bad. I got an ass-reaming from Pog...Don't feel bad. I got an ass-reaming from Pogue himself on my blog after briefly mentioning his professional discrepancies.<br /><br />It seems that he cannot take opposing viewpoints well.<br /><br />If you care to read what I wrote, his rebuttal and my open letter in response to him, it's posted here:<br /><br />http://www.techyuppie.com/whats-missing-from-modern-tech-journalism/<br /><br />and here:<br /><br />http://www.techyuppie.com/an-open-letter-to-david-pogue/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04386840939701780885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-19702302964301214422009-09-22T23:51:15.918-04:002009-09-22T23:51:15.918-04:00The same criticism could be made of restaurant rev...The same criticism could be made of restaurant reviewers in particular, chefs and those that write real estate stories. Financial journos seem to be held to a higher standard but not much. <br /><br />They all have huge conflicts and many earn big bucks off the back of their writing for print media. They publish books, have TV shows, guest commentaries, speaking gigs etc. <br /><br /> It is common place but I think most, like Pogue et al are mindful of this and try to be even handed but it is tricky. <br /><br />Funny we don't like it if doctors take free trips or pens from a big pharma but all these other guys are doing effectively the same thing. <br /><br />Maybe the GFC might not have happened "out of the blue", had everyone been reporting without vested interest or bias. Facts I guess are just not quite as interesting.<br /><br />Maybe we wouldn't go to so many overrated restaurants or hotels if reviewers/reporters were not feted by the good life. Maybe people wouldn't have bought stocks at the top of the market when the companies already had the life sucked out of them.<br /><br />Once again, it is the consumer that is the last person to know the reality but in the case of the grey lady - surely they as the paper of record should be held accountable for transparent, unbiased content regardless of whether it is journalistic, reported, reviewed or heresay - tell us, so we know and we can make a decision based on the source.jane blogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529675869287364548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-65476726318084224262009-06-28T11:45:33.028-04:002009-06-28T11:45:33.028-04:00This is really perverse. Pogue speaks to a trade ...This is really perverse. Pogue speaks to a trade group which serves as a neutral meeting ground for companies. He doesn't appear to violate NYT policy.<br /><br />Mossberg makes millions by asking companies he covers to give him sponsorship and registration money.<br /><br />Somehow, the ethical Pogue is criticized and Mossberg is held to be a paragon of virtue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-66971328888782792302009-06-27T13:04:47.278-04:002009-06-27T13:04:47.278-04:00My my, cranky cranky nytpickers. It's me, the ...My my, cranky cranky nytpickers. It's me, the first poster. <br /><br />1) I did mean to write CAN not CANNOT. (I also meant to write FEES not FEEDS, so how about I preemptively apologize for that too so we can move to the important stuff?) <br /><br />I regret the error.... now, moving on.<br /><br />2) Actually, it is you misstating the policy, friends. The CEA is not an educational group, but did you notice the "or" there? It is a nonprofit. Registered 501(c)6. Did you know that (I mean, before I pointed you to Guidestar? Learned a little something there didn't we?) <br /><br />3) Now that we know this, are you saying this policy allows staffers to accept fees ONLY from 501(c)3 charities? I see no such language. And before you get too hot and bothered about "trade groups," there are plenty out there that do not qualify as lobbying entities. The Society of Professional Journalists, for example, which is a registered 501(c)6 -- just like CEA. Are you saying SPJ doesn't qualify as an "educational or other nonprofit" organization under this policy? I think that would come as a surprise to a lot of people at 620 8th Ave., don't you?<br /><br />4) Finally, the dollar amounts I cited are their direct lobbying expenses -- not including things like salary and so forth not related to actual lobbying (government relations departments do a lot more than gladhand politicians, you know).<br /><br />But fine. Even if we accept your number, you are actually now claiming that 4 percent of the CEA budget constitutes a "major focus"? Really?<br /><br />And is it worth taking into account that CEA averaged less than 1 percent of budget in lobbying costs in the three previous years? <br /><br />Face it: The CEA is not PhRMA, and no amount of fuzzy math on your part can change that. Sorry to bum you out, but Pogue did nothing wrong. <br /><br />There is every reason why Pogue should not have accepted this speaking fee. But a violating a Times policy is not among them.<br /><br />Next time do the reporting first, and write the headline later. That would be my advice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-74103915007370697782009-06-24T12:20:41.191-04:002009-06-24T12:20:41.191-04:00What's the point of this Web site? You're ...What's the point of this Web site? You're this lone blogger taking anonymous potshots at the Times...why?<br /><br />The comments here have already made it clear that errors, omissions, and bad judgment can be found at any media organization.<br /><br />A media-watchdog site is a great idea. Why not open it up to CNN, WSJ, USA Today, NPR, etc? And, of course, the Times too.