We don’t get HBO, so I haven’t been able to watch a Costas Now Town Hall on Taking Stock of the Sports Media Landscape, Including the Rise of Internet Bloggers and Sports Talk Radio. The New York Times has a recap of a portion of the show, pitting author Buzz Bissinger (author of “Friday Night Lights”) with Will Leitch, founder of Deadspin.com. You can see the clip of the debate below.

Let’s put aside the fact that much of the quotes from Bissinger and Costas were from commenters, a fact that both either didn’t fully understand or didn’t truly address succinctly. This piece raised a few big questions (see my answers):

1. Are blogs dedicated to cruelty? First, blogs are no more uniform than any type of media, including newspapers, television programs, radio programs, newsletters, CD’s, and DVD’s. Sports blogs run the gamut in purpose, sport covered, tone, and journalistic integrity. Kickette, one of the finalists for Best Sports Blog (Bloggies) is the Go Fug Yourself of soccer, so much more different than Roll ‘Bama Roll, dedicated to all things Crimson Tide or Dawg Sports (University of Georgia). Most of these single entity blogs are a gather place for die-hard fans to celebrate, commiserate, rant, gossip, and generally fuel their passion. Dedicated to cruelty? A small minority, just as other gossip media are (see the National Enquirer, Entertainment Tonight, London’s trash papers).
2. Are blogs dedicated to dishonesty? Is it easier to put whatever you want to put up on a blog that you own, putting truth aside as best you can? I think it is easier, no doubt about it. But are blogs dedicated to dishonesty? Dishonesty is significantly different than getting a story wrong. Again, blogs that are consistently dishonest will lose readership, like any media source (satirical sources excluded; e.g., The Onion).
3. Are blogs dedicated to speed? All media has pushed more to speed, and blogs are hardly the exception here. In sports, you can start with ESPN and their reporting of rumors from their lead investigators. Here are just a few quick examples: Smoltz makes it clear in text message he’s returning as a reliever “I am planning on coming back as a reliever first, and more than likely for the rest of this year,” Smoltz said in a text message to the newspaper late Wednesday. (Text message as the single source, one of the easiest things to fake/manipulate) Kerr refutes report saying D’Antoni, Suns might part ways referring to the SI.com report of D’Antoni’s Tenure in Phoenix is Over (yet the Arizona Republic has it this way: D’Antoni, Kerr to discuss plans “There now is a national impression that Mike D’Antoni coached his last Suns game Tuesday after an online report stated so.”) Media has always balanced speed with getting the story right. Always. Blogs are no different.
4. Do bloggers lack journalistic credentials? This is a yes for the vast majority of anyone who blogs, sports bloggers included.
5. Do bloggers lack journalistic capabilities? This is a more significant question. What is the differentiation of a journalist? Webster defines the journalist as a writer or editor for a news medium or a writer who aims at a mass audience. It is interesting to see their second definition: a person who keeps a journal. Do all bloggers conduct research and find the facts? Probably a better question. This is probably the most significant point that Costas is driving by bringing on Leitch, as Deadspin purposely does not go to press boxes or events to bring their stories. It is very easy for a blogger to regurgitate what they’ve read on another blog or website without doing due diligence. However, the greed of driving eyeballs and traffic actually assists many bloggers with finding sources to reinforce their point. A good blogger will link to other’s reports and posts, driving traffic to said source while establishing credibility in the process. Do bloggers conduct primary research? That would be mostly a no, I assume. Do the biggest blogs conduct primary research? The biggest blogs aren’t too different than a small newspaper anyways, with a team of writers, editors, and photographers out finding stories. Add readers firing in their own scoops to send the blog to look into the smoke, and you have a situation no different than most other media outlets.
   
6. Do bloggers follow a code of ethics? Here are the Code of Ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists (see below for the entire document). The main categories: Seek Truth and Report It, Minimize Harm, Act Independently, and Be Accountable. Minimize Harm is often, unfortunately, in direct conflict to Drive Traffic/Ratings/Eyeballs/Revenue (see Britney Spears et al). This is really the test of any person who creates media viewed or read by an audience. It goes to the values of the media source, as well as to the individual creator of content.
   
