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Brian_egeston
Regular Poster
Username: Brian_egeston
Post Number: 44
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 11:59 am: | 
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Yeah, I'll admit it. I bought Jayson Blair's book. Two of them in fact. Got them autographed by Blair his mom and dad on his birthday. I'll let you know what I sell them for in about 10 years.
However, after having nothing better to do, I decided to crack open the book and began reading. And I've got one thing to say:
'Burning Down My Master's House' should be required reading for every first year journalism student. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3024
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 01:07 pm: |
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I've always tended to think that Jayson Blair was a tragic figure rather than a villain. With the passage of time, distanced from the public uproar, I think this is how he will eventually be judged. He was a sociopath out of his element in the rarified atmosphere of The New York Times, and his editors became his enablers rather than his mentors. |
Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 297
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 05:02 pm: |
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It would really be interesting to know what percentage of writers are truly ethical and competent -- seriously. I do know many journalists, Black and white, make things up for the sake of expediency, laziness, sloppiness or perhaps maliciousness. I've been directly involved or witnessed too many articles to believe otherwise.
For example, the New York Times (the paper of record) stated that I was an Investment Banker. I was never even asked the question. Another example, by the same paper: I was interviewed for about 30 minutes about Kola Boof. After the story was printed I was called AFTER the article ran to confirm whether Kola actually had a book in print!? Again the story ran without the journalist confirming something that could so easily be confirmed.
Again these errors are not limited to the NYT. In fact, the now defunct, Emerge Magazine (one of my favorites) did a three page article on AALBC.com. There were many factual errors in it. The amazing this is that the author of the very substantial article never attempted to try to contact me or anyone else associated with the site. The author did a three page article, in one of the most prominent Black magazines, without attempting to acquire a single primary or even secondary source!
About 20 years ago an old man once told me, that his father told him; "Don't believe anything you see and only half of what your read". Anther man told me; "..unless you have nine sources of information you are being lied to." Nothing I've encountered in journalism, to date, leads me to believe otherwise. |
Snakegirl
Regular Poster
Username: Snakegirl
Post Number: 40
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 07:01 pm: |
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TROY:
It would really be interesting to know what percentage of writers are truly ethical and competent
Snakegirl:
I don't think it necessarily has to do with being "ethical" or "competent"----as much as it does with the fact that the News Media has become "infected" by SHOWBIZ.
As I recently told a reporter, it's not enough to tell the truth.
It's HOW you tell that truth...that decides whether your story gets covered, printed or heard of...as opposed to the next guy.
And in my case--personally---there has been so much controversy and so many enemies...that I felt I had to fight back by any means necessary. By CREATING people that I needed to exist, by infusing my press releases with drama, by asking people to say things that could help me, etc.
Even you, Troy, SPIKED my book sales in that interview, because you wanted to help me as a brother. I appreciate you for that---but I don't think of you as "unethical" for doing it. I always loved you for that kindness.
EVERYBODY DOES IT. It's ShowBiz.
In my case, especially, it's not enough to stand for something or BE NICE...that doesn't protect someone like me. I'm an Afrocentric Female Version of Stanley Crouch with few allies.
As Derrick Bell pointed out to a critic of mines.....my being a "literary" writer with a Street Author's Attitude comes from the fact that I have no teaching creditentials--NO DEGREES to open doors for me...as most other literary writers do.
Though I'm writing real literature...I have to come in the door the same way that a Hip Hop writer does, because I have no University ensignia.
I'm forced to play the game...or be cut down. I HAVE TO BE fierce. By myself.
To survive in an atmosphere where people FEAR what they don't understand.
I do, however, stand for what I claim...and I try to help others along the way--which I've done in very major ways.
But there's a game that's being played.
WRITERS JOCKEYE TO BE HEARD, TO BE SEEN...to get by their message out.
