We learned a lot through the media tour this week. NASCAR is changing the points system. RPM has a new CEO, who happens to also be female. Felix Sabates has a lot of ideas for how to make things better (on second thought, not sure we learned anything there). Larry McReynolds thinks the sport’s media is too negative. And some in the sport’s press corps have thin skin. All in all, an enlightening week.
Perhaps most enlightening though were those comments from McReynolds and the backlash he incurred. Serving as EGR’s MC on Monday, McReynolds told a less than receptive crowd to be “more positive.” The snark and angry responses that ensued were large in number, but not exactly surprising. I’m sure some of you saw them.
Monte Dutton of the Gaston Gazette wrote:
McReynolds and his (Fox) mates would much rather talk about ingrown toenails than empty seats. He seldom used the noun “sport” without the modifier “our.” He perhaps considers himself uniquely qualified to lecture on the subject of ethics, as one of his employers is fond of proclaiming itself “fair and balanced.”
And Jeff Gluck of SB Nation wrote:
At the very least, offering a large group of people suggestions on how to do their jobs makes everyone defensive, and it’s certainly not going to make anyone change how they do their jobs.
Point taken Jeff.
Thanks for the ethics lesson… not
The fact is, McReynolds was always going to lose with these comments. Reporters aren’t going to admit (if they are) that they have taken a negative slant, and fans aren’t going to admit their outlook on the sport is at least, in some measure, colored by what they read and hear (it is). I’m not sure what the impetus was for McReynolds to make these comments, but they were a not so great idea.
The common refrain out of much of the press corps was: “we’re just telling like it is.” And since NASCAR’s media is a bastion of journalism in this country, why should anyone be questioning them? They are, of course, always objective, and never delve into opinion or question the decisions of the sport’s drivers, team executives, team owners, sanctioning body etc. Just the facts.
Snark aside, Larry McReynolds probably shouldn’t be lecturing anyone on ethics in journalism. And the sport’s press corps is right that they have a moral and ethical responsibility to “seek truth and report it.” Still what McReynolds said contains at least a grain of truth.
As a side note, after railing against McReynolds (inherently a negative thing), it took just a couple of days for some members of the press corps to further strengthen McReynolds’ point. No sooner had NASCAR announced the points change on Wednesday, had the sports media begun tearing it apart. These scathing editorials from some people who are normally tasked with writing the news, no doubt has colored perception. Or maybe not?
Fans can think for themselves
Jeff Gluck wrote:
Fans can think for themselves and make up their own minds – about everything.
One of the first things you learn in the news business is that every decision you make when you’re crafting your story is a matter of opinion. Every comma, every period, every sentence not written, every shot edited out, they’re all editorial decisions that can change the meaning of a story. That in turn can affect how the story is told to the readers, viewers or listeners, and how they see a particular event.
While Gluck is absolutely correct, that fans are capable of thinking for themselves, as a steward of the news, and perceived expert on the sport, what he and others say matters. It especially matters to those who closely read and follow what he and other favorites have to say.
Whether you want to admit it or not, unless you’re personally witnessing events, the person or organization you’re getting your news and information from colors your perception. And there is nothing wrong with that.
For instance, I like college football, but I’m not an expert on recruiting – what Rivals.com and other ranking experts have to say about a recruit absolutely affects my opinion of said recruit. The same is true in NASCAR. People tend to defer to those who have more knowledge than they have, it’s human nature.
Some final thoughts
I didn’t agree with everything Larry McReynolds had to say on Monday, but I do think he made a good point about the environment that has enveloped the sport’s media. Some in the press corps write about NASCAR with clear disdain. And I think there is a good deal more negativity that permeates NASCAR than other sports – I think a lot of that has to do with respect for leadership at the top (‘Craftsman World Truck Series’ anyone?).
I know this going to sound ground breaking, but I also think it’s possible to be factual and honest without being inflammatory and unnecessarily negative – on the flip side it’s possible to do all that without being ‘Pollyanna’ish.
Until we once again strike that balance though these charges of negativity are going to continue to pop up. And until the collective press corps is willing to look in a mirror and see itself for what it is, warts and all (some proved on Monday they aren’t ready), nothing is going to change.
The fourth estate is alive and well in NASCAR. There is no doubt about that. For the sake of the sport though, that may or may not be a good thing.
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