<br /><br />You'd have much better material to choose from, and you wouldn't come across so much like some peevish former Timesman with an axe to grind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-39884725358866346352009-06-23T21:50:40.581-04:002009-06-23T21:50:40.581-04:00FOSE exhibitors include Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasoni...FOSE exhibitors include Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic and Sun. They're selling gadgets to everyone and the government just happens to be one customer. <br /><br />http://www.fose.com/index.cfm?do=exh.pubSearchExhibitorsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-37751214322414100692009-06-23T21:47:34.843-04:002009-06-23T21:47:34.843-04:00Am I reading correctly? Just because Pandora is sa...Am I reading correctly? Just because Pandora is said to be the enemy of the NAB, it's okay to be a keynote for an organization that doesn't even claim that its conferences in Vegas are educational. <br /><br />Here's what the NAB says on the page announcing Pogue's keynote:<br /><br />"... NAB advances their interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. "<br /><br />But I guess that the part about "seizing new opportunities in the digital age" doesn't apply here. After all, the NAB will just ignore Pandora because it's the enemy.<br /><br />Just dig a bit deeper.<br /><br />Pogue writes about the broadcast flag:<br /><br />http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/the-broadcast-flag-rears-its-ugly-head/<br /><br />The NAB cares deeply about that topic:<br /><br />http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Small_Market_Television_Exchange1&CONTENTID=5176&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm<br /><br />http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Position_Statements1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=2684<br /><br />[dozens more files are available if you dig for a second.]<br /><br />Not enough? How about HD Radio:<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/technology/personaltech/09pogue.html<br /><br />Here's NAB lobbying on that topic:<br /><br />http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Releases1&CONTENTID=13121&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm<br /><br />This is just one example. I'm sure some of his talks are charitable and devoted to true educational opportunities outside of Vegas. <br /><br />These aren't silly examples.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-52023552918603086952009-06-23T20:02:39.486-04:002009-06-23T20:02:39.486-04:00You could probably dig up stuff like this on any m...You could probably dig up stuff like this on any major columnist for any paper--but in this case, most of your Pogue speaking examples are pretty silly.<br /><br />For example, Macworld Expo does not pay its speakers.<br /><br />Internet radio is generally considered the ENEMY of terrestrial radio, so his speaking at the NAB and then writing about Pandora is anything but a conflict of interest.<br /><br />And Pogue does not write about government tech--his domain is consumer technology--so the government confabs are a bit of a stretch, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-24592031275978985502009-06-23T14:10:58.825-04:002009-06-23T14:10:58.825-04:00So I just typed "david pogue keynote" in...So I just typed "david pogue keynote" into Google and found he's been a busy guy. While some of the conferences seem to be obviously educational and charitable (pause for some praise), some look like they're entirely funded by the industries he covers.<br /><br /># "All the major business stakeholders in the NFC mobile payments ecosystem are gathering at CTST 2008...David Pogue, the humorous, tech-savvy New York Times technology columnist and Emmy-winning CBS news correspondent, will keynote the event luncheon. " <br /><br />From http://www.ctst.com/CTST08/pdf/NFC.pdf<br /><br />But here he is writing about the payments ecosystem:<br /><br />http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/a-primer-on-smart-cards/ <br /><br /># "We had an absolute blast while appearing at Macworld 2006. David Pogue is a fantastic talk show host, and he really made the whole experience such a pleasure." <br /><br /> From http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joystuff/davidpoguelive.html <br /><br />Apple was the biggest sponsor of MacWorld until recently.<br /><br /># " David Pogue, New York Times columnist and Emmy-winning technology correspondent for CBS News Sunday Morning, will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, September 17 during The NAB Radio Show in Austin. " <br /><br />From: http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Radio&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=12737<br /><br />Pogue frequently covers applications like Pandora. http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/tis-the-season-for-free-stuff/ <br /><br /># "New York Times Personal Technology Columnist David Pogue gave the second keynote during the 20th annual Government Technology Conference (GTC) West, held in Sacramento, Calif., from May 14-18, 2007." <br /><br /> From http://www.govtech.com/gt/photos/123139 <br /><br /><br /># "FOSE 2008, the most comprehensive event for government information technology (IT) professionals, today announced its keynote lineup. ... New York Times columnist, Missing Manual publisher, and Emmy-winning CBS News Correspondent David Pogue; " <br /><br /> I think that FOSE is mainly devoted to selling tech to government agencies, but even that sounds sort of like lobbying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-45495988371700687122009-06-23T07:04:32.904-04:002009-06-23T07:04:32.904-04:00Wow. Mossberg makes Pogue look innocent by compari...Wow. Mossberg makes Pogue look innocent by comparison. This really stinks. <br /><br />And Mossberg supposedly makes close to $1m from the WSJ alone:<br /><br />http://gawker.com/tech/walt-mossberg/the-richest-gadget-hack-in-history-258327.php<br /><br />You would think that a salary like that would let him avoid the temptation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-11763394968357930672009-06-22T23:47:45.566-04:002009-06-22T23:47:45.566-04:00Thanks to anonymous above for setting the story st...Thanks to anonymous above for setting the story straight about Mossberg. Can anyone recommend an ethical personal technology columnist for me to read?