Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Sun, Jan 15 2006
Writers' Clash Points to Bigger Problems
I won't pretend to know the whole history of the conflict between science writers Tim Lambert and Michael Fumento, but the severing of Mr. Fumento's working relationship with Scripps Howard News Service would indicate to me that this is based on more than just a clash of writers' egos.
The issue concerning Mr. Fumento and Scripps Howard News Service is really unfortunate—mostly for the bad taste it gives readers who already have plenty of misgivings about those of us who write and report on any given topic. No human can manage to be free of bias and opinion. Fortunately, most of us do read material with that in mind. But we've seen more than one instance lately of writers getting their hands on large sums of money and then writing positive things about the source of that funding without admitting that their stance could be at least partially influenced by monetary considerations.
I don't know either of the two gentlemen personally, but it saddens me to think that the time spent on all this could have gone to better things. Our personal and professional contacts are precious. And without pointing a finger at anyone else in this particular situation, I'm seeing that it's more than easy to lose the respect of news agencies, other professionals and valued news readers in one fell swoop. It's an increasing challenge to stay above reproach in the media of today. But it's also essential that we each keep trying to meet that challenge.
posted at: 07:31 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
I won't pretend to know the whole history of the conflict between science writers Tim Lambert and Michael Fumento, but the severing of Mr. Fumento's working relationship with Scripps Howard News Service would indicate to me that this is based on more than just a clash of writers' egos.
The issue concerning Mr. Fumento and Scripps Howard News Service is really unfortunate—mostly for the bad taste it gives readers who already have plenty of misgivings about those of us who write and report on any given topic. No human can manage to be free of bias and opinion. Fortunately, most of us do read material with that in mind. But we've seen more than one instance lately of writers getting their hands on large sums of money and then writing positive things about the source of that funding without admitting that their stance could be at least partially influenced by monetary considerations.
I don't know either of the two gentlemen personally, but it saddens me to think that the time spent on all this could have gone to better things. Our personal and professional contacts are precious. And without pointing a finger at anyone else in this particular situation, I'm seeing that it's more than easy to lose the respect of news agencies, other professionals and valued news readers in one fell swoop. It's an increasing challenge to stay above reproach in the media of today. But it's also essential that we each keep trying to meet that challenge.
posted at: 07:31 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
