The Insiders
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Jan
28
Media on Media
Posted by: Neal Yonson | January 28, 2007 | 48 Comments
Due to a hole in WordPress, this post’s author is misattributed. The follow was written by former Insiders editor Tim Louman-Gardiner.
Those of you who know me in real life know that one of my pet peeves is when the media talk about the media. But thankfully for my sense of dignity, this ain’t the real world.
As you know, the Voter Funded Media (formerly TurboDemocracy… I much prefer that title) contest is running in parallel to the AMS elections. I, like most, am surprised at number of media that are involved. By my observation, they fall into four general archetypes:
1) Involved people who know a lot and write in-depth
I’d put ourselves and the Knoll in this category, for instance. We both have significant understanding of the AMS and UBC, hold strong opinions, and write (relatively) frequently. We’re both insiders, trying to make our knowledge more accessible to those who aren’t. My primary criticism is that sometimes it’s very inaccessible. Much of our writing is geared to people who are already past square one – the high-information voter. (I note with amusement the Knoll’s slogan – “We’re like a slate that isn’t running”. It’s odd, because the Knoll is running a slate!)
2) Serious coverage from people who aren’t heavily involved
For this, look at Myrfield or the Thunderbird. Both collectives ought to be commended for trying to add some perspective and depth of coverage to the AMS elections. But it’s clear that they don’t know the issues much themselves. Which is fine, because they’re more journalist-y than analyst. Their appeal is more towards the mid/low-information voter, and a baseline understanding of the candidates, if not the issues.
3) Joke coverage from people contributing to the discourse
I’d throw Eat Cake and the Radical Beer Tribune into this category. And I really appreciate them. While there’s no serious issue-based coverage, they both engage with the candidates and the process, and in doing so contribute to the election. There’s a huge value-added, and they bring something that I can’t possibly hope to. Plus, look at the RBF photos. They’re downright amazing. (Image at right courtesy RBT.)
4) Supid entries trying to scam money
Let’s just call this the Duncan-Kearney media group. As far as I can tell, they’re just after beer money. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but a far more deserving entry will finish ninth to the “name recognition” crew. Come to think of it, there’s a profound arrogance required to say “I’m gonna win this based on how popular I am.” And Directors, AMS Councillors, ought to treat the AMS process with a little more respect. It was put far more eloquently by an anonymous commenter: “I do have a problem with AMS councillors misusing their reputations and this money for doing absolutely NO work whatsoever with the elections.”
I’ve also been asked to stop taking pot shots at the Ubyssey. Sorry guys, no dice. The Ubyssey is content to take pot shots at the AMS elections candidates with significant regularity, so I’m happy to return the favor. But a suggestion that AMS elections are full of tools (see: cover), and a “we don’t care” endorsement for the person responsible for making sure the Ubyssey’s offices still exist, tell me that they’re not trying to earn students’ confidence. But more importantly, guys, the 1980’s called, and they want their hackneyed sense of disaffected cynicism back. It’s often the last reserve of the uninformed. Maybe it’s the AMS’ fault for not issuing press releases like UBC Public Affairs – now that’s a guarantee of Ubyssey ink! (Full faith/credit: their news coverage has improved significantly over the course of the election.)
So, what’s the impact been of VFM? I’d suggest that it’s influenced the candidates more than it’s influenced voters. The occasional voter will be swayed/convinced by something they read here or in the Knoll (or the Ubyssey… see, that’s my attempt at humour), but, more importantly, it’s changed the candidates’ perspectives on the race. There’s actually been a discernible campaign of ideas in most races and, more importantly, these have evolved over the past two weeks. Now much of this hasn’t made its way to most of the voters, but I can’t help but feel it’s probably producing better candidates.
More importantly, it’s helped those who already want to be engaged. It can be very hard to get information about the AMS and UBC, and the issues. And for those who want to cast an informed vote, they had a bit more information this year. I guess that’s a victory, right?
What are your impressions on the VFM, and on the candidates? Is it making a difference? I know most candidates would probably argue that they’ve been a huge time drain… so I’d ask those candidates, was it worth it?
Comments
48 Comments so far
Tim – great post man. I agree on everything, especially on being disappointed about the “insider” competitors who did nothing or nearly nothing. There is a lot of knowledge out there and I think this contest could have been very interesting if there was more back-and-forth between various knowledgeable media sources. As it is, there are some substantive differences between your opinions and ours at The Knoll, but not all that many.
