“Heh” for rent
Mister Snitch! wonders if Glenn Reynolds has been bought off:
The only reason we can imagine is that Reynolds is being paid to sprinkle a certain number of Amazon links into his mix, the same way he is now quite obviously obliged to send PJ Media (and its affiliated sites) a certain amount of traffic. If you haven’t noticed already, take a look at Prof. Reynolds’ URL. Instapundit.com is history. The site is now http://www.pajamasmedia.com/instapundit, which as search engine optimization mavens know, is a gimmick designed to prop up the Google Page Rank of Instapundit’s new parent — PJ Media.
We now have to wonder what Reynolds was paid to change his URL, what he’s paid to favor PJ Media links over others, and what he’s paid to send traffic to Amazon. And mostly, we wonder why he never bothered to tell his readers. Could it be that he thought this less-merit-based criteria for choosing posts would not be applauded?
I dunno. I thought it was perfectly obvious by the mere fact that he did change his URL that he was going to be more closely associated with PJ in one fashion or another, and they made an announcement of sorts. As for Amazon, anyone and his sock-puppet-in-law can earn affiliate points; this is no big deal. (Frankly, though, I’d rather buy through Kathy Shaidle these days; she’s got some staggering legal bills.)
Still, there’s some reason for concern:
We also wonder just when Reynolds decided his integrity was a salable commodity. We don’t MIND that he makes money doing what he does. In fact, he’d more or less have to be reimbursed for his time, after all these years. But, a guy who spends his days pondering the credibility of others (especially the media) should be strictly above-board. And taking money under the table like this, in any business, is just sleazy.
If it’s under the table, how come it’s so easy to see?
While the possibility of increased commerce may have affected his volume of linkage, I’m not persuaded that his editorial judgment has been affected in the same fashion. Of course, I don’t use Instapundit as my major news filter, and in the absence of specific wording I don’t assume that an Instapundit link to something necessarily implies an endorsement or recommendation beyond the simple “Hey, take a look at this.”
Then again, you should not presume that I’m on the side of the angels just because I’m making no money from my site.
Mister Snitch! »
27 August 2008 · 8:34 pm
They made an announcement of sorts.
I see. What we’re not told, though, is the REASON for the URL change. We know what PJ gets out of it (even though the site is NOT upfront and does not say why this was done), but what does Reynolds get from the change? And what does he get from all his redirection of traffic to PJ Media?
Then there’s the matter of the flood of Amazon links. Does he love Amazon so much that he now links to pitches for products he knows nothing about, just ’cause he’s a nice guy? But what about the reader, who’s following Reynolds recommendations? Doesn’t the reader have the right to know that Reynolds is paid to place these links?
“As for Amazon, anyone and his sock-puppet-in-law can earn affiliate points”
Yes. And this relationship is made transparent on their blogs or Amazon links. Not so on Reynolds’ blog, though. The Amazon links look like any other link.
I don’t care if he gets paid. By all means, if he can get paid, that’s great. But don’t pretend a link was placed out of merit when it’s actually an ad. That, in fact, is exactly the sort of thing Reynolds has complained about at length in the past.
As you know, I’ve also said that just because a blogger is NOT paid, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a hidden agenda.
“I don’t assume that an Instapundit link to something necessarily implies an endorsement or recommendation beyond the simple “Hey, take a look at this.”
OK. But Reynolds’ self-implication and press coverage from Day One has been that ‘I post about the things in which I believe’. In fact, I would guess that your loyal readers assume that your blog, also, reflects your beliefs, and that you are not engaging in the practice Reynolds himself derides as Astroturfing. That is – an agenda posing as ‘grass roots’, or (in this case) paid ads pretending to be posts.
“If it’s under the table, how come it’s so easy to see?”
It’s a glass table. Not much of a disguise, never said it was. But even THAT is rather insulting – it’s as if they’re telling me either (a) our sh·t doesn’t stink (like everyone else’s does), (b) you’re too stupid to see through our ruse -so why bother disguising it, or (c) you’re either too compromised or cowardly to call us on our hypocrisy.
My gripe is that Reynolds (and PJ Media) does this while complaining bitterly whenever people they AREN’T in league with do it.
CGHill »
27 August 2008 · 9:02 pm
“…just because a blogger is NOT paid, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a hidden agenda.”
True, that.
Would identifying the paid links more plainly — say, a [Paid Link] indicator next to the permalink — be satisfactory, or are more drastic steps called for?
Jeffro »
27 August 2008 · 9:56 pm
People in glass houses……
I couldn’t tell you the last time I visited Insty. A link and “heh” just don’t cut it for me. I’d rather read someone’s writeup about some issue than seeing a “hey look at this” link.
But, apparently that’s just me, considering the traffic he gets.
And, after reading Steve H.’s (of Hog on Ice) rants about PJM, I’ve no use for the whole thing.
McGehee »
28 August 2008 · 12:56 am
Seems to me if it’s a glass table, there’s not much to complain about if stuff gets passed under it. Nobody says you have to pretend you can’t see it.
But like Jeffro, Instapundit and I have “grown apart.” As in, he contributes the “grow” and I contribute the “apart.” On the one hand, it’s not my time that’s being wasted so it’s easy for me not to care. On the other hand, people who let their time be wasted, arguably have a different kind of caring problem.
I also don’t have much of an opinion one way or the other about PJM. I thought the name cute when I first heard it, and if I gave it a second thought itn was probably … now.
Mark Alger »
28 August 2008 · 9:50 am
WTF? Reynolds was a founding member of PJM. Why is it any surprise he’s supporting the organization?
M
Charles Pergiel »
31 August 2008 · 12:35 pm
You are not on the side of the angels?!?! Just whose side are you on?
CGHill »
31 August 2008 · 12:42 pm
Mine, unless I can wangle some space next to Sarah Palin.
CGHill »
31 August 2008 · 7:06 pm
Possibly pertinent, from the Professor himself:
THANKS TO THE MIRACLE OF SCHEDULED POSTING, new stuff will keep popping up today. But I’m en route to Minnesota where I’ll be a TV pundit for Pajamas TV. It should be fun. I’ve never been to a political convention, and never planned to go to one, but how often do you get to be a TV talking-head at a national political convention? And I think this Internet TV thing has a future, so it’s fun to see it at the beginning. [Are they paying you to do this? -- ed. As much as I get paid for any of the TV appearances I do! Which means, er, no.]