it’s about time
tommyThe recent Times redesign also gave them the chance to begin a new marketing campaign. The latest catchphrase from them is “Know It Now.” But that’s not entirely accurate.
Last Friday, Rick Gershman of the St. Pete Times looked into some changes coming to SoHo. The article, “Word on the street about SoHo” includes stories about Whisky Park closing or moving, zoning changes in the building currently housing The Dubliner, and St. Bart’s creating a members-only private club. Certainly news that is important for businesses and residents in that area of town.
But you see, our good friend Bill Sharpe wrote about the zoning changes and what they mean two weeks ago. In his “On The Street” column, SoHo Bill also told you about the decision to make St. Bart’s a private club and the closing and demolition of Whisky Park way back in June – Five months ago!
Two things here. First – It should now be quite clear that traditional media is getting more stories and information (and headlines!) from non-traditional media without always acknowledging it.
Second - If you want to know what’s going on in your neighborhood, you need to check with your neighbors. The newspapers are among the LAST to know.
Tags: newspapers, restaurant, soho, tampa
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November 7th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
This isn’t the first nor the last time Bill will scoop the local newspapers.
November 7th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
yr right that newspapers are the last to know. most reporters and editors on them dont live where they write about, and thats why. still, tho ill give mr bill credit, when he speaks its like a tree falling in the forest. its still not widely known until the more eyes see it in print.
November 8th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Hey, Tommy. Hey, Bill. Interesting discussion here.
The fact is, everything that appeared in the Times article is information we’d received entirely independent of Bill’s blog. We’ve reported on several of those matters in the past, and we have our own sources in the community.
That said, I won’t deny that we check out sticks of fire, sohotampa and numerous other blogs to keep apprised of what people are talking about in the community. I’m continually impressed at how the non-traditional media grows and improves at becoming a powerful source of information.
Okay, so Bill wrote about Whiskey Park’s eviction five months ago. Good point. Here’s another: My co-worker, Sherri Day, first wrote about it 16 months ago. July 2005.
As I’ve written about before, I live in South Tampa. I live less than a half-mile from the Dubliner and MacDinton’s, and I walk/stumble/crawl there and back, oh, way too often for my liver to make it past the age of 40.
My City Times co-worker Alexandra Zayas lives just as close. Our South Tampa editor lives in, oh, South Tampa. We live, breathe, eat and drink South Tampa. We’re not following anyone’s lead on anything.
Not that we don’t appreciate what Tommy and Bill do. We certainly do. Tommy, you know I’ve been a SOF fan for a long time. But I’m happy to answer anyone’s questions about how we go about our reporting process.
November 8th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
A tad bit defensive aren’t we! This isn’t the only incident where City Times took something online and ran with it as its own. Maybe the editors know, maybe not. The point here is give Bill credit or put him on the payroll!
November 8th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Not defensive at all, C.W. Just curious. I’m sure you’d be happy to provide us with some examples of when “City Times took something online and ran with it as its own.” We’ll be waiting.
November 8th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Yawn, the paers steal and I went to the editors with it and got the same yawn I am giving now to this issue. Simple fact is reporters are poeple, and most people are lazy, so they let others do the resarch for them. It is better then having the reporters write only about their own experiences, friends and hangouts which a lot of them do in this town.
November 8th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Hey Rick!
Thanks for the kind words!
I don’t doubt your explanation above. And I’m 100% sure you have your own sources for all the news you report.
I’m sure you can understand that the similarities in the stories, along with the headlines (both use “on the street”), you can see where it would be easy to make an assumption.
I still believe some of your peers find information online, and do not acknowledge where it comes from.
Thanks again for the kind words - they are much appreciated.
November 8th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
Hey, Tommy. Thanks for your e-mail, and as I noted there, no problem at all. I remain a big fan of SOF.
Now write some more good stuff so we can steal it.