In HockeyWashington, when it comes to media, we are blessed to have a forward thinking owner in Ted Leonsis. His vision and acceptance of new media is shared throughout the Capitals’ organization. We’ve spent more than a few dozen nights in the Capitals’ press box, as have a number of Caps bloggers. All of us understand and appreciate the privilege that comes with this access.
The Washington Capitals are at the forefront of accepting and embracing new media. Look at the team itself, with Mike Vogel and his Capitals Report podcast — airing before podcast even was a word. This evolved into a video podcast, and early in 2009 the team will move forward with even more new media projects.
Then you have the other end of the spectrum — the Edmonton Oilers. For some years there have been several highly regarded bloggers writing about the Oilers. One of those blogs is Covered in Oil. Though familiar with the blog, we don’t personally know the writers behind it. Recently, however, they found themselves in a little hot oil. You can read about it here. (Additionally, here is a cached copy of the post that boiled the oil.)
The sum and substance of it is this: the Oilers were interested in supporting new media when they liked the product generated, and the moment they didn’t, they pulled the welcome mat out from under the volunteer writers. It really is that cut and dry. From Covered in Oil:
“I was eventually told that the Oilers didn’t grant press passes to bloggers unless they were employed by the organization [emphasis OFB's] or the NHL [ditto], and that I had abused my press pass and wasn’t allowed back.
“I have a feeling at least part of the problem the Oilers have with blogs is that basic computer literacy in the organization seems to be on the level of grandmother with a Nintendo in the basement . . .
“I hope most of you will understand exactly why I’m no longer interested in writing about an organization that has decided to dump on me for having the temerity to care about them and treat their wishes with respect.
“I especially want to thank the other Oilogosphere bloggers, whether they were at it from the beginning or just recently joined up: it is still the place where I find the most consistently interesting, thought-provoking, funny and worthwhile writing about the Oilers.”
We have no doubt about the veracity that last observation, which of course means that the Oil favor message control at the expense of quality and passion. We can’t pass final judgement on this matter as we don’t have all of the facts, but on its face it’s deeply troubling. What we can say is that we appreciate — more than ever — the relationship that has been forged in Washington between new media and the local NHL franchise. Blogging about hockey here is great fun, the connectivity we have with those who share our passion is enriching beyond words, but we should never forget, nor take for granted, how fortunate we are to pursue it in the community we do.
12 Comments
Surely this issue is dear to my heart, but what’s your point here? Wrong to escort Covered in Oil out because?
Surely bloggers that demonstrate professionalism have a great privilege, one that I cherish dearly.
I’m not sure what exactly, from reading the original post, precipitated the ire of the Oilers to escort out Covered in Oil, but, yeah, its troubling.
However, I was definitely on my best behavior at Kettler, and in Newark, recognizing said privilege. When I’m in the press box, I aim to be a journalist, albeit amateur journalist, and not just a feed of, perhaps, unreflective opinions by the minute. I have no editor, no one to hold me to account, so I have to hold myself to account.
I totally understand the need to establish some filter between player and fan with a website.
Somewhat ironic that the offending post take place on Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.
Hearing stories like this turn my stomach. Coming from a purely fan perspective, I know OFB, JP, and Peerless are the first places I go for my daily Capitals fix. I not only appreciate the access the organization allows you guys, but the time and effort the bloggers put in to make the Capitals fan community all the stronger!
the ‘offending post’, i think, was one where DMFB was being irreverent… commenting on what the backup goalie was eating, snarking a bit at the other media, etc. nothing harsh at all… he had some other critical posts as well, but nothing that went beyond basic free speech.
All, I too find this troubling. I read the offending post and whole-heartedly agree with amw as to the nature of the post. I think the Oilers are/were being both simplistic and naive in their view as to the impact of technology on freedom of speech and access to information. Frankly, even more-so then Chinese authorities were this summer in Beijing. Aside from the F-Bomb the real fear on the Oiler’s media relations department had to be the fact it was a live blog and they had no tape delay or filter as pepper points out.
