December 12, 2007
Ventura County Star: The gift that keeps on giving
Reader Robert Worthley wrote me this morning regarding the Ventura County Star's decision to prohibit him from leaving comments.
I was told both by Bruce McLean and Matt Saint of Star digital media that I had been banned from posting because of my harsh criticism of the Star. Even my company IP address was blocked.
I had been banned, along with some other equally disgusted individuals who are known to me personally.
One digital media person, whose name escapes me at the moment, seemed very distraught over the phone. He complained of working long hours with no appreciation and said that our comments were somehow hurtful to him personally. He did not comprehend that the posters were challenging editorial policy.
My approach, however, is to always accentuate the good, while asking for improvements where indicated.
As the Star downsizes and outsources, I strongly support the employees. Editorial policy is my personal target. Balance must be achieved.
Nice to see that the Star -- home to hardbitten reporters and grizzled, thick-skinned editors -- is willing to subject itself to the same scrutiny and criticism as the subjects of its own articles.
Ahem.
Of course, this is the same paper that yesterday published an opinion piece calling District Attorney Greg Totten a racist, without a single supporting sentence to be found in the article providing a factual basis for the assertion.
What's risible about the Star's whinging, whimpering defense is that, had the shortbus-riding president of LULAC posted his screed in a comment, it would qualify for deletion under the "no hurtful words or personal attacks" standard supposedly in place.
Have you cancelled your subscription yet?
Posted by Mike Lief at December 12, 2007 11:03 AM
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Mike: I tried to post something to the Star forums this AM. It has been many months since I tried.
In my attempted post, I stated the belief that Mr. Cogswell, the Star's new publisher, would bring some balance --- and I complimented Star Marketing's contribution by supporting the Most Wanted of Ventura County.
Following is my cut and paste of the message that flashed in red when I pushed the button to post:
ERROR!! You are forbidden to post/edit information in these Forums.
A previous attempt by digital media folks to restore my privileges was unsuccessful. I believe that the ban is by IP address, and they can't fix it.
The real question to me is ... whose policy has caused this situation? Is it editorial license as exercised by digital media folks ... or from a directive at a higher level?
Posted by: Robert Worthley at December 12, 2007 11:50 AM
Bob, please call me. Jane
Posted by: Jane at December 12, 2007 12:37 PM