I believe Jason Blair was just bummed out by Life--a depressed lonely black man who had "issues" that have nothing to do with writing. But in his deep depression and his cynicism....he was Lazy and took his pay check and focused on cocaine, sex and trying to "care" about being alive.
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Snakegirl
Regular Poster
Username: Snakegirl
Post Number: 41
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 07:05 pm: |
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And for the record, I have always told the truth.
But I also take my que from Louis B. Mayer (MGM) and Berry Gordy on HOW to present the truth. Unfortunately, many of us have to be built-in publicists nowadays. Ready with a "spin".
That's reality.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3049
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 09:37 pm: |
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I don't think it's surprising that the same ego that drives people to seek fame and fortune in the public domain is the same ego that motivates them to enhance their resumes. Show biz is all about hype! If telling the truth was a priority, the tabloids wouldn't be gettting rich fabricating stories about celebrities. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1630
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 12:01 pm: |
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All:
I'd take what Jayson Blair did over what Judy Miller did any day--it didn't cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars.
I remember reading my school newspaper in collge and seeing myself quoted--they had never interviewed me.
In addition to news being show biz it serves the agenda of the power structure. Stories are buried all the time, lies are reported as truth, facts are changed.
Just like Public Enemy sez
Ya can't truss it. |
Babygirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Babygirl
Post Number: 149
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 12:09 pm: |
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Snakegirl: EVERYBODY DOES IT. It's ShowBiz.
Babygirl: NO, everybody doesn't do it and just because a select few chose to doesn't mean EVERYONE finds it necessary to do so or will do so. It will always be enough to tell the truth unless of course you are so sorely dissatisfied with what your truth really is and as Cynique noted, your own ego is you sole motivation. We chose our own paths for our own reasons. Spin the truth or spin a lie however it might suit you, but in the end, that LIAR and that LIE, once discovered, will always be looked at with doubts and a wary eye simply because of the lack of integrity and ethics from the get go. But to each her own...
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1636
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 12:23 pm: |
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Babygirl:
Snakegirl is right. Everybody does do it. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3050
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 12:55 pm: |
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As you said, Babygirl, no, everybody doesn't do it.There are plenty of aspirants who don't have to lie about themselves to get ahead; either their assets are visible or their credentials authentic. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1638
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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Cynique:
You just told a whopper yourself right there. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3052
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 01:04 pm: |
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Well, chrishayen, since your only claim to celebrity is being a wannna-be alpha male on this board, I will go with BabyGirl, a proven commodity. |
Babygirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Babygirl
Post Number: 150
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 01:18 pm: |
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Rough morning, ChrisH? You sound a little cynical today. Can't believe that there is at least one individual out in this world who believes in the values of right and wrong? Who doesn't find it necessary to bend and twist and stretch fact into fiction for the sake of personal gain? That there is at least one writer in the vast spectrum of writers who can stand on his or her talents, assets, and credentials without muddying up their resume with smoke and thunder for the sake of SHOWBIZ? Because to believe there is at least one, would refute the Snake's persumptuous statement that "everybody does it". Perhaps you need to expand that short list of writers and authors you know and associate with and pick a better group of friends and mentors to run with? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3054
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 01:30 pm: |
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What can you expect from Kola's designated butt- kisser. LOL |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1642
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 01:36 pm: |
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Babygirl, Babygirl. Take a chill pill, darling.
Take resumes. A guy is a summer intern at, say Troy Johnson Enterprises. He works for the brass there. Supposed to be lightweight, gofer work. The brass likes him, talk to him, explain the business, let him sit in on meetings.
On his resume he ways he was with Troy Johnson Enterprises. When they say where, Management. When they ask him what he did he says he worked in liason with the executives, including attending board meetings and planning sessions.
He leaves it. It's the truth, but not the truth. You ever seen a showbizness resume? They put down every time they did an audition as a performance.
Hey. Look at Michael Brown.
Everybody does it. If you get caught or can't cover yourself, hey now! |
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