7. Do bloggers lack writing capabilities? I feel strongly that blogs and online media have given an outlet and audience to a tremendous number of individuals who otherwise would have had little outlet for their nascent writing skills. It also has allowed struggling writers to hone their craft, develop an audience, and pay their bills in lieu of working multiple schlep jobs. You can look no further than Paul Maguire for an example of this. His Tao of Poker is one of the most widely read sites about all things poker, and he was one of the early adopters when it came to blogs and revenue generation. He also is a terrific writer, and the former has enabled him to hone his craft with the latter. I would relate my own personal experience as the polar opposite side of blogging and writing capabilities. I’ve been able to develop my own voice, style, and skills through writing this blog and writing for websites. I have zero training in writing (OK, one college course in Creative Writing–irrelevant), but I’ve brought some of my business skills to what I do: research, interviewing, analytical capabilities. How different are bloggers from journalists and authors when it comes to writing capabilities? The best of all three of these really differ minimally from one another when it comes to writing skills (or maybe the best authors are different than the best journalists, those more experienced can chime in as I don’t think I’m qualified to know what I’m talking about).

The Blogosphere is abuzz, so what do you think?

Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society’s principles and standards of practice.

Seek Truth and Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
— Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.
— Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
— Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
— Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
— Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
— Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story
— Never plagiarize.
— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
— Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
— Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

— Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
— Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
— Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
— Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
— Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
— Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
— Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.

Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public’s right to know.

Journalists should:

—Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.

Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.

Journalists should:

— Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
— Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
— Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
— Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
— Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

First in a series of interviews from people we want to learn more about. We’ll give away two iTunes downloads of her new CD The Siren and the Sage after randomly drawing those who leave comments or link to this interview. email met at csquard@gmail.com to be sure you’ve gotten your entry in.

if you’re still there when it’s all over
I’m scared I’ll have to say
that a part of you has gone
since yesterday
and as we sit here alone
looking for a reason to go on
it’s so clear that all we have now
are our thoughts of yesterday

“Since Yesterday” The Siren and the Sage

The lyrics of Norwegian songstress Anne Marie Almedal reflect love and love lost, yet they hardly reflect where she is. After being part of the Velvet Belly for ten years (and winning a Norwegian Grammy in the process), she’s happily married, a mother, and catching a glimpse of a global audience for her life’s calling after being featured as a New Release on iTunes. Her voice is unique, her words simple yet poignant.

CC: Let’s begin at the beginning. You are from Kristiansand, a large town on the Southern coast of Norway. Describe Kristiansand and Norway.

Anne Marie: Yes, I come from Norway, the picture postcard place of endless Scandinavian pine forests, fjords, northern lights, midnight sun - and yet with an underbelly of high suicide rates, loneliness and an intense “social democracy” that unwittingly numbs a vast amount of it´s people. I live in the Southern coast, the so-called “bible belt.” The coastline is rugged with the crashing waves of the North Sea, and we are 300 or so kilometers south of the capital Oslo - in the love-hate, but proud city of Kristiansand.

CC: You studied Theology in your University years. How has faith been a part of your life and your music?

Anne Marie: Faith has always played a major part of my life. My grandfather was a priest, a major figure in the family, so religion naturally figured in my upbringing. The perennial questions of faith are fascinating and necessary for me, you, and everyone we know–whether they like to admit it or not! Music can feel uplifting in the same way as religious faith. It takes you to the wide open spaces of beauty where you can lose yourself and feel truly happy, a place with no fear.

CC: You studied at the Music Conservatoire of Rotterdam. How did your time their impact your music?

Anne Marie: I studied voice in the “light music” department, which means I touched everything from cabaret to jazz to pop. This knowledge and serious study of voice had a big impact on me. It opened up my musical horizons and perhaps added a vital edge to my own songwriting and performance. As artists, we should never stop searching for new ideas and approaches - and as well as teaching others. Even now in the Music Conserveratory in Kristiansand, I am equally glad to attend other voice seminars - as an ever-keen pupil - like recently at the amazing “Institute for living voice” series I attended, with a seminar given by an amazing American, vocalist/composer Meredith Monk.

CC: Are there any common traits in Norwegian music?

