Comments on: Covering conventions is an waste http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/ by Jeff Jarvis Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:40:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Station to Station » Blog Archive » Jeff Jarvis: Skip the Conventions, You Ego-Fueled Drones http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-390927 Station to Station » Blog Archive » Jeff Jarvis: Skip the Conventions, You Ego-Fueled Drones Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:34:15 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-390927 [...] you’re one of the 15,000 journos heading to Denver or St. Paul in the coming weeks, media pundit Jeff Jarvis says you’re only going there to feed your ego–or at least the ego of your big [...] [...] you’re one of the 15,000 journos heading to Denver or St. Paul in the coming weeks, media pundit Jeff Jarvis says you’re only going there to feed your ego–or at least the ego of your big [...]

]]> By: RoyarrogY http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-384442 RoyarrogY Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:01:21 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-384442 Hi! <a href="http://www.citeulike.org/profile/apekoff" rel="nofollow">micardis</a> Hi! micardis

]]> By: LB's Rambles http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-381370 LB's Rambles Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:27:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-381370 <strong>Ignoring the Obvious...</strong> I have to agree with Jeff Jarvis on this one: sending 15,000 reporters to the political convention(s) is stupid. I've pretty well been ignoring the convention this week (and expect to do the same for the Republicans next week) for... Ignoring the Obvious…

I have to agree with Jeff Jarvis on this one: sending 15,000 reporters to the political convention(s) is stupid. I’ve pretty well been ignoring the convention this week (and expect to do the same for the Republicans next week) for…

]]> By: Les Blatt http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-381369 Les Blatt Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:16:49 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-381369 I've pretty well been ignoring the convention this week (and expect to do the same for the Republicans next week) for precisely the reasons outlined above. I'm old enough to remember when conventions WERE important, a chance to watch the political system in action. Not any more - it's all marketing, spin, counter-spin, and the glorious irrelevancies of perhaps 14,900 of those 15,000 "journalists." I used to be one of them; I'm relieved to be out of that rat-race. I’ve pretty well been ignoring the convention this week (and expect to do the same for the Republicans next week) for precisely the reasons outlined above. I’m old enough to remember when conventions WERE important, a chance to watch the political system in action. Not any more – it’s all marketing, spin, counter-spin, and the glorious irrelevancies of perhaps 14,900 of those 15,000 “journalists.” I used to be one of them; I’m relieved to be out of that rat-race.

]]> By: Jarvis is wrong - conventions are worth covering :: 21stnews http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-381323 Jarvis is wrong - conventions are worth covering :: 21stnews Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:44:54 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-381323 [...] Jeff Jarvis recently wrote that sending 15,000 journalists to cover a convention is a “shameful waste” and that they are merely “staged events,” etc.  I find it ironic that in a year when bloggers and citizen journalists have more access at the conventions and more distribution power than ever, an apostle of CJ dismisses the whole business.  Yes, the conventions are staged and yes, the mainstream media often focuses on the trivial or hyped controversies (e.g., “bitter” Hillary supporters who might vote for McCain).  But it’s only every four years that the parties have the opportunity to tell their own stories through their leaders and rank-and-file members in something other than 15-second sound bites.  What’s wrong with devoting some media attention to these stories?  Isn’t it better than more reports about Britney Spears?  Let’s not complain when the press gets serious. [...] [...] Jeff Jarvis recently wrote that sending 15,000 journalists to cover a convention is a “shameful waste” and that they are merely “staged events,” etc.  I find it ironic that in a year when bloggers and citizen journalists have more access at the conventions and more distribution power than ever, an apostle of CJ dismisses the whole business.  Yes, the conventions are staged and yes, the mainstream media often focuses on the trivial or hyped controversies (e.g., “bitter” Hillary supporters who might vote for McCain).  But it’s only every four years that the parties have the opportunity to tell their own stories through their leaders and rank-and-file members in something other than 15-second sound bites.  What’s wrong with devoting some media attention to these stories?  Isn’t it better than more reports about Britney Spears?  Let’s not complain when the press gets serious. [...]

]]> By: 6 vor 9 » medienlese.com http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-381287 6 vor 9 » medienlese.com Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:54:35 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-381287 [...] Oskar Piegsa) 15.000 Medienleute besuchen den demokratischen Parteitag. Eine Verschwendung, sagt Journalistikprofessor Jeff Jarvis: “Die Parteitage haben keinen Nachrichtenwert. Sie sind [...] [...] Oskar Piegsa) 15.000 Medienleute besuchen den demokratischen Parteitag. Eine Verschwendung, sagt Journalistikprofessor Jeff Jarvis: “Die Parteitage haben keinen Nachrichtenwert. Sie sind [...]