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-82228605151620332062009-06-22T23:27:22.213-04:002009-06-22T23:27:22.213-04:00"Walt Mossberg would never take money from th..."Walt Mossberg would never take money from the Consumer Electronics Association. He's an ethical journalist"<br /><br />Are you KIDDING?<br /><br />Mossberg is the man who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars each year from his "D: All Things Digital" conference--whose stars are the CEOs of the companies he covers. You think he can be objective after persuading Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos to be the star attractions at his show?<br /><br />This is the man who collects speaking fees from speaking at events like this one (http://bit.ly/MGnNO), "a private organization formed to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies." Isn't that exactly your problem with Pogue's speaking gig?<br /><br />He also addresses venture-capitalist groups like this one (http://bit.ly/CZEWe), which are investors in the very products he reviews.<br /><br />And he speaks at cellphone industry events like this one (http://bit.ly/qheIo)--and then, after accepting payment, goes on to review those companies' products.<br /><br />Look, Pogue may have stepped over the line. But I don't think Mossberg is the guy you want to be your ethical yardstick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-48498326500002260472009-06-22T22:55:32.680-04:002009-06-22T22:55:32.680-04:00Interesting that Pogue, who usually twitters all t...Interesting that Pogue, who usually twitters all the time, hasn't posted a tweet since this story came out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-33013844657906812262009-06-22T21:43:12.973-04:002009-06-22T21:43:12.973-04:00Obviously Pogue broke the rules, or the Times woul...Obviously Pogue broke the rules, or the Times wouldn't have bothered giving NYTPicker a statement. If you read Mathis's statement it's clear the Times is pissed. <br /><br />Walt Mossberg would never take money from the Consumer Electronics Association. He's an ethical journalist. Pogue is a hack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-53428185920418741582009-06-22T21:07:50.887-04:002009-06-22T21:07:50.887-04:00Good point about the honorary degree. The school m...Good point about the honorary degree. The school may not pay you in money, but ego stroking is a more powerful currency in some parts of the world. Sigh. If only I had more money, I could be happy with ego stroking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-32716958399239320322009-06-22T21:03:07.315-04:002009-06-22T21:03:07.315-04:00How about if they receive an honorary degree? Thin...How about if they receive an honorary degree? Think you'll ever see criticism of the institution from them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-69248727081831906642009-06-22T19:55:16.881-04:002009-06-22T19:55:16.881-04:00I think these are just guidelines and the real tes...I think these are just guidelines and the real test is who is covering what. The Red Cross might be a real charity with a huge educational component, but a reporter covering what the Red Cross did in New Orleans shouldn't accept a big payment to speak at the Red Cross dinner. Nor should someone covering educational issues accept a big payment to speak at a college.<br /><br />(And I realize it's cool for the NY columnists to speak at commencements but I think they shouldn't write about educational issues then. Well, if they accept payment. If it's all on their own dime, then I don't think it's as a big a deal. )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-79486597758436724052009-06-22T19:08:43.659-04:002009-06-22T19:08:43.659-04:00If you think it's all right for journalists to...If you think it's all right for journalists to receive hefty payments and other emoluments from the people and organizations they are supposed to be covering objectively, you don't understand one of the major basic premises of real journalism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-67742122600170067762009-06-22T18:52:47.105-04:002009-06-22T18:52:47.105-04:00Well, there you have it. Pogue was right: The CEA ...Well, there you have it. Pogue was right: The CEA fully meets the Times guidelines for speaking engagements.<br /><br />It's nonprofit, it's educational, and lobbying is not a major focus. <br /><br />So what's the problem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-67744810041479203102009-06-22T17:02:55.803-04:002009-06-22T17:02:55.803-04:00Well, there you have it. The head of the CEA admit...Well, there you have it. The head of the CEA admits that its job is to grow the gadget business. Sure, it has an educational component, but that loophole was intended for colleges not industry groups.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-75737199289804600912009-06-22T16:01:30.651-04:002009-06-22T16:01:30.651-04:00On behalf of CEA, I'd like to offer some facts...On behalf of CEA, I'd like to offer some facts to clarify the record. I do appreciate having been contacted by NYTPicker for the opportunity to comment on this story. I can only claim expertise as to CEA itself, not the NYT's policies, and I thought some further information might help inform your readers.