Tuesday, June 19, 2012

I'm going to rename the blog Voldemort

They dare not say my name.

I just watched a Fox 8 Lee Zurik story where he staked a huge claim in uncovering the machinations of Frank Fradella and Aaron Bennett.  He cited Fox 8 and the Times Picayune as the media resources who uncovered everything we now know about the snakes on the plane.

I also read Gordon Russell's story today on Fradella's plea deal and the timeline they created on how everything unfolded.  They stuck a few flags in the landscape of the story that I found interesting.

You know, I'm not claiming that AZ solely broke the Fradella and Bennett issues...I think it was a combination of facts that surfaced on all of the media resources listed above.  I'm not discrediting the crucial work of The TP reporters or Lee Zurik in bringing Fradella, Bennett and eventually Ray Nagin to justice.  And I'm not pouting, whining or crying over the TP and Fox 8's refusal to acknowledge AZ's contributions to this story.

I've become somewhat numb to the snubbery. 

But considering the latest developments with the TP, both Slabbed (I will take the liberty of speaking for Doug) and I have noticed some disconcerting trends among our local MSM resources particularly the TP reporters...or what's left of them.  I don't mind being left off the bandwagon, as is the case with Fradella/Bennett, but being fleeced without any recognition of your efforts is a bit much.  I think that has happened to both Slabbed and AZ within the past few weeks.

If it is the policy of Newhouse or any other local MSM entity not to cite blogs or acknowledge the information we uncover....then I fully expect them not to use the information we uncover.

If Newhouse is convinced the future of journalism is online, they should probably take note of the common courtesy online entities show for one another and if that doesn't ring a bell for them perhaps they should read the stipulations of the creative commons license attached to this blog and many others their employees may choose to data mine.

If Newhouse wants to "scale down" and move everything online....the divide between them and us has significantly lessened.  They may consider themselves "game changers" but they need to understand that the online game has been here for a while and there are rules and codes of conduct that have already been established.

And....for shits and giggles...I'd like to see any TP or MSM article that broached the Cornerstone Marble and Granite angle before Thursday, May 17, 2007.  I am very sure AZ was the first to make the connection between Cornerstone and Stone Age.  I know that because I spent the whole day researching the subsidiary companies of HSOA and I remember the bells going off when I found Cornerstone.

Learning to tip your hat is a gentlemanly act.           

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

well, the light has finally went off. as you said before, TP is dead. you are a competitor not a contributor. game on.

Anonymous said...

Um, wait a minute. It's more than a matter of being gentlemanly, it's J-school 101: attribute, attribute, attribute. And if you pass it off as your own work, isn't that called plagiarism? Jayson Blair, anyone?

Anonymous said...

I contribute financially to both AZ and Slabbed. I DO NOT do so to TP or Fox 8 precisely because I do not trust their reporting. They are too chummy with the very thugs they are 'investigating'.
Word on the street has always been that Zurik does not have an original thought in him. AND, that when he was sidelined because he jumped ship from WWL and couldn't get out of his non-compete, Val Bracy was denied interns, research bunnies etc because Lee was threatened. HE on the other hand has numerous 'helpers'. And most of what he 'discovers' is handed to him on a silver platter. What a joke.

Jason and Doug: you guys rock.

The TP and MSM TV had best check with their legal advisors re theft of Intellectual Property.

Mojofearless said...

From one writer to another, tell them like it is, Dambala! You've busted your ass for years on this scandal, and you do deserve the common courtesy/much-touted industry protocol of attribution where it's due. Anything else on Zurik's or he TP's part is unethical (of course, as far as TP is concerned - join the club - a particular editor there did that to me 15 years ago and fuck him very much).
And Anonymous has inspired me wih his comment(see how that works? Crediting people when it's due?), so I'm going to put my money where my mouth is. I support hard-hitting investigative journalism. And right now I will support it with my dollars. Dollars that could have gone to Newhouse if they weren't being total douchebags to you and a bunch of other talented people. Let's see... 18.95 a month, and they're giving everybody the finger in September, equals check your paypal.

Love, Fearless

Mojofearless said...

From one writer to another, tell them like it is, Dambala! You've busted your ass for years on this scandal, and you do deserve the common courtesy/much-touted industry protocol of attribution where it's due. Anything else on Zurik's or he TP's part is unethical (of course, as far as TP is concerned - join the club - a particular editor there did that to me 15 years ago and fuck him very much).
And Anonymous has inspired me wih his comment(see how that works? Crediting people?), so I'm going to put my money where my mouth is. I support hard-hitting investigative journalism. And right now I will support it with my dollars. Dollars that could have gone to Newhouse if they weren't being total douchebags. Let's see... 18.95 a month, and they're giving everybody the finger in September, equals... check your paypal.

Anonymous said...

Great timing Dambala. This story sounds so familiar:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/06/diana_bajoie_now_on_new_orlean.html#incart_river

Jason Brad Berry said...

Thank you. Thank all of you.

It's a lonely world I live in but you guys bring me home.

Jason Brad Berry said...

I know you Ash...I know you in a way most people can't possibly comprehend.

Much love.

lockemuptight said...

Jason: Mucho grads to you bro'.You helped put Ray Ray hopefully where he will Stay Stay for many Ya Yas--- in the industrial arts dept. at Angola----- wait for it--------- polishing chocolate counter tops.

Jason Brad Berry said...

Thank you, Mojo!

$75.80.

I owe you a drink and then some!

Anonymous said...

Never underestimate the level of douchebaggery in this little corner of paradise we live in......

Jason Brad Berry said...

Me? I'm douchebagging it?