4 ms·

I was an editor at a cryptocurrency news site and i have been approached by a reputation management “SEO firm” before. I once got offered money to include the

I was an editor at a cryptocurrency news site and i have been approached by a reputation management “SEO firm” before. I once got offered money to include the given name of a well known crypto startup founder in an existing positive article about him. Because if you searched for his given name back then, it brought you to his previous career photographing underage swimsuit models. This is what the redacted email said: >> My name is Kyle Kilgore and I am with Sharp SEO Services. A client of mine has contracted me out to work on a reputation management campaign for First Last. To verify what I am doing for First name please contact Mr.Last name and tell him I am working on behalf of Joseph Chinnock for making sure the changes on Google search engine's first page listing are the same for the keyword "Given name Last name” and "First name Last name” There are just two changes I need done and will be more than happy to pay for you time to do it. The article page below is the reference content where I need changes about First Last: [link redacted] The changes desired are highlighted in BOLD text. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1.) The title (H1 headers) needs to be changed from: First Last Talks Newest Company Name Innovation: *** To read as follows: Given name Last name Talks Newest Company name Innovation: *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2.) As well as the first sentence in the first paragraph needs to be changed from: company name’s co-founder First Last is no stranger to innovation. To read as follows: company name’s co-founder First Given Last is no stranger to innovation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there is a fee for having you change this please let me know how you accept payments for doing this. Also, if possible, I need to know if this name change gets approved or disapproved as soon as possible. I appreciate all your help and look forward to your response. Best regards, Kyle Kilgore

openknot 5y ago
From my previous experience in the news industry, it would be almost offensive to receive an email like this if one were an editor of a news publication. Integrity as a journalist necessitates that one cannot accept payment from a person mentioned in a news article, and cannot agree to the attempt to compromise on journalistic independence. The cost to one's reputation as a journalist far outweighs the payment offered by the cold emailer from a reputation firm. For any commenters without experience in the news industry, this request is disrespectful to the recipient as it assumes that the owner of the news site can be bought for or influenced with pay.
- wolverine876 5y ago
  With due respect to the GP, it's not like the reputation management firm tried to buy off the NY Times. At less ethical levels of the news industry, being bought off by advertisers or powerful people seems not uncommon. Fox coordinated with Trump. I am a big believer in the power and value of journalism, but in your experience, how far down do the ethics go?
  - openknot 5y ago
    My view might not be representative of every person in the journalism industry, but I believe that each journalist should hold themselves to a strong personal code of ethics; principles aside, there are reasons of self-interest too. Journalism work is low-paying and scarce today, relative to how it has been in the past. If a a person just wants to make money, they could move into marketing (especially copywriting), public relations, market research, or change fields entirely. So, a person who chooses to be a journalist is likely doing so for non-financial reasons. These might be a want to serve their community; a wish to become famous for good work; or just because they like the day-to-day work. Accepting payment for article influence runs counter to a journalist's motivations for staying in the low-paying line of work (they aren't serving the community; it's bad for personal reputation; and it makes it harder to keep doing journalism work, if the word gets out). It makes sense for ethics to go far down, out of pragmatism more than idealism (though I also recognize that a person having a bad day/week might impulsively compromise on their integrity, or may not have thought about the consequences in advance).

openknot 5y ago

From my previous experience in the news industry, it would be almost offensive to receive an email like this if one were an editor of a news publication. Integrity as a journalist necessitates that one cannot accept payment from a person mentioned in a news article, and cannot agree to the attempt to compromise on journalistic independence. The cost to one's reputation as a journalist far outweighs the payment offered by the cold emailer from a reputation firm. For any commenters without experience in the news industry, this request is disrespectful to the recipient as it assumes that the owner of the news site can be bought for or influenced with pay.

wolverine876 5y ago
With due respect to the GP, it's not like the reputation management firm tried to buy off the NY Times. At less ethical levels of the news industry, being bought off by advertisers or powerful people seems not uncommon. Fox coordinated with Trump. I am a big believer in the power and value of journalism, but in your experience, how far down do the ethics go?
- openknot 5y ago
  My view might not be representative of every person in the journalism industry, but I believe that each journalist should hold themselves to a strong personal code of ethics; principles aside, there are reasons of self-interest too. Journalism work is low-paying and scarce today, relative to how it has been in the past. If a a person just wants to make money, they could move into marketing (especially copywriting), public relations, market research, or change fields entirely. So, a person who chooses to be a journalist is likely doing so for non-financial reasons. These might be a want to serve their community; a wish to become famous for good work; or just because they like the day-to-day work. Accepting payment for article influence runs counter to a journalist's motivations for staying in the low-paying line of work (they aren't serving the community; it's bad for personal reputation; and it makes it harder to keep doing journalism work, if the word gets out). It makes sense for ethics to go far down, out of pragmatism more than idealism (though I also recognize that a person having a bad day/week might impulsively compromise on their integrity, or may not have thought about the consequences in advance).