I wrote THIS in September when I heard the shortlist...
Having won the award last year I have to say I am extremely disappointed thatI think Nick Robinson is one of the finest political journalists there is. But the best blogger in Britain he is not. Paul Waugh really does have a strong claim to that title for reasons Will Straw has eloquently outlined HERE.
not a single independent blogger is shortlisted this year. More evidence that
the mainstream media is eating up the blogosphere?
I hope the organisers of this award will pick a jury next year who actually know something about blogging and would urge them also to differentiate between independent bloggers and those who blog as part of their mainstream media job. They are very different beasts.
What a joke.
ReplyDeleteHe is very sporadic. Rarely news breaking, never engages with his readers and all in can barely be described as a blogger.
A ridiculous decision that cheapens the award.
I wonder if Andrew Marr thinks Nick is a drunk writing from his mother's basement?
"I think Nick Robinson is one of the finest political journalists there is."
ReplyDeleteOh do come on, Iain. What on earth leads you to that conclusion? He's consistently wrong on so many issues, biased, and lacking any real gravitas or knowledge. He's entirely supported by researchers. Heaven knows how he manages to cling on to his lucrative post.
That said, I'm always amused to see him in action. He reminds me vividly of a pantomime dame in full flow - and probably doesn't actually need make-up or costume to complete the illusion.
It's his desperation to make a drama of everything that is so pathetic. Mind you, most political commentators are the same.
awards. awards. awards. yawn.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, there ought to be a separate category for the professionals and another for the politico blogertai...
ReplyDeleteNew kid on the block...
www.sonofrobespierre.com
When you start awarding awards for "Blogger of the Year", and start caring about who wins it, you're part of the MSM. Simple as that.
ReplyDeleteHasnt this always been an issue though. Even in your ow esteemed top blogs polls you are often comparing some who in essence blog full tim with others wo do it in their spare time. It isn't comparing appples with apples. When a blogger is a journalist whose job is to get stories are they really a blogger.
ReplyDeleteI hardly think someone with the weight of the BBC can be compare with the like of Dizzy Thinks who in spite of having a 'proper job' gets some really interesting stories.
Iain,
ReplyDelete"I hope the organisers of this award will pick a jury next year who actually know something about blogging and would urge them also to differentiate between independent bloggers and those who blog as part of their mainstream media job. They are very different beasts."
A very laudable aspiration, however the MSM were ALWAYS going to be gatekeepers and patrons of the bloggerati - that's just how new media works currently, despite airy claims of new paradigms in reporting.
Unless people are willing to hunt around for many of the excellent blogs out there that have low-to-no public profile, then the ones who are MSM friendly or whose authors have a profile beyond their blog (naming no names!) will always come out on top in these awards.
Self-licking lollipop
ReplyDeleteQuite how anyone who blogs on 'comment is free (unless we don't like it in which case we will moderate you)' can win an award is beyond me
The biggest story in the past year (what came to be known as climategate) was not broken on any of these blogs - in fact most studiously ignored it
Funny old thing
Robinson's coverage of the spending review was total rubbish.
ReplyDeleteIf Nick Robinson is blogger of the year, I'm ... lost for words.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that more and more we see "loose" instead of "lose". Aaggggg
ReplyDeleteAs someone elsewhere pointed out - "We paid for that camera. We'll wave what we want in front of it".
Very good!
Robinson a blogger? He just regurgitates his broadcasts. Pathetic. When did HE last break a story?
"When you start awarding awards for "Blogger of the Year", and start caring about who wins it, you're part of the MSM."
ReplyDeleteA candidate for Quote Of The Day. It used to be about the blogging, maaaan.
Blogger Schmogger Schmoozer.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is about doing your own thing, not hanging around trying to get approval from the very people who slavishly tow the line and prop up the status quo.
Nick Robinson is not a blogger.
Firstly, his traffic is there because of his position, not because of who he is. Honestly, who will read his blog (if he has one) when he leaves the BBC?
Secondly, he takes instructions from Helen Boaden on what to report on, and apparently, what to tweet on and what to say to his mates.
Thirdly, his comments are moderated by someone else, and it is heavily moderated at that, to the point of being censored.
Fourthly, he blogs for money.
Fifthly, he is as boring as shit.
Nick Robinson's entitlement to "Blogger of the Year" is about as kosher as a Bacon Bagel.
Looks like the awards are turning into a MSM mutual wankfest.
ReplyDeleteBest summation of the Robinson "win" is over at Guido's http://tinyurl.com/3y6huww
Follow the money. Editorial Int say
ReplyDelete" We work with some of the largest and most innovative brands in business, politics and the non-profit worlds. We produce special events, from our unique ‘British Davos’ symposium Names Not Numbers to the UK Comment Awards. We run modern training programmes for in-house teams"
So they get their money from big corporate, government & fakecharity sources. Who else are they going to award?
"...would urge them also to differentiate between independent bloggers and those who blog as part of their mainstream media job. They are very different beasts."
ReplyDeleteSo whuch camp are you in Iain? ;0)