]]> By: 6 vor 9 » medienlese.com http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-381286 6 vor 9 » medienlese.com Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:54:30 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-381286 [...] Oskar Piegsa) 15.000 Medienleute besuchen den demokratischen Parteitag. Eine Verschwendung, sagt Journalistikprofessor Jeff Jarvis: “Die Parteitage haben keinen Nachrichtenwert. Sie sind [...] [...] Oskar Piegsa) 15.000 Medienleute besuchen den demokratischen Parteitag. Eine Verschwendung, sagt Journalistikprofessor Jeff Jarvis: “Die Parteitage haben keinen Nachrichtenwert. Sie sind [...]

]]> By: Conventional Thinking « The ConverStation http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-381272 Conventional Thinking « The ConverStation Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:52:08 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-381272 [...] sentiments remind me of a recent post by hyperkinetic blogger Jeff Jarvis who wants old and new media to ditch conventions altogether. [...] [...] sentiments remind me of a recent post by hyperkinetic blogger Jeff Jarvis who wants old and new media to ditch conventions altogether. [...]

]]> By: CNN Censors “Rude Giant” « Red Tory v.3.0 http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380846 CNN Censors “Rude Giant” « Red Tory v.3.0 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:57:16 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380846 [...] Jarvis may well be right about political conventions these days being nothing more than contemptible “staged events to get [...] [...] Jarvis may well be right about political conventions these days being nothing more than contemptible “staged events to get [...]

]]> By: daleyblog.com » Blog Archive » Convention coverage: http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380820 daleyblog.com » Blog Archive » Convention coverage: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:58:23 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380820 [...] journalists covering a forgone conclusion. Jeff Jarvis says it’s a waste and he may be right. But I’ll be in Denver, not as a journalist but as an observer and [...] [...] journalists covering a forgone conclusion. Jeff Jarvis says it’s a waste and he may be right. But I’ll be in Denver, not as a journalist but as an observer and [...]

]]> By: Russ Smith http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380807 Russ Smith Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:43:52 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380807 http://www.splicetoday.com/politics-and-media/obama-muzzle-the-media http://www.splicetoday.com/politics-and-media/obama-muzzle-the-media

]]> By: Dave http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380799 Dave Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:01:54 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380799 "If I were a newspaper editor, I would proudly make the point that I’m not sending anyone to the conventions. I’ll use the power of the internet to find and summarize the best coverage there is. I’ll do what I do best and just link to the rest." So you feel there must be *some* coverage, at least? How much? If not 15,000 reporters, then how many? And should they be from AP, NYT, bloggers, CNN, or elsewhere? “If I were a newspaper editor, I would proudly make the point that I’m not sending anyone to the conventions. I’ll use the power of the internet to find and summarize the best coverage there is. I’ll do what I do best and just link to the rest.”

So you feel there must be *some* coverage, at least? How much? If not 15,000 reporters, then how many? And should they be from AP, NYT, bloggers, CNN, or elsewhere?

]]> By: /++//++//++//++//++//++/ » Blog Archive http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380762 /++//++//++//++//++//++/ » Blog Archive Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:31:24 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380762 [...] “It’s the terror of 168. Every week you need to fill 168 hours of air time. The conventions are a gift, easy to cover, no real investigative reporting needed, lots of visual glitz and, perhaps, even a bit of violence on the streets.” www.buzzmachine.com… [...] [...] “It’s the terror of 168. Every week you need to fill 168 hours of air time. The conventions are a gift, easy to cover, no real investigative reporting needed, lots of visual glitz and, perhaps, even a bit of violence on the streets.” http://www.buzzmachine.com…; [...]

]]> By: Hillary Democrats United » Blog Archive » Campaign Updates for 8/15/08 http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380740 Hillary Democrats United » Blog Archive » Campaign Updates for 8/15/08 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:38:32 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380740 [...] also Jeff Jarvis:   “Covering conventions is an waste.”  However, if they’d help us mount an insurrection, they’d again start to get much higher [...] [...] also Jeff Jarvis:   “Covering conventions is an waste.”  However, if they’d help us mount an insurrection, they’d again start to get much higher [...]

