I love Mark's quote: "I don't ever cede anything... you either know I have a blog when you interview me, or you are a dumbass. If you ask me not to report our exchange on my blog, which has been done, then I decide if I want that protection or not."
Mark is spot on: how do you interview a blogger and not know and read their blog?! Hello?!
> What are your thoughts on the nature of the interview itself?
I like doing interviews on email, but I don't like doing them on the
phone because I get misquoted often.
phone because I get misquoted often.
> Do you own your words, or do you voluntarily give them up in the
> process of the interview?
By granting the interview I'm giving people permission to use my
words, but I still own them and can do what I want with them.
I make a call on a case-by-case basis.
If someone wants to own them exclusively they would need to have me
sign a release--like documentary filmmakers do.
words, but I still own them and can do what I want with them.
I make a call on a case-by-case basis.
If someone wants to own them exclusively they would need to have me
sign a release--like documentary filmmakers do.
> Even if it's the former, isn't there a good faith assumption that you
> will grant the journalist as a sort of first right of refusal to your
> words, so they might print them at the time of their choosing in the
> context of their choosing?
There is no agreement unless someone makes an agreement.
I tell folks I'm going to do it now, since one person got upset about
it (she didn't read my blog, and I accidentally put her email in my
cut and paste--which I never do).
I tell folks I'm going to do it now, since one person got upset about
it (she didn't read my blog, and I accidentally put her email in my
cut and paste--which I never do).
> Doesn't your publishing the interview instantaneously on your blog
> ruin the value of that interview for the journalist, who is
> essentially trading on the relative scarcity of your words and their
> relative value within the context of their stories?
Not always. I don't have MediaBistro's audience coming to my blog, so
as far as 99% of your readers are concerned they are reading it for
the first time there. Of course, that percentage could change by news
source.
If someone wants me to hold back the interview until their story comes
out I'll do that. I understand the value of information issue.
as far as 99% of your readers are concerned they are reading it for
the first time there. Of course, that percentage could change by news
source.
If someone wants me to hold back the interview until their story comes
out I'll do that. I understand the value of information issue.
> When do you feel it's a appropriate to publish an interview yourself?
Any time I want!
> Do you recommend the practice to other bloggers?
Of course, it keeps journalists from quoting you out of context and
you get content for your blog. My blog exists so I can communicate
with my team, my family, my friends, and associates. Why should I have
to type these things up twice?!?!
you get content for your blog. My blog exists so I can communicate
with my team, my family, my friends, and associates. Why should I have
to type these things up twice?!?!
> Do you ever discuss the matter with journalists beforehand as part of
> ground rules discussions?
I've started doing that, yes.
> Have you ever stated a policy on your own site? (I haven't been able
> to find one yet.)
I'll publish this one on my blog right now, unless you tell me you
want to wait until your story comes out. :-)
best j
1. It's probably not a bad idea to have an email policy, either. When I was actively running gvod I had a policy that said anything you email me is fair game for inclusion in a post and only your name can be withheld upon request. One time I got interviewed by the Long Island paper and wasn't misquoted, and once my words were reconstrued by a local reporter (Vermont) to sound as though they were her idea (on using wifi to help tourists). I like how some news agencies let you read or hear the full thing on their websites when they can't fit them into their stories. It's a good policy in general.
Posted at 2:43PM on Aug 28th 2006 by Michael Martine