Anne Marie: In these globalized times, the borders just get smaller and the ideals (and idols) get closer. Norwegian music does maybe have a certain addictive melancholy and melody that is perhaps quite unique. You just have to lose yourself to Jan Gabarek´s soundscapes, Kings of Convenience, A-ha – you name it! The quality has always been there, but in recent times the rest of the world has finally begun to listen…

CC: Do you see yourself as a singer or a songwriter?

Anne Marie: Singer, Songwriter, Siren, Sage

CC: What is it like to be an artist and a mother? How do these different aspects coexist for you?

Anne Marie: In these -me me MySpace “I don´t want kids” - times, sometimes you wonder whether female artists are really scared of having children and finding a balance with their career ambitions. It really shouldn’t be an issue. Of course having children means less freedoms; at the same time, it brings discipline, purpose, and focus. Studio time and touring is much more of a logistic jigsaw puzzle these days – especially with my husband (Nicholas Sillitoe), who is both in the studio and performing live with me.
All in all, my two children have been a huge inspiration for me…and it feels very harmonic.

CC: Your first release, The Siren and the Sage, is a beautiful recording.

Anne Marie: For this album, the primary concerns were warmth, beauty, and organic delivery. We did much of the recording in a vast disused factory space, where the long natural reverbs defined much of the character of the album. A sound to lose yourself in. The “Siren” is indeed a voice of beauty, driving the listener away from the path…dangerous in the sense that it can overwhelm you. The “Sage” is perhaps the wisdom of femininty…very much based on my own experiences as a vocalist and being a seasoned explorer in the labyrinth of the music industry. But, perhaps the message is just simple. There is so much love and freedom in this album. Like floating in water, looking at the sky, the clouds and dreams that come and go…

CC: What do you draw your inspiration from?

Anne Marie: Quiet suburban roads, lonely lampposts, the deep red sunsets over pine trees in my garden. This is what I see from the window when I sit down by a piano and write songs. Magic moments of solitude and joy.

CC: And the words?

Anne Marie: Love and Loss, somewhere between the alpha omega rush of falling in love and out of love. My words are personal, yet with emotional layers I clearly want others to relate to. Issues of faith, dreams, melancholy, yes! – but at the same time full of hope. On my new album songs like “Trouble” tackle the delights and trappings of unfaithfulness. “Monterosso” is simply my own heavenly experience of hearing the distant sound of nuns singing in Italy while I was in a half-awake state, how moments, sensations, places can just take you away. I hope listeners can take their own experiences, feel somewhat mirrored by the lyrics and delivery; after all, the words to the songs are like the script to the film–essential!

CC: Your voice has so much warmth and heart, yet you’ve been an artist really your whole life and have a technically trained education. Where does the intimacy of these songs come from?

Anne Marie: Again, it´s maybe the result of growing up in a small coastal town, with innocent suburban dreams and ambitions. Close to nature, close to God, being in tune with the voice within. When people refer to my songs and “sound” they often tune in to a sense of loneliness and at the same time a feeling of togetherness. Maybe this is emphasized by the quietude of my own writing process, my surroundings and also the openness of the production.

CC: Your album is available at iTunes, which has to be pretty exciting.

Anne Marie: iTunes, digital Downloads – yes tomorrow is indeed now!
Being a front page featured new release just recently on iTunes in the US and having at least for now the chance to be discovered in the digital (and legal) Apple music supermarket is wonderful news! It can really take a long time before Warner will ever release the “physical” cd in the US – so for now iTunes, Amazon etc. is where it´s at!

To reach music lovers and new listeners via their laptops, iPods and with airplay on cutting edge stations like California’s KCRW – this is all a really good step forward. Feedback from the US has been really positive so far, so I hope all this can eventually lead to some live performances in the States! I love to perform in in an acoustic setting, stripped from all the studio trickery. We are five people on stage; no drums, no bass,but a lot of heavenly sounds and timeless folksy grooves! And truth is, I love to travel and perform… so as long as Warner Music delivers what is promised, we´ll be there. Quiet and very proud! Meantime, I’ll be close to home. There are festivals and live gigs to plan and play, songs to sing, day to day promotion, management, and of course the joy of family life. I’m actually starting some new recording sessions tomorrow. Inspired and full of light and love!

Anne Marie can be found on MySpace, and head to iTunes to download The Siren and the Sage.

(photos: Julie Pike, courtesy of Warner Music, all rights reserved)