]]> By: Hillary’s Voice » Campaign Updates and Media Headlines 8/15/08 http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380722 Hillary’s Voice » Campaign Updates and Media Headlines 8/15/08 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:16:12 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380722 [...] home and let political junkies turn to C-SPAN for convention coverage. See also Jeff Jarvis: “Covering conventions is an waste”. However, if they’d help us mount an insurrection, they’d again start to get lots of [...] [...] home and let political junkies turn to C-SPAN for convention coverage. See also Jeff Jarvis: “Covering conventions is an waste”. However, if they’d help us mount an insurrection, they’d again start to get lots of [...]

]]> By: Make Them Accountable / Media & Politics http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380720 Make Them Accountable / Media & Politics Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:01:38 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380720 [...] home and let political junkies turn to C-SPAN for convention coverage. See also Jeff Jarvis: “Covering conventions is an waste”.  However, if they’d help us mount an insurrection, they’d again start to get much higher [...] [...] home and let political junkies turn to C-SPAN for convention coverage. See also Jeff Jarvis: “Covering conventions is an waste”.  However, if they’d help us mount an insurrection, they’d again start to get much higher [...]

]]> By: Marcos http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380713 Marcos Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:54:27 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380713 duneview, I'm not the one crying about the state of journalism day in and day out, but thanks for the advice. BTW, I'd be happy to show you how to create a working hyperlink on the internet if you'd like. duneview, I’m not the one crying about the state of journalism day in and day out, but thanks for the advice. BTW, I’d be happy to show you how to create a working hyperlink on the internet if you’d like.

]]> By: Rick http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380712 Rick Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:44:45 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380712 Good point, that the show is the meta-show about the coverage, not the content itself. You don't watch TV to get news, do you? OTOH what is, and is not, "covered" is the information you can get from watching newshows. Good point, that the show is the meta-show about the coverage, not the content itself. You don’t watch TV to get news, do you? OTOH what is, and is not, “covered” is the information you can get from watching newshows.

]]> By: Jason Barnett http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380694 Jason Barnett Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:27:16 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380694 To second my colleague's comments above, we (the uptake) have been much more interested in what's happening outside than in - *and* to cover the main point of this post, the excessive focus and expense the legacy media is spending to cover a scripted story. When we started thinking about convention coverage, my two concerns have always been the actual reporting of "the story." It seems to me that the legacy media has traditionally given the Party's party gilded coverage while providing police footage of whatever protest might occur. They do this with excessive expense and over-the-top manufactured drama. Come on, we know what's going to happen here. Granted, if we get a surprise, we'll need a camera or two on it, but the story is pre-scripted. My criticism doesn't end with the Legacy media. I've spoken with a few "new" media organizations who because of the lack of an anointed credential, they've decided to limit their presence. To me that is mimicking the mistake of their fading peers. I will disagree to a point. There *is* a story this year at the conventions, and it needs to be documented - it is an historical election. And, I think this post focuses on the other *real* story - the gluttonous nature of a bloated imperial media. Will they point their cameras on the protesters and really dig into why they are there? Will they reveal how much they are spending on this coverage? We hope to do both of those things. While the imperial media follows the script, the Huns are at the city walls, and we have cameras too. To second my colleague’s comments above, we (the uptake) have been much more interested in what’s happening outside than in – *and* to cover the main point of this post, the excessive focus and expense the legacy media is spending to cover a scripted story.

When we started thinking about convention coverage, my two concerns have always been the actual reporting of “the story.” It seems to me that the legacy media has traditionally given the Party’s party gilded coverage while providing police footage of whatever protest might occur. They do this with excessive expense and over-the-top manufactured drama. Come on, we know what’s going to happen here. Granted, if we get a surprise, we’ll need a camera or two on it, but the story is pre-scripted.

My criticism doesn’t end with the Legacy media. I’ve spoken with a few “new” media organizations who because of the lack of an anointed credential, they’ve decided to limit their presence. To me that is mimicking the mistake of their fading peers.

I will disagree to a point. There *is* a story this year at the conventions, and it needs to be documented – it is an historical election. And, I think this post focuses on the other *real* story – the gluttonous nature of a bloated imperial media. Will they point their cameras on the protesters and really dig into why they are there? Will they reveal how much they are spending on this coverage? We hope to do both of those things.

While the imperial media follows the script, the Huns are at the city walls, and we have cameras too.

]]> By: BuzzMachine: Covering conventions is an waste « Social Media University, Global (SMUG) http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380693 BuzzMachine: Covering conventions is an waste « Social Media University, Global (SMUG) Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:23:32 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380693 [...] Jeff’s entire post, including his counter-argument to the “we’re covering our local delegations” [...] [...] Jeff’s entire post, including his counter-argument to the “we’re covering our local delegations” [...]

