BEWARE OF THE PRESS [posted for Donk...]

[imported_mknutson]

BEWARE OF THE PRESS



Hopefully most of you have no idea what I am referring to but for those of you who do let me say that you cannot trust the press. They will tell you they are writing a story about one thing then write a horrible dark story about something completely different and when you see the end result you will feel like you have been, raped, disemboweled, and hung out to dry. As maybe you should for talking to the press in the first place.



The intent of the story was to write about legal BASE jumping, in an effort to help with a legal event in our area that has been in the works for over a year. The sleaze bag reporter lulled many into believing he was writing a pro BASE story and was going to write about things like Moab, Perrine, and Bridge Day…instead he wrote a dark, criminal minded, law breaking version and has set any efforts at legal event here back years if not permanently.



Even worse, this person was our friend (or so we thought). He was a fixture around us for more than two years. He came to our parties, had dinner in our houses, and even worked ground crew on some jumps for more than two years…but he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing set out to destroy anything good we accomplished over the last three years. Not only did he write a twisted dark story about BASE, he stole pictures and background information from our private website and used them in the article.



For those of you who know what I am referring to all I can say is it was a tragic mistake that had nothing but good intentions. If someone needs to be the scapegoat for this then I will take full responsibility for trusting this scumbag and if tar and feathers need to be thrown so be it but those closest to this should be the one who get the honors. Justice will be served in many forms to both the magazine and writer, rest assured.



If you want to no more detail, email me and I will tell you all I know. Donk@kc.rr.com

Donk...

[base428]

Let's look at the positives in this story - they didn't write about how you humped that apple pie at the Turkey Boogie. :P

"An optimist would say the parachute is half open". -JB

------------
Jason Bell (BASE428)
Email: jbell@vertical-visions.com
Web: www.vertical-visions.com or www.bridgeday.info

[Iiro]

Press is press. They want to sell as many magazines and newspapers as possible, and they will do anything to do so. I have no idea which case you were referring, but i know a thing or two how media works.

Base-jumping attracts all kind of press and this includes the scandalous press as well. These guys are the voulchers (pardon my france and spelling :)) at the landing area, at events like Petronas. They high five you, but can't wait for someone to die, so they can sell the pictures all over the world. You can't make them go away, but you can ignore them.

Even if a reporter gives you his/her word that our sport will be promoted fairly, it means nothing. Even if the reporter lets you read the article in advance, it means nothing. Even if reporter's intentions are honorable (hahahaa), it means nothing. That's because there will always be the editor. The editor usually makes changes to the article before the print. He does this to make the article more entertaining and exciting for readers.

There are ways to prevent this.

Do a search on the magazine and the reporter. Read how they have written in the past. Decide if they are something you want to be associated with? Have a lawyer to make a contract between the magazine and you. Make it clear that you have to ok (on paper!) the article, no changes can be made (make sure the contract includes the "headlines" as well) and if the magazine breaks this contract, they have to pay...a lot. Don't do this contract between the reporter and you, but with the editor in chief. The magazine can easily ignore the contracts by reporters (they are often free lance journalists) and refuse to pay, but they can't ignore the contracts made by the "suits". Always go after the big guys.

If you're asking a contract and they refuse - don't do it. It's actually pretty simple. People who still proceed with an interview do it out of vanity, not to promote the sport. There is absolutely no point whining after you have ASSUMED something and you were proved to be wrong. No-one was forcing you to give an interview.

There are quite a few good reporters out there. See how they write and stick to ones you like.

If you want to be absolutely sure of the outcome, write the articles yourself, or hire a professional writer to interview you. Sell the article with kickass pictures AND make a contract that they can't change a word.

There is nothing older than yesterday's papers. You might feel used, but you'll get over it. It sucks if an object was burned, but new ones will come. Next time you will know better...

Iiro

[K]

Thanks for this, Iiro.

I have been wanting to write BASE articles since before I jumped, but have been very afraid to for these very reasons. I certainly didn't want to make my splash into the BASE world by writing an article that burned BASE in any way, and as Iiro points out, the editor often takes liberties that even the author can't stop. I've been in a major conflict with my desire to write about the greatest sport in the world and the fear of getting tarred and feathered for my efforts. Time will tell...

K

[Skinflicka]

Tar & Feather may make your butt look big.

Don't shoot the messenger.

Skin.