I think you forgot to mention Elections Errection, which did a pretty good job in the “Informing Voters who are minimally informed” category.
I would also differ on The Thunderbird. For the number of reporters they threw at each debate, they seemed to do a really crappy job. Taking Liz out of context in her audio clip was a terrible offense (which I will be posting about soon), and if it had any part in Liz dropping out, then that’s a huge black spot against the whole contest. The Thunderbird has actually made me question the entire school of journalism, and these guys seem like some silly parody of CTV news or something – basically they have been trained to be journalist-automatons who replicate all the problems Chomsky identified with corporate media — without even being under any corporate influence yet. I have some journalistic ambitions, and The Thunderbird’s coverage has in large part convinced me that if I’m to approach a career in journalism it will have to be through another path.
Tim – great post man. I agree on everything, especially on being disappointed about the “insider” competitors who did nothing or nearly nothing. There is a lot of knowledge out there and I think this contest could have been very interesting if there was more back-and-forth between various knowledgeable media sources. As it is, there are some substantive differences between your opinions and ours at The Knoll, but not all that many.
I think you forgot to mention Elections Errection, which did a pretty good job in the “Informing Voters who are minimally informed” category.
I would also differ on The Thunderbird. For the number of reporters they threw at each debate, they seemed to do a really crappy job. Taking Liz out of context in her audio clip was a terrible offense (which I will be posting about soon), and if it had any part in Liz dropping out, then that’s a huge black spot against the whole contest. The Thunderbird has actually made me question the entire school of journalism, and these guys seem like some silly parody of CTV news or something – basically they have been trained to be journalist-automatons who replicate all the problems Chomsky identified with corporate media — without even being under any corporate influence yet. I have some journalistic ambitions, and The Thunderbird’s coverage has in large part convinced me that if I’m to approach a career in journalism it will have to be through another path.
Sorry — I forgot to mention that you guys have done an absolutely stunning job. Congrats.
Sorry — I forgot to mention that you guys have done an absolutely stunning job. Congrats.
Mike,
Thanks, appreciate it. And very good point about Elections Erection. Forgot to mention them, and they definitely deserve mention.
It highlights one thing… that there’s a bunch of students who had nothing to do with the AMS who put a bunch of time/effort into the elections. And that’s awesome.
Mike,
Thanks, appreciate it. And very good point about Elections Erection. Forgot to mention them, and they definitely deserve mention.
It highlights one thing… that there’s a bunch of students who had nothing to do with the AMS who put a bunch of time/effort into the elections. And that’s awesome.
the impact of vfm:
1. i was too busy drinking/passing courses/whoring myself to the private sector to notice this vfm thing. i have pretty much the best blog on teh intarwebs, so i would have entered. i hope they hold this again, so i could re-vamp my blog as a satirical ‘category four’ beer-fund rag.
2. the money should be a directed investment in student media. like, the winners can redeem up to whatever the prize is in a) media supplies (ie staples/paper/printing for zines/papers, hosting for blogs, etc., and b) scholarship $/tuition for courses on shit like publishing.
i would desire those things as prizes because i am into the whole media thing – shouldnt all vfm entrants desire investment in their media enterprise and journalistic education?
3. can we please popularize the term knolligarchy? kthxbye.
the impact of vfm:
1. i was too busy drinking/passing courses/whoring myself to the private sector to notice this vfm thing. i have pretty much the best blog on teh intarwebs, so i would have entered. i hope they hold this again, so i could re-vamp my blog as a satirical ‘category four’ beer-fund rag.
2. the money should be a directed investment in student media. like, the winners can redeem up to whatever the prize is in a) media supplies (ie staples/paper/printing for zines/papers, hosting for blogs, etc., and b) scholarship $/tuition for courses on shit like publishing.
i would desire those things as prizes because i am into the whole media thing – shouldnt all vfm entrants desire investment in their media enterprise and journalistic education?
3. can we please popularize the term knolligarchy? kthxbye.
Voters would be well advised to remember this campaign when Mike Duncan runs for AMS Exec next year.
Facebook spam and a redirect to the science homepage did wonders to scour away my remaining respect for Mike.
Voters would be well advised to remember this campaign when Mike Duncan runs for AMS Exec next year.
