ESPN's latest ombudsman: Poynter Institute

We'll see to what degree they call 'em out regarding the shoe whoring.

I say, not enough.

 

Here's a perhaps off-the-wall question: Is ESPN paying Poynter?

Or is Poynter doing if mainly for the exposure.

If so, doesn't this allow ESPN to hold up the image of having an ombudsman without actually having to pay or answer to one?

 

Man, that is sweet:

Wish I'd said that.

 

Poynter could rip them and I don't think it will make a difference. The thing Ohlmeyer, Schrieber and (I guess) Solomon had going for them was that they had relationships and/or respect of some people at ESPN. Maybe they worked for or with them in the past. It's one thing if someone you don't know rips you. Someone who you respect or whose respect you might value probably carries a little more weight.

 

Directly above the headline on ESPN.com announcing Poynter as the ombudsman is this:

Westwood, Mickelson suffer match play loses

 

Deitsch talks to the Poynter staff about this new role ...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/richard_deitsch/03/01/poynter.qa/index.html

Obviously Kelly McBride isn't very familiar with ESPN ...

 

This is an interesting column:

http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/addressing-some-ethical-questions-at-the-worldwide-leader/

But what really struck me was this section:

So "journalists, with attendant ethical requirements" are allowed to have shoe deals?

I'm not nearly as bent out of shape about these things as some -- to me, Erin Andrews does her job pretty well, and it doesn't matter whether the label "journalist" fits -- but how can you make that statement?

 

The "E" isn't for "Ethics."

As far as I'm concerned, ESPN sells itself as "journalism!!!!" only on the following occasions:

- Outside the Lines
- Coaching changes
- Athlete scandals (and this is not always true)
- Those features that have the soft piano music in the background.

The rest is entertainment, pure and simple.

 

I can't think of anything ESPN has done in response to something an ombudsperson has said besides - "we'll get back to you or we'll do better in the future."
That the company is still trying to draft an ethics policy 30 years in says a lot. And I also can't recall anyone ever getting hammered on an ethical thing (non-sex division).
I still give ESPN credit for making an effort but...

 

Glaringly-so.

Unbelievable.

 

Vince Doria enjoys this because that's more people he can ignore.