@ pepper: So what are you saying? As I understand it by day you are an attorney – how can you not be anything but outraged by the actions in light of the contents of the offending post? I love your blog “The Red Skate” and would point out it frequently seeks to entertain through some comedic relief which is what I feel was included in the offending post – just some humorous irreverance. As for “being on our best behaviour” and “self moderating” while I agree …. I have to point out the irony at hand. Most often the MSM points to the lack of objectivity and freedom from the emotions of “fandom” as to the weakneses of using blogs as news sources or news/information transmission means. Yet in this case the one being most censored is the new media blogger, vice the MSM guy who “also has a blog”. Upon reflection, perhaps you might want to broaden your thinking or expand you comments on this subject if I missed your point.
Good points Mark. Clearly there was a lack of trust in this Oilers case, and that might have been better instilled from the get-go. We really have no idea what this person did or said at the arena other than what is written on that blog.
What possibly could a hockey blogger do to wrong a team? This is not about rooting out corrupt politicians, this is a hockey team. Hardly think anyone is looking for dirt on the GM.
Bloggers can do nothing but help a team’s brand, they create buzz and reinforce the fan’s passion.
But, on the flip side, I do wonder about bloggers getting press credentials…it smells a bit like a sell out to me. Why do you need to sit in the press box to blog about a hockey team? My experience is the politicians and journalists are the most easily corrupted people. Power and perks are bad influences.
Also, this is not a freedom of the press thing. A hockey team is a private organization. While Canada is not as good as the US on the issue, no one is stopping anyone from writing on the internet about the team. Though an irreverent post in Canada may cause government to come down on you…that may be more cause for concern than the Oilers banning you from the free food in the press gallery.
Paul, to your observation about bloggers “selling out,” which I think is an understandable vantage and important to address. On my two most recent visits to the press box, in Washington and Hershey, I participated in live blog coverage events organizaed and hosted by Eric McErlain of the Sporting News and AOL. In addition to being great fun, they are also dynamic sessions, and in the case of this past Saturday’s, I thought it distinctly novel: getting Washington hockey fans the simultaneous vantages of parent and farm club during live action.
Speaking only for myself, I attend games to avail myself of materials — clippings, media guides, comprehensive statistical summaries — unique with press access. I also want to generate new media products such as video that access reqI am definitely not there to generate formulaic journalism, and if you’ve read OFB for any while you know that’s not our gig. I don’t subscribe to the view that one’s presence in and among media creates an ether of predictable coverage. Indeed, having been seated among scores of bloggers at Caps’ games the past couple of years and consumed the coverage they generate, I think new and old media can and do co-exist just fine in that environment. The key is having a supportive host organization like the Caps and the beneficiaries of their trust honor the arrangement.
Of course I have no qualms about OFB’s coverage or any other Caps blog. All of you have been exceptional…a real added benefit to my Caps fanhood.
I think my point was how could a blogger go overboard? I have never heard of a Caps blog that starts out with the premise that it is anti-Caps. (Why would you bother?) Besides obscenities, how could any fan blog be offensive to the team?
Now it could get interesting if the Penguins hosted Caps bloggers and vice versa.
I also really think the Oilers dispute is a Canadian thing.
“We can‚Äôt pass final judgment on this matter as we don‚Äôt have all of the facts”
Well, you might feel that way, but I’ve never needed much of a reason to vilify a sports organization for being a bunch of toolbags. I have a new team to root against! Woot!
“Besides obscenities, how could any fan blog be offensive to the team?”
Perhaps the team was expecting “rose-colored coverage” and was getting critical (but not hostile) coverage? It seems many people outside the blogging world see sports blogs as either snarky and gossipy (like Deadspin or Big Lead) or sycophantic. Getting something like Battle of Alberta or OFB or OWO or Mirtle’s Blog might be something they were not expecting.