Facebook spam and a redirect to the science homepage did wonders to scour away my remaining respect for Mike.
the potshot comment was a joke. shit on the ubyssey all you want. it doesn’t make a difference. rhetoric is rhetoric whether it’s a student politician or a student journalist.
keep up the good work!
the potshot comment was a joke. shit on the ubyssey all you want. it doesn’t make a difference. rhetoric is rhetoric whether it’s a student politician or a student journalist.
keep up the good work!
as for the tool cover, well, to each his own i guess. i would suggest that a sense of humour and a lack of pole-in-ass might help the ams generate more interest in the election. at least admit that you’re projecting your insecurites on to your interpretation of that cover, tim – because tool refers to many, many things. sometimes they’re even useful! see http://www.m-w.com.
as for the tool cover, well, to each his own i guess. i would suggest that a sense of humour and a lack of pole-in-ass might help the ams generate more interest in the election. at least admit that you’re projecting your insecurites on to your interpretation of that cover, tim – because tool refers to many, many things. sometimes they’re even useful! see http://www.m-w.com.
Anon 2:21- Gonna run a VFM next year to remind them?
Anon 5:46 – Don’t worry, I didn’t take it personally. I really just used the comment as a pretext ;-)
Anon 2:21- Gonna run a VFM next year to remind them?
Anon 5:46 – Don’t worry, I didn’t take it personally. I really just used the comment as a pretext ;-)
Anon 5:51 –
Thanks for the vocabulary lesson. I had no idea.
And you’re right, I’m completely projecting my insecurities. I lay awake at night afraid that a Ubyssey editor/staffer who’s hiding behind anonymity thinks I’m a tool.
Anon 5:51 –
Thanks for the vocabulary lesson. I had no idea.
And you’re right, I’m completely projecting my insecurities. I lay awake at night afraid that a Ubyssey editor/staffer who’s hiding behind anonymity thinks I’m a tool.
Timbits I bet the IP addy of that last anon came out of the Student Union Building’s basement floor. Let’s check!
Timbits I bet the IP addy of that last anon came out of the Student Union Building’s basement floor. Let’s check!
The Radical Beer Tribune is making me wish I had run for something (anything!) just to get some sweet photos out of the deal… and some free booze.
The Radical Beer Tribune is making me wish I had run for something (anything!) just to get some sweet photos out of the deal… and some free booze.
“hiding behind anonymity”?
i thought you gave the green light to anonymous posts.
thanks for alienating me again!
oh tim. it’s your fault that your blog is like a boot of skag or a snort of horse. mmm. i just can’t stop reading.
and hey, the vocab lesson seemed in order. i won’t apologize.
“hiding behind anonymity”?
i thought you gave the green light to anonymous posts.
thanks for alienating me again!
oh tim. it’s your fault that your blog is like a boot of skag or a snort of horse. mmm. i just can’t stop reading.
and hey, the vocab lesson seemed in order. i won’t apologize.
what was the result of your IP address check, btw?
what was the result of your IP address check, btw?
i thought you gave the green light to anonymous posts.
thanks for alienating me again!
Hey, sorry anonymous comments were enabled a day after we launched the blog. How else have Tim and I alienated you?
We really value anonymous comments so people don’t have to leave their names if they don’t want to (although it’s a bit tedious to say Anon from 5:45 vs Anon from 4:30, instead of a name, like “ainge”).
Of course, this also allows some people to make snarky comments without having to own up to them with an identity.
But that’s fine, most people’s snarky comments have been in good spirit and we appreciate the thoughtful, mature, and constructive discourse that’s happened in our blog thus far.
So keep commenting!
i thought you gave the green light to anonymous posts.
thanks for alienating me again!
Hey, sorry anonymous comments were enabled a day after we launched the blog. How else have Tim and I alienated you?
We really value anonymous comments so people don’t have to leave their names if they don’t want to (although it’s a bit tedious to say Anon from 5:45 vs Anon from 4:30, instead of a name, like “ainge”).
Of course, this also allows some people to make snarky comments without having to own up to them with an identity.
But that’s fine, most people’s snarky comments have been in good spirit and we appreciate the thoughtful, mature, and constructive discourse that’s happened in our blog thus far.
So keep commenting!
Back on track, it should have been easily predicted that there would be candidates banking on the lack of publicity of VFM to rake in some extra dough. A simple VFM of the name “I hate George Bush” would easily net some dough in this kind of competition.
