As a blogger, I frequently share my opinion on a number of topics. That sometimes includes current events or newsworthy items.
However, I never put myself forth as a journalist. While I prefer to have my facts straight, I must confess that I don't always get it right.
But I believe those who report news have a much bigger obligation to accurately report stories. Don't you agree?
I can't tell you how many times I have encountered lazy journalists who just don't do their homework.
Just this week I sent out a press release related to our new iPhone app, The KaChing Button, and the sweepstakes we are currently holding.
Here is the story that was sent out in a press release and directly to members of the online media...
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=487436fe-f063-48e8-bf2e-e7efb525157c)
The KaChing Button is a novelty application featuring a green button with a dollar sign (or other currency) on its front. When pushed, the app makes a cash-register 'ka-ching!" sound.
From February 15 - March 16th, 2010, owners may participate in the KaChing Button "Push it and Win" Sweepstakes, where they can win up to $1000 on any given day. The minimum prize for any day is guaranteed to be $100 cash.
The terms and conditions of the offer are clear. You have to be at least eighteen-years old and a U.S. resident to win. Other means of entry have also been made available so that no purchase is necessary to enter.
I presented this to the media as news for reasons that go beyond the obvious sweepstakes angle.
Up until a couple weeks ago, Apple would not allow sweepstakes and contests to be held in apps. At the very least, they would reject your app if you have any info about a contest or sweepstakes in the iTunes appstore description.
However, with the release of the new Appstore software development kit, Apple has changed their tune. Following the text which appears in the developer agreement.
"3.3.17 Your Application may include promotional sweepstake or contest functionality provided that You are the sole sponsor of the promotion and that You and Your Application comply with any applicable laws"
The story received some coverage over the past couple days. Let's take a look and see if the writers were accurate in their reporting...
Bill Ray wrote a story for The Register in the U.K. on February 18th. The headline of his story was "Apple opens the iPhone to lotteries."
Strike one.
Apple did NOT open the iPhone to lotteries. A lottery implies that you MUST make a purchase to enter. That is not the case. Apple IS allowing contests and sweepstakes, holding the company or person holding the promotion liable to be legit and legal.
Next Ray writes, "the first one, called "KaChing Button" is already in the Application Store and offering $1000 a day to someone selected randomly from those who download the app and press the big, red, button which comprises the application's only functionality (other than the accompanying sound effect)."
Strike two and strike three.
First of all, the news release is clear that the prize is UP TO $1000/day. To report it as $1000/day is just plain wrong.
But the third error is the most glaring of all.
The KaChing Button is a big GREEN button, not a big RED button. All you have to do is LOOK at the app by doing minimal research to see that the color is completely wrong. The only excuse I can think of is if Mr. Ray is color-blind. If that's the case, my mistake. Otherwise, wow... really?
Let's move on to the next instance.
Jason D. O' Grady writes for ZDNet. In this February 19th article titled "Apple Bans iBoobs, welcomes sweepstakes apps", Jason writes the following...
The Ka-Ching button (99 cents, no link love, sorry) is one of the first of a new generation of sweepstakes apps that offers a chance to win a $1,000 prize on March 15th by downloading the app and pressing a button.
The news release is very clear in stating that someone will win every day from Feb 15th - March 16th, yet Jason reports that $1000 will be given away on March 15th. Wrong.
To be fair, both MacRumors and TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) got the story right.
I always appreciate media coverage, but if the story is wrong it could be more harmful than helpful.
If you are going to cover news, please fact-check and get it right.
Joel,
You have encountered a recent (current) example of 'shoddy' journalism. Over 40 years ago, I encountered a similar splash of 'shoddy' journalism which actually caused me to stop reading newspapers completely. I now get my news primarily from TV and sometimes the Internet. Not only do many newpaper reporters (and many magazines as well) NOT make the effort to get the information correct (as you have clearly stated), they frequently 'fill in the blanks' with items from their own imagination and lack of understanding. Many are also looking for the 'big ticket' items - what they have done to Tiger Woods is a case in point. He admits that what he did is wrong, but it is his and his family who are affected. It is not anyone else's business. There are many many very good journalists in the print media and on television and radio as well. There are just enough in all of those medias who are 'opportunists' to give me and many others a very bad taste inin our mouths.
Joel,
You are right: this is an example of shoddy journalism. As a former community (weekly) newspaper editor, this sort of coverage offends me deeply. So does the total lack of editing with online publications (CNN and CNNSI in particular). The volume of spelling and grammatical errors is offensive.
I was taught to verify your facts before publishing them. Deadline pressure did not then, and does not now, excuse reporters from doing due diligence.
The writers must share some blame for these mistakes. However, I feel most of the blame belongs with the editors and publishers. Why? Because they allow this sort of behavior to take place.
Journalism was once a proud profession. It is not now, and has not been for several years.
Sincerely,
David Reynolds
I don't know if it this younger generation or what, it seem alot of people just don't care to put forth a honest effort, i could be wrong.
This is what i feel is the truth of today in journalism. The thing youngsters need to consider in their mind.
Hi Joel,
I've never had a proper job - I've only been a newspaper journalist or PR/Comms pro for the past 30 years. I would be a lot taller and have far more hair if I hadn't spent so much time dealing with the fourth estate. Media will make you insane. You have to expect journalists to stuff things up. So you try to idiot-proof your information via photos, illustrations, demos, case studies, examples, jokes, metaphors, graphs and, occasionally, braille. Question to you - did you employ a PR pro for your media relations or let fly yourself? If it's the latter, despite your e-skill and i-wisdom, that would be one strike against you, kind sir. You always increase your chances of good things happening and reduce the risk of poo-ey stuff happening by getting a seasoned pro to deal with the media. And you'll keep your hair for years longer... Cheers, Bill