Apparently, Garf's coworkers Walton and Johnson think it's okay to steal the content of bloggers and then refuse to give them credit or proper attribution.
We answer 300 emails per day....sometimes you don’t get to cross all of the T’s and dot all of the I’s.... Sorry I answered this on at all. This kind of rudeness deserves no reply. So don’t bother sending anything back. We don’t plagiarize anything. PS Fuck off.
Let's see if Michael Berry is answering his email. I know for a fact that he recognizes the value of blogging in this stage of media's development and this kind of rude dismissal of its value from his station's talent might come as a shock to him.
Or not. We'll see.
As a blogger, I'd feel very uncomfortable appearing on a radio station that derives revenue from the antics of a pair of "talent" that spits on and steals content from my fellow creative bloggers.
Garf's a great guy, has put a lot of trust in me, and he's helped me believe in myself. I really, really hate the fact that my reluctance to appear on a station that has Walton and Johnson would impact his show, which I feel is a very important resource for the community (especially now that Technolgy Bytes on KPFT is in doubt, Jay Lee mulling an offer in Ireland).
There needs to be more local tech content out there, not less. And I'd like to be a part of it.
I've received an answer on the subject that answers my concerns and I'm mostly satisfied with.
It boils down to the fact that, pretty much, Walton & Johnson are syndicated jerks as opposed to locally-produced jerks.
But at least everyone's been heard, their thoughts have been considered, and if they keep doing this, well, someone's willing to listen.
Hopefully, when Walton & Johnson alienate all their listeners and sponsors, that timeslot can be filled with some good old fashioned locally-produced jerks.
Lord knows, looking around Downtown every day and reading about the idiocy that METRO's pulling on a constant basis, we see and hear enough of them, right?
Better they be behind a microphone than deciding our fates.
Thank you, Michael Berry, for at least taking the time to hear everybody out. And hopefully you won't bar the doors when I ask Garf for the opportunity to calmy bring the subject up on Saturday. (I don't want to have to climb up the outside of the building with suction cups and a glass cutter again)
Comments (8)
Go on the show and talk about ethics in blogging - bring the issue up on their own radio station.
Posted by 2klbofun | April 2, 2008 9:19 AM
Posted on April 2, 2008 09:19
WOW & I like W&J! I agree, take it up on Garf's show, not showing up accomplishes nothing.
Posted by Meggeler | April 2, 2008 10:53 AM
Posted on April 2, 2008 10:53
Why expect anything else from Walton and Johnson?
I remember when KTRH's news director (now the program director there after Michael "Babe Pages" Berry's little coup) sent blogHOUSTON an email threatening legal action because we blockquoted and linked news stories from KTRH. The horror!
I guess their sense of "fair use" has changed dramatically under the new regime.
Posted by kevin whited | April 2, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on April 2, 2008 11:24
Lair,
I commend you on your stance. I added my two cents via email in your post as well as posted my own tirade on my blog (six more readers to the cause!).
I would hope they realize bloggers communicate and the same word of mouth which affects them locally, also does nationally. I pointed out I am listening to their stream over the web in Dallas, so the web is a lot more far reaching than they take into account.
Personally I agree with Say Anything about recording their stream and then posting it as a free podcast. That should get their attention.
Posted by Houston | April 2, 2008 3:12 PM
Posted on April 2, 2008 15:12
Heh, new photoshop project... SPIDERLAIR!
Posted by Houston | April 2, 2008 4:14 PM
Posted on April 2, 2008 16:14
OK, Not SPIDERLAIR, maybe LOLLAIR!
What is it with you and me photoshopping afros on you?
Posted by Houston | April 2, 2008 5:02 PM
Posted on April 2, 2008 17:02
It would be nice if the two jerks are jerked
off air if they don't mend their ways and
apologize.
I'm glad it's you and not me working in downtown.
regards,
Maggie
Posted by maggie | April 2, 2008 5:10 PM
Posted on April 2, 2008 17:10
I am glad you made your opinions known to the powers that be regarding this flagrant plagiarism. Still, boycotting Garf probably would be counter-productive. Take advantage of your connection with the affiliate and keep the dialogue open.
And if you care to make a return visit to Tech Bytes we could discuss this on our program as well.
Oh, and as to the offer in Ireland? Belated April Fools! At this time I am not going anywhere.
Posted by Jay Lee | April 3, 2008 9:03 AM
Posted on April 3, 2008 09:03