<br /><br />(1) Non-profit status. NYTPicker writes that CEA is "technically a nonprofit organization." To clarify, we are indeed a nonprofit organization -- specifically, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit -- and we are certified by the IRS as such.<br />(2) Education. CEA provides education and training to tens of thousands of industry professionals each year. Our CEKnowHow program trains retail sales representatives on technology and industry trends. Our MECP (Mobile Electronic Certified Professional) program trains in-vehicle technicians. Our ESPA (Electronic Systems Professional Alliance) training program trains and certifies in-home electronics installers. Our DHTI program (Digital Home Technology Integrator) trains and certifies digital home network installers. Our Professional Audio-Video Specialist program certifies retail sales knowledge of audio-video technology. Again, these are all training, education and certification programs provided by CEA. More information is at www.ce.org<br />(3) Government affairs and lobbying. NYTPicker correctly reports that CEA's government affairs activities constitute 4% of the Association's annual expenditures and less than 5% of the Association's staff. As I'm sure NYTPicker readers are aware, nearly all large nonprofit organizations -- from the Red Cross to PETA to the largest religious organizations in the country -- have government affairs operations. Ours happens to constitute a very small percentage of our overall budget and activities.<br />(4) Mission of CEA. Since our inception in 1924 as the Radio Manufacturers Association, our mission has been to grow our industry. Specifically, NYTPicker correctly reports that CEA's stated mission is to "grow the consumer electronics industry." We do so through market research, standards setting activities, consumer education, and of course we produce the world's largest tradeshow for technology -- the International CES, held each January in Las Vegas. As a trade association, we don't sell any products or promote any brands. We even have our own journalists on staff -- Vision Magazine, CEA's flagship publication, has more than 20,000 subscribers.<br /><br />I can be reached at joxman@ce.org for any additional information. <br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />Jason Oxman<br />Senior Vice President<br />Industry Affairs<br />CEAJason Oxman, CEAhttp://www.ce.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-193996777532838742009-06-22T13:02:51.198-04:002009-06-22T13:02:51.198-04:00Pogue's had ethical problems before with the N...Pogue's had ethical problems before with the NYT. Last time, I believe, it was getting a hard-drive fixed--for free.<br /><br />Add to that the fact that he's almost never met an Apple he didn't polish--well, maybe his time has come. <br /><br />With the demise of printed computer ;ublications, there are a lot of good tech journalists floating around loose. Maybe the Times should start looking....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-15747171794047679962009-06-22T12:46:11.135-04:002009-06-22T12:46:11.135-04:00Why do people come to this website just to trash i...Why do people come to this website just to trash its items? I for one am grateful it exists. Clearly these people are getting no money for their efforts (the lack of advertising) and no fame/recognition (they're anonymous). So why don't people stop searching for weaknesses in NYTPicker, and appreciate its strengths, and its value?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-48559073784055678642009-06-22T12:41:37.564-04:002009-06-22T12:41:37.564-04:00I am not posing as a member of the Ethical Police....I am not posing as a member of the Ethical Police.<br />I'm a recovering journalist who has attended CES at least 12 years, who has been on the receiving end of their mailings, and who has visited their swag-filled press room when there were goodies galore for people who cover the show.<br />If you're going to fault Pogue, you should slap every pass-wearing presser who ever did a story on the CES Top Ten Innovations, or boogied with a robot for the noon show live shot, or took the Toshiba rolling backpack and the free reporters' notebooks.<br />Give me a break.<br />If you're a reporter and you go to the show, you're in their pocket in some form or fashion, simply by dint of how the layout steers attendees to certain booths, the signage placement that's designed to be glittery standup background, the special access for VIP interviews, what EVER.<br />I'd say the average scribe who goes to CES is much more likely to be swayed by their seduction than someone like Pogue, who doesn't "need" them as much as they "need" him, much like the NYTimes "needs" him.<br />He built his personal brand. He reaps the rewards. These days, all journos are being advised to go and do likewise if they want to eat in the years ahead.<br />Disclaimer: I've met Pogue at TED. He wouldn't know me from the proverbial hole in the ground.Ruth Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815979423018810965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-69740356410780248562009-06-22T12:36:35.410-04:002009-06-22T12:36:35.410-04:00Well, here he goes again. His "rave" rev...Well, here he goes again. His "rave" reviews are embarrassing - they read like manufacturer's PR releases anyway... so I really don't understand his "value" to the Times. The Times has had some excellent and discerning tech writers in the past and Pogue couldn't hold a candle to most of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com