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Should Bloggers Be Granted Press Credentials? |
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That was a topic at the Professional Hockey Writers Association's meeting held during the All-Star break. In a lot of ways it was a formal recognition of the job the internet and hockey bloggers have had on the coverage of this sport. Some welcomed it with open arms, some had raised eyebrows, and some writers hated the idea more than I hate Caddyshack II.
...and to be honest, I am kinda on the wall as well.
There are cities where the blogging community does a better job covering the hockey team than the local newspaper. They break news, the writing is solid, they sprinkle a bit of humor, and they take advantage of the tools that a blog can provide (audio,video,pictures)...and the traffic they generate provides a clear indication that they aren't a flash-in-the-pan.
Yet, there has been a few games where I have sat next to a writer given credentials for a blog who didn't conduct himself in a manner that is expected when given the pass to the press box.
From standing and cheering when a scrum breaks out on the ice , to HIGH-FIVING fans in arms-reach when the home team scored...I've seen it all.
So how does a PR Department weed out the fans and allow the reporters. Should they even have to? Do they sit down and interview the writers? I am sure they'd be thrilled with that task.
So it's a touchy subject that has lots of media and PR departments scratching their heads.
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