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I know I'm going to get downvoted to oblivion by saying this, but the only reason we're upset by this is because we "know and love" Craig Newmark. If CNN did t

by jfager 16y ago

I know I'm going to get downvoted to oblivion by saying this, but the only reason we're upset by this is because we "know and love" Craig Newmark. If CNN did the exact same thing to a BP exec and got the same kind of answers, would anyone be criticizing them? Or would we be too busy falling all over ourselves pointing out what an asshole the executive was? (No, I'm not calling Newmark an asshole) This was hardly "gotcha" journalism. If Craigslist says they report these kinds of ads but the relevant authorities say they never receive those reports, that's an actual problem, and CNN has every right to report it, and to question the folks in charge. Newmark's trying to say "Aww, shucks, I just do customer service these days", but the reality is it is his site, he is on the board, and if women and minors are getting hurt because CL fails to adequately police the adult ads it charges money for, then Newmark deserves to sweat over it as much as anyone. I generally love Craigslist, and I generally hate CNN, but sorry, the shoes are on the other feet for this one.

lionhearted 16y ago
> This was hardly "gotcha" journalism. They edited out how she introduced herself to him, and edited in him standing there paused thinking about the difficult question that was just sprung on him without warning. She was almost certainly very friendly and casual in the beginning, and then she waylays him when he's not ready. Does he have an obligation to know how his ship is running? Yes. But she took advantage of the fact that he hasn't taken "public relations training" or whatever and is basically a decent guy. What he'll do now is learn the standard PR deflecting non-answer in case something like this happens, and then give a prepared statement later. That's a shame, and that was absolutely distasteful gotcha journalism.
- jfager 16y ago
  I agree that the editing and production was typical of the CNN I know and hate. But the questions strike me as fair, and it's been a contentious issue long enough that anyone at the top of CL should be well-prepared to deal with them. As much as I hate CNN (and I do, with a passion), it's not their responsibility to coddle millionaires who charge money for sex ads, regardless of how likable, well-intentioned, or geeky they are.
  - deleted 16y ago
    [deleted]
- anamax 16y ago
  > They edited out how she introduced herself to him, and edited in him standing there paused thinking about the difficult question that was just sprung on him without warning. She was almost certainly very friendly and casual in the beginning, and then she waylays him when he's not ready. That's why Newmark should have recorded the interview and published it himself. He has just as much right to report on their conversation as she does.
  - gojomo 16y ago
    That's why Newmark should have recorded the interview and published it himself. He'd have to record his every moment in public to be ready for a surprise Q&A session. Though perhaps that could become another stock delaying tactic: "Could you wait for a moment while I get my independent recording of this exchange started?"

by jfager 16y ago

lionhearted 16y ago

> This was hardly "gotcha" journalism. They edited out how she introduced herself to him, and edited in him standing there paused thinking about the difficult question that was just sprung on him without warning. She was almost certainly very friendly and casual in the beginning, and then she waylays him when he's not ready. Does he have an obligation to know how his ship is running? Yes. But she took advantage of the fact that he hasn't taken "public relations training" or whatever and is basically a decent guy. What he'll do now is learn the standard PR deflecting non-answer in case something like this happens, and then give a prepared statement later. That's a shame, and that was absolutely distasteful gotcha journalism.

jfager 16y ago
I agree that the editing and production was typical of the CNN I know and hate. But the questions strike me as fair, and it's been a contentious issue long enough that anyone at the top of CL should be well-prepared to deal with them. As much as I hate CNN (and I do, with a passion), it's not their responsibility to coddle millionaires who charge money for sex ads, regardless of how likable, well-intentioned, or geeky they are.
- deleted 16y ago
  [deleted]
anamax 16y ago
> They edited out how she introduced herself to him, and edited in him standing there paused thinking about the difficult question that was just sprung on him without warning. She was almost certainly very friendly and casual in the beginning, and then she waylays him when he's not ready. That's why Newmark should have recorded the interview and published it himself. He has just as much right to report on their conversation as she does.
- gojomo 16y ago
  That's why Newmark should have recorded the interview and published it himself. He'd have to record his every moment in public to be ready for a surprise Q&A session. Though perhaps that could become another stock delaying tactic: "Could you wait for a moment while I get my independent recording of this exchange started?"