]]> By: Noah Kunin http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380692 Noah Kunin Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:40:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380692 Excellent post Jeff. We (theuptake.org) have been struggling on what the actual "story" of the DNCC/RNCC really is, given your points above. It's been a difficult conversation since we've come to many of the same conclusions. We're going to keep our cameras out of the actual convention halls as much as possible: hopefully there will be more news outside than in.... ...or maybe the story is this post - the fact that there are so many resources being expended on this as opposed to other things. Basically, this is payoff day. Excellent post Jeff. We (theuptake.org) have been struggling on what the actual “story” of the DNCC/RNCC really is, given your points above. It’s been a difficult conversation since we’ve come to many of the same conclusions. We’re going to keep our cameras out of the actual convention halls as much as possible: hopefully there will be more news outside than in….

…or maybe the story is this post – the fact that there are so many resources being expended on this as opposed to other things. Basically, this is payoff day.

]]> By: Taylor http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380691 Taylor Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:17:26 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380691 { "Why are these news organizations sending so many staffers there? } Because most are not news-organizations, as they claim. They are entertainment & marketing organizations. If one visits a restaurant boldly advertising its product as "French Gourmet Cuisine" -- but it primarily serves cheeseburgers, pizza & shakes ... they are charlatans, no matter what their claims or history. So too with most American "news-organizations", especially TV network & cable 'news'. They trumpet themselves as professional journalists... but their daily output is merely popular amusement. { “Why are these news organizations sending so many staffers there? }

Because most are not news-organizations, as they claim.

They are entertainment & marketing organizations.

If one visits a restaurant boldly advertising its product as “French Gourmet Cuisine” — but it primarily serves cheeseburgers, pizza & shakes … they are charlatans, no matter what their claims or history.

So too with most American “news-organizations”, especially TV network & cable ‘news’. They trumpet themselves as professional journalists… but their daily output is merely popular amusement.

]]> By: Digidave http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380688 Digidave Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:43:42 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380688 Imagine the total number of local stories the country (and different regions) are going to miss out on. Imagine the total number of local stories the country (and different regions) are going to miss out on.

]]> By: Bob Collins http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380687 Bob Collins Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:12:41 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380687 Wow. I'm actually surprised a schooled journalist can be so completely wrong. The only way you go to a convention and not come away with some legitimate news, is if you go to a convention and don't look for legitimate news, preferring to feed the nonsense instead. Journalists, heal thyselves <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2008/08/no_news_at_the_conventions.shtml" rel="nofollow">Read this</a> Wow. I’m actually surprised a schooled journalist can be so completely wrong.

The only way you go to a convention and not come away with some legitimate news, is if you go to a convention and don’t look for legitimate news, preferring to feed the nonsense instead.

Journalists, heal thyselves

Read this

]]> By: David http://www.buzzmachine.com/2008/08/14/covering-conventions-is-an-waste/#comment-380686 David Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:00:20 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=3784#comment-380686 Surely some news organizations (ie The New York Times, CNN, etc.) would want to send somebody - I mean, this is each party's long-form "pitch" to the public. It is all smoke and mirrors and B.S., but it is their chance to put up the best smoke and mirrors and B.S. display they are capable of, as a preview of the B.S. we can expect should that party be catipulted into (or retain) the White House. Thing is, the news coverage is the most interesting thing about the conventions - if they're going to eat up hours of prime time network TV (as well as cable news and C-Span) we might as well get the neat writing about backstage antics, in-fighting, delegate confrontations, and whacky outfits. As long as the show is being broadcast, we should get the all-around story. I do agree with much of your sentiment though...I think we do with a lot less coverage about the presidential election overall, where the candidate's differences are pretty well known, and from here on it is mostly just about ads and insults. Surely some news organizations (ie The New York Times, CNN, etc.) would want to send somebody – I mean, this is each party’s long-form “pitch” to the public. It is all smoke and mirrors and B.S., but it is their chance to put up the best smoke and mirrors and B.S. display they are capable of, as a preview of the B.S. we can expect should that party be catipulted into (or retain) the White House.

Thing is, the news coverage is the most interesting thing about the conventions – if they’re going to eat up hours of prime time network TV (as well as cable news and C-Span) we might as well get the neat writing about backstage antics, in-fighting, delegate confrontations, and whacky outfits. As long as the show is being broadcast, we should get the all-around story. I do agree with much of your sentiment though…I think we do with a lot less coverage about the presidential election overall, where the candidate’s differences are pretty well known, and from here on it is mostly just about ads and insults.

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