The flaw here is that the electorate doesn’t care because of lack of information, they don’t care because they don’t prioritize their ‘university experience’ as much as we ‘ams elite’ do. John Q UBC commutes, is here for little over 4 years, and moves on. It shouldn’t be shocking there exists the silent 70.
That said, VFM has generated more well structured platforms, and will hopefully generate a focused executive, student BoG caucus and student senate caucus.
Back on track, it should have been easily predicted that there would be candidates banking on the lack of publicity of VFM to rake in some extra dough. A simple VFM of the name “I hate George Bush” would easily net some dough in this kind of competition.
The flaw here is that the electorate doesn’t care because of lack of information, they don’t care because they don’t prioritize their ‘university experience’ as much as we ‘ams elite’ do. John Q UBC commutes, is here for little over 4 years, and moves on. It shouldn’t be shocking there exists the silent 70.
That said, VFM has generated more well structured platforms, and will hopefully generate a focused executive, student BoG caucus and student senate caucus.
i thought i was providing semi-constructive criticism. instead i’ve been made to feel like a troll. sounds much like my social life.
a twisted part of me cares about the ams and ubc. whether i worked or work for the ubyssey is inconsequential – besides, some people just write movie reviews there timmy. and commenting (not running a blog, but just commenting) on a blog involves far fewer journalistic responsibilities. maybe it went to far. nah.
anon posts were enabled. and one person’s “haranguing” is another person’s “favouring the obscenity-ridden vernacular over densely written wonkspeak.”
tomato. tomato.
with a red U stuck to my chest the fun is gone.
again. you’ve both done good work. but if you’re going into politics – or journalism – you probably should get used to some mild haranguing. you seem to handle it well, which is why i kept posting.
i’m well aware that i’m a tool too! i’m posting to this blog again against all advice to the contrary.
but maybe it’s time to let the quote-unquote regular folks do the talking.
//retirement
i thought i was providing semi-constructive criticism. instead i’ve been made to feel like a troll. sounds much like my social life.
a twisted part of me cares about the ams and ubc. whether i worked or work for the ubyssey is inconsequential – besides, some people just write movie reviews there timmy. and commenting (not running a blog, but just commenting) on a blog involves far fewer journalistic responsibilities. maybe it went to far. nah.
anon posts were enabled. and one person’s “haranguing” is another person’s “favouring the obscenity-ridden vernacular over densely written wonkspeak.”
tomato. tomato.
with a red U stuck to my chest the fun is gone.
again. you’ve both done good work. but if you’re going into politics – or journalism – you probably should get used to some mild haranguing. you seem to handle it well, which is why i kept posting.
i’m well aware that i’m a tool too! i’m posting to this blog again against all advice to the contrary.
but maybe it’s time to let the quote-unquote regular folks do the talking.
//retirement
not worrying about spelling has been particularly thrilling
not worrying about spelling has been particularly thrilling
and back to vfm
and back to vfm
The ride through the VFM was fun, and I definitely care more now that I’m uh, more informed. Instead of navigating through various questionably designed websites on UBC (the site for The Plan actually looks nice!), I get this information handed to me, more or less. This blog has been amazing–thanks.
The ride through the VFM was fun, and I definitely care more now that I’m uh, more informed. Instead of navigating through various questionably designed websites on UBC (the site for The Plan actually looks nice!), I get this information handed to me, more or less. This blog has been amazing–thanks.
*sniff*
But you’ve kept me entertained through so many late nights when I should have been doing something other than writing in this thing…
*sniff*
But you’ve kept me entertained through so many late nights when I should have been doing something other than writing in this thing…
lol, drama
lol, drama
If you guys are REALLY pissed you can try and take out Mike in 3 degree weather tomorrow 12 to 1 in front of the Ladha Centre :)
If you guys are REALLY pissed you can try and take out Mike in 3 degree weather tomorrow 12 to 1 in front of the Ladha Centre :)
Sean,
Hey, I’m not pissed. If you guys get enough votes, then who am I to quarrel with the voters?
Now Anon 2:21, on the other hand…
Sean,
Hey, I’m not pissed. If you guys get enough votes, then who am I to quarrel with the voters?
Now Anon 2:21, on the other hand…
Oops I should have mentioned that Mr. Duncan will be in the Dunk Tank at that time!
Oops I should have mentioned that Mr. Duncan will be in the Dunk Tank at that time!