The blogger / journalist hall of mirrors

I was a journalist, reporter and editor, for a decade plus (for The Atlanta Constitution, Roll Call and other publications). Yeah, there was life pre-Web. Now I'm a... well, blogger among other things (speaker, consultant, e-newsletter publisher). Even so, I've been shaking my head about this new hall of mirrors. Am I a blogger to be courted by...  journalists? Am I a journalist... to be courted by corporate PR execs? Both? Neither??

The hall of mirrors thing has happened to me twice now.

Last week Heather Green of BusinessWeek, co-author of Blogspotting.net, called me for a quote for the BW article about Microsoft (Troubling Exits, Sept. 26, 2005 cover story). She asked what I knew about the Mini Microsoft blog. Not much, I confessed. (I didn't get quoted.)

We hung up.

Five minutes later, she called back to make sure I wasn't going to blog BW's forthcoming story based on Mini Microsoft. Forbes' story on Microsoft's middle age was already out. I won't, I promised. And didn't. Until the story was published. See Corporate Blogging 2.0.

Three days ago I decided to register for DaimlerChrysler's new Firehouse blog - "open to media and industry analysts only." I didn't expect to be approved as I'm not really a member of the media. OK, like any other self-respecting blogger I try and get free passes to conferences. But you know what I mean...

To my considerable surprise, I was "approved" and given a login to get into the Firehouse blog within minutes. I was puzzled...

Here's why I was let in, from Firehouse blog editorial director Ed Garsten:

"Thanks for the fair coverage on your site and your generous use of my comments. I have to say, several other blogs resorted to kneejerk non-sensical rhetoric without once contacting us. 

I did grant you access because I researched your credentials and I thought it would be a good idea if someone who seemed like she would make a fair, open and educated assessment of TheFirehouse had  a chance to come inside, perhaps we'd get a fair shake. You didn't disappoint me."

Make of that what you will. I'm still mulling it over. One conclusion... I'm not snarky enough and Ed knew it. Darn.

Comments

[Jon Lowder]

Sounds to me like Ed has a clue. You're a writer that has "the chops" and he recognized that.

From the corporate practitioner's standpoint I think it's wise to evaluate all "media" based on their individual merits and not their choice of medium.

Now if he were to let somebody like me in then I'd have to question his judgement:)