Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The aftermath

Well, that was quite a day. I apologise for not posting anything with actual content but, because I am so self-absorbed, I wanted to keep my tale of woe at the top of the page. I promise to amend that situation presently. For now, here are a few thoughts:
  • Thanks again to my legal advisers, both qualified and 'pub'. From what I can tell, I would have at least an arguable case in court but it would cost both money and time, only one of which I have in appreciable amounts.
  • In a sudden, rash leap of enthusiasm, I have joined Twitter. I don't really understand how it works, or why people would want to know what I'm doing all the time, but if I say it's for the blog than I can probably avoid cognitive dissonance. Anyway, if you are au fait with Twitter and determined to know my Herald-related goings-on, you can find me as 'EditingLeHerald'.
  • I should probably also say that I don't really blame any individuals at the Herald for what has gone on. Mr Elliott is only doing his job, and it turns out that the job of corporate lawyers in cases like this is to threaten. Similarly, although I bag them (because they are the ones with their names on the article), I don't really blame the journalists for the lack of quality at the Herald. Given the massive cuts to newsroom staff over the last decade, it's amazing that they can actually produce a newspaper every day. Still, I suppose that the premise on which I base this blog is that the answer to the ongoing problems in the newspaper industry cannot be continued cuts to staff and quality, and the tabloidisation that brings - that will merely bring death by a thousand cuts. If there is a future for the Herald, it surely lies in a quality, albeit relatively niche, product.
Anyway, thanks for your support (except for you, Anon #1). If you enjoy rubber-necking at journalistic car-crashes, feel free to stick around.

14 comments:

  1. Rock on with some content. Hopefully you can offend someone personally and have an (unsubstantiated) libel case brought against you for more publicity ;)

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  2. I don't want to see too much of this apologising business, get your rage on again please.

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  3. No Comrpromise; No Sell Out; No Disclaimers, Coe.

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  4. Thank's to APN's actions I now know this blogsite exists and will follow with interest.
    I long have felt the Herald's columnists seek to write modern history in their own colour with no facts to back it up.

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  5. This story still has some legs ;) NBR picked it up this morning. http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/david-cohen/apn-not-amused

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  6. Can't find you on Twitter mate... is EditingLeHerald correct?

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  7. James....Angry like injured Coebra please!!

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  8. I can find it...

    http://twitter.com/EditingLeHerald

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  9. All this must really be taking a toll on you James. Garth is back in form today and alas, no Garthrage anywhere to be seen. I eagerly await the next installment of 'Party on Garth'.

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  10. Hahaha does the guy from the NBR know you James? I liked the characterization of you sitting at home in your pyjamas blogging. If only he'd written 'at his parents' house' for complete accuracy...

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  11. I think it's time for a "your views"

    Should James sell out? Have your say:

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  12. "All this must really be taking a toll on you James. Garth is back in form today and alas, no Garthrage anywhere to be seen. I eagerly await the next installment of 'Party on Garth'."

    Seconded with a vengeance.

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  13. look, Mr. Elliot was admitted at the Ak HC in 1988. don't mess with him, he's been a lawyer almost as long as you've been able to write.

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  14. Hmm. The Garthage Man has a good ring to it.

    Anyway, you're meant to be courteous and follow people back on twitter. If you do that, it actually makes the service more interesting.

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