The S.E.C., Bloggers and Fans

I haven’t had a lot of time to pour over every detail of the S.E.C.’s new Media Policy. What I can gather from all the e-mails and post I’ve had a chance to read is it’s really a bad policy. If this were a third world country pushing this much control over it’s citizens the United States would have already have dispatched Envoys to correct the oppression of the rights of the citizens. Well it’s the S.E.C. and that may not happen.

Back in the late seventies I was working for a small paper while I was in high school. I was sent to cover local sports as part of my assignments. There was an official at one football game  that wanted me out the area where the adult reporters and photographers were. I had the proper Press ID as the others, but he thought it was too dangerous for a minor. I was about to be removed from the game completely when I heard a booming voice start calling the official out. It was the publisher of the paper who was at the game (I think he was making sure I would pan out). He challenged the questionable call and ask to see the rules. The school superintendent, the team’s coaches and the Principal had all gathered by that time. The official was equally hot by this time and there was something the publisher said that changed everything “from where I’m sitting you need us more than we need you.” It was a game changer. By that time everyone knew there was no written rule and if there was one made on the spot, it was going to get a lot of ink. The game and school officials moved aside and discussed it for minute and then I was allowed to cover the game.

I was told to be at the paper at 5:00am the next morning to talk about it. My boss was still hot about it. He had already read the complete rules to prove he was right about sending me. He gave me some fatherly advise to not back down to the officials. Be respectful but not back down. If I was to have been removed, I should start taking names and getting quotes from fans about their thought and make a story about public opinion on the policy. His advise was my first real world lesson in journalism. Public opinion matters and it will bring change.

Today the best thing to do is let your feelings about the new S.E.C. policy be known. As it is written it is pretty open to broad interpretation. Taken to the extreme, an average person in the stands could easily be the wrong with the board for something as simple a Tweet on Twitter or status update on your Facebook page. It can be a rude awaking to show up for football game and wind up with a full court(room) press for a Tweet, photo or update.

Many of the schools in the S.E.C. are public funded. If you are in one those school’s areas, take a minute to write your State Representative or Senator and let them know if you are for it or against it.

One Note:

To be completely honest I don’t see myself blogging about a live sporting event this season or that matter attending one this season. I would like to, but I know that the core following doesn’t come here for my take on each game.

Last week I was made an offer by a top publisher. They want Gizmotastic to stay focused on photography, technology and new media so they can syndicate it. In turn they would help make Gizmotastic a more of profitable venture. I realize that this may be a great opportunity to cover more of those things in greater detail and have far better access to the newsmakers. Traveling down this new stretch of road into new villages where more readers can make join the ride. The process will help shape this into a better online publication. I might be able to invest in one those proofreaders I would complain about in the past.

Once all the agreements are final, I will let you know the details. I will give one hint – the publisher is in the top 100 of circulation and sales.

I owe a big thanks to all of you that have came, read and shared this blog. I greatly appreciate it.

Jeff