Tuesday, August 16, 2016

What Price Must The Daily Beast Pay for Olympics Misstep?


The Daily Beast deserved to be called out on their unseemly Olympics piece. It was fucked up and we've all let them know as much. But how far do we intend to go with this? They've removed the article. They're admitted they were wrong. They've improved the poorly worded note from the editors. And they've recalled the journalist from the Rio Games. Yet it seems many still can't take yes for an answer. I urge everyone to look through The Beast's archives and remember they are not our enemy -- their history is as pro-LGBT as you can get. Let's save the unbridled outrage for people who really are out to get us -- the types who double down when called out on what they're doing -- instead of piling on to journalists who actually took the time to listen to our concerns and have accepted responsibility for their mistakes. 


5 comments:

hal said...

"What else?"
Some acknowledgement and an apology from the author of the "article" is still warranted, I believe.

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

News organizations typically issue corrections and clarifications, not reporters. The Daily Beast has done this, apologizing and saying they were wrong.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/11/a-note-from-the-editors.html

zealot said...

I think some of us believe that an apology, retraction or other post-publication action taken by The Daily Beast, while reassuring, comes too late to secure the safety of athletes put at risk by running the article in question. As for me these actions ring hollow in light of the lack of good sense and journalistic integrity which should have led TDB editorial staff to 1). Shamed the author for his outrageous deception to gain access to closeted gay athletes; and 2). Writing a condescending story which may very well expose these athletes to a plethora of harm upon return to their home countries. I did and still contend that if any of these athletes suffer physical harm, imprisonment, loss of job, loss of their sporting credentials, or are ostracized in any way, it lands squarely on the heads of TDB editors and the author. They can apologize all they want. That story never should have seen the light of day, and there is nothing than can make it disappear, even pulling it from their website won't accomplish that. Count me among those who will damn The Daily Beast over one article, especially when the safety and well-being of LGBTQ athletes is in question.

mwk said...

Zealot is right. I sure hope your friends never cross you. Sheesh

MMTampa said...

It seems lately, apologies are a dime a dozen. It was a lame ass story and "reported" by a "straight" reporter - time to move on. . .

P.S. mwk caused me to spit my Merlot all over my phone.