More Reasons Not To Trust Consultants and Bloggers

[fred flintstone]

From RadioDailyNews:

Let's just say the original ''rumors'' of (Howard) Stern's fall from glory began in a magazine called Inside Radio*. (They did.) Let's say that Inside Radio, a trade magazine not widely read by the general public, is published by M Street Corporation. (It is.) And, that Clear Channel Communications owns M Street Corporation. (It does.) That would be the same Clear Channel that fired Howard Stern from several stations a few years ago; the same company that has every reason to deter people from turning to satellite radio for entertainment. (Check out Columbia Journalism Review's list, ''Who Owns What.'' Fascinating)

*Inside Radio publishes a regular column by Brian Maloney. Maloney's column included some of the "rumors" of Stern's demise which Inside Radio published.

Allentown Morning Call:

Let's say a writer* for the New York Post wrote about the ''rumors'' published in Inside Radio. And that this writer admittedly earns that better part of his living consulting in the radio industry, advising broadcasters about their business. It's very possible that to a writer, this provocative rumor was worth bringing to the attention of readers. Unfortunately, it's also possible that to an industry consultant, satellite radio, and the fact that it could severely diminish the business of broadcast radio, and his client base, isn't a welcome concept. I'm just saying. (read more - Renee A. James - Allentown Morning Call)

The writer in question is John Mainelli, a consultant and former WABC Talkradio77 program director, who also wrote an occasional radio column for the New York Post. He left the paper after being asked to give up his consulting work.

This is more evidence that consultants know where their money comes from and they toe the industry line - including in posts on radio boards. Their business is telling people what they want to hear.

 

[dampier]

I don't ever rely on blogs for authoritative news. It seems apparent there are close ties between Brian Baloney and Inside Radio, particularly to the extent they cover his rumor circus column space. I suppose those that quote from Inside Radio suggesting it has authority can be dropped on the same compost pile as those who quote from Baloney's blog.

The only difference between those blogs and this site are the form of the unsubstantiated rumors passing as news. We do it in a forum, they do it in a blog.

 

[Radio_Realist]

The only difference between those blogs and this site are the form of the unsubstantiated rumors passing as news. We do it in a forum, they do it in a blog.

And some of us seem to go a little overboard in copying crap from blogs into new thread launches.

 

[fred flintstone]

And some of us seem to go a little overboard in copying crap from blogs into new thread launches.

And some of us can't tell the difference between a bona fide news outlet and a blog.
Not surprising, Scott, the way you keep posting Maloney's rantings over on your board and deleting anyone who dares question the Oracle of the Equalizer.

 

[Radio_Realist]

And some of us can't tell the difference between a bona fide news outlet and a blog.

And some of us can't tell the difference between yours truly and someone named Scott.

 

[mouthoff]

Tom Taylor at Inside Radio is a good guy. You won't find anyone better. I would never question his integrity.