A Pavilion press conference. Wonder who came up with this splendid idea? (Argus Leader screenshot)
While I would agree partially with the Argus Leader’s managing editor Lalley’s statement – I found the statement puzzling considering I have tipped off and helped some of the journalists at his newspaper with stories. I have contributed to stories by Ellis, Hult and Kirschenmann in the past and besides one of the paper’s reporters buying me a couple shots of Patron, I have received very little credit and zero payment. Which is fine, I just think the information should be out there for the public to see, that’s why I blog, that’s why I like to contribute (The Sunday coupons are nice to, I saved $4.00 last week on soap and such).
But let’s use an example, if you watch this video you will see CEO of the Pavilion, Larry Toll talk about the Pavilion’s financials. I think it is great that the media is covering this, but it was never in the Pav’s plans to have this press conference or for them to do a presentation at the city council’s informational meeting.
It was a little chiding from me (behind the scenes) and with the help of some city officials, the Pavilion conceded to release their financials to the public in a public forum (instead of just posting them on the internets in an annual report).
Are blogs influential? Pat doesn’t think they are, yet he continues to blog about his bike rides. As Cory (Madville Times) said to me in an email about this topic;
Perhaps the Argus could adopt a more Zen approach… or maybe a judo approach: instead of fighting us or rejecting us, accept us as one more source, acknowledge us, use our own momentum to make themselves stronger.