Argus taking Blogosphere scoop without providing credit? One website seems to think so.
Remember when the Argus got after me for “repurposing” a Tim Johnson video interview (as they called it) that they had on their website, because it had an “embed” function for sharing among the various denizens of the internet? (Not to mention the fact they use a service which states in it’s user agreement that the content is to be shared.)
The point was that they didn’t like it when they thought I was using something that was theirs, despite providing full credit and a link back. Which was fine, as they claimed to not be technically adept enough to disable that button. Given that fair use guidelines are for excerpted works, and this was a gray area, I quickly complied.
Well, it sounds like a tempest is brewing today, over an instance where they are being accused of taking a breaking story that was to be found nowhere else but on the internet, causing them to base 2 days of their own stories on it- without even a mention of the on-line outlet where they found out about it.
And one South Dakota blogger isn’t taking it lying down:
—– Forwarded Message —-
From: Todd Epp
To: jverges@argusleader.com; Randell Beck
Cc: Pat Powers ; Doug Wiken ; Cory Allen Heidelberger ; Scott Ehrisman ; Scott Hudson ; Steve Sibson
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 9:14:44 AM
Subject: Thanks for crediting SD Watch!Josh:
I want to thank you for crediting South Dakota Watch’s breaking coverage of the Lincoln High School chorus and drumline kerfuffle at the Tax Day protest April 15th. Oh, wait. You didn’t. In the blogosphere, it is not just a courtesy but expected that if you comment or add to a story that you did not break that you credit and link to the original story. That goes for both blog and MSM sources. Apparently, the Argus Leader does not play by such rules of attribution or politeness.
This is not a criticism of your story. It was good–it was balanced and clarified and enhanced my own reporting on the matter. It is what I would expect from a professional journalist such as you. Nevertheless, you failed to acknowledge the source of the original reporting on April 15 and 16 on SDW.
Ironically, I know the Argus Leader will contact others who they believe have appropriated their work. And obviously, facts are not protected intellectual property. However, to ignore a source of original reporting of a major community event, in my opinion, is unprofessional and ignoring of how news on the web works in 2009.
In the blogosphere, the philosophy is “we send you away to bring you back.” We link to original sources and other sources because we know our readers crave more information about a topic. And we know that sending them to a competitor is not going lead to them never coming back to our own sites. Quite the contrary. We know our readers will return because they know that we appreciate their loyalty and intelligence. While I may be a “competitor” with other MSM outlets and my fellow bloggers, at least as far as we bloggers are concerned here in South Dakota, we believe the truth and facts–even though we may color them with our own points of view–is more important than a monopoly on such truth and facts.
I hope the Argus will reconsider this policy in the future.
Best regards,
Todd D. Epp
Editor/Publisher/Reporter
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
So at this point, Todd at SD Watch has lobbed the ball over to the Argus for in his mind a failure to practice what they preach.
Especially coming at a time when they face declining subscriptions, and their parent company Gannett reported posting a drop of nearly 60% in net income, one would think they’d be willing to try to evolve to embrace a model that is more in line with the modern era of on-line news as Todd describes.
Or at least embrace an old one, where if you find out about a story from a fellow news source, you give credit where credit is due.
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Comments
the Argus Liar is such a bunch of hapless buffoons that they have to steal hysterical blog content for their stories. no wonder the Argus becomes a bigger piece of crap every day
I have heard the band and the singers perform for DEMOCRATS in the past and the Argus NEVER made a big stink of out that. But as soon as the liberal teachers and the liberal reporters sense that their hero Obama might be criticized they go into hyperdrive to attack the dissenters. Nice job proving what a bunch of hacks you are Argus
Good email Todd, though I really don’t think it matters. Ellis and I bounce stuff off of each other all the time, Neither of us bother with keeping track. The way I look at it the Argus provides me with so much FREE content I figure I owe them a snippet or lead once in awhile. All is fair in love and war.
Todd Epp and the liberals say “jump!” and all the liberal reporters and editors at the Argus Leader say “how high??” and “how do you want the story written??” and “how else can we help you propagate liberalism???”
Jake:
If only I had such power. Randell Beck and I aren’t exactly the best of pals.
If there is one thing that unites all of us in South Dakota, liberal, conservative, East River, West River, Bucks and Tanagers, Coyotes and Jackrabbits, Democrats and Republicans, it is our dislike of the Argus Leader. 
Todd Epp
The Most Powerful Liberal in SD Media–Not Editor
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
When shall we expect the Argus expose on Todd Epp’s best friend and teacher at Lincoln High School Barry Foster who is a HUGE raging liberal and pushing socialism on his unsuspecting students. he was also an Obama delegate to the Democratic Convention last summer. When are we going to hear about how he “politicizes” the schools? When, Argus Leader, when???
an Argus editor it was announced today is moving to Washington to be a Herseth staffer! that tells you all you need to know about the thinking at the Argus Liberal Liar
When is the Argus Leader going to report on how the liberal teachers show Al Gore’s propaganda film in school?
Michael:
I think there’s a thing called the school board. If you have a problem with Barry, talk to them. Barry is an excellent educator who encourages his students to be involved in politics if they so desire, whichever party. And he is an outstanding friend and person. And I don’t think being a Democrat is a crime, even in South Dakota.
Todd Epp
Barry Foster is a ritual indoctrinator of students, implanting liberalism in the classroom, and making it clear to students that he was AN OBAMA DELEGATE. Foster is clearly Epp’s “source” for this stupid “story” and Foster’s blatant partisanship and politicizing of the classroom and involvement with partisan activities must be fully investigated by the school board and the Argus Leader
the Argus only runs stories designed to attack Tea Party people and conservatives. if you expect the Argus to do anything to actually expose the liberal indoctrination programs that go on at Sioux Falls high schools, then you’re crazy. only conservatives get attacked. the Argus wants the liberals to win. it’s that simple.
I have many sources of information, just like the MSM. And I often don’t reveal them because of the abuse that gets heaped on them if they do come out. PP does the same thing. Without inside sources, you wouldn’t get the news your need. Unless compelled to so by a court of law, I won’t give up my sources, whomever they may be. And you’ll never know who the source is on this story. The important thing was they were right.
Todd Epp
We need to have a complete review of all the partisan political activities engaged in by teachers at Lincoln High School and all the left-wing materials they use in the classrooms and their unions and how their unions lard up the Democrats campaign coffers. It’s time for Homan and Argus to launch a thorough investigation.
Epp: why is a drummer playing at a tea party more political than your buddy and Obama delegate and Lincoln County Democratic Party activist Barry Foster distributing liberal propaganda in the classroom at LHS and shilling for Democrats in the classroom on school time and giving money to teachers unions?
Hil, investigations into the political activities of public employees? Just stop and think for a minute. Does this sound like a good idea? Does it sound like a good use of tax dollars? What would the end result of these investigations be?
Hil:
Serious allegations. Better be able to back them up. But I’m guessing you’re too chicken to even try. Writing an anonymous comment on a blog comment doesn’t take much courage, bubba.
Epp
I don’t think Hil should have named names. But he/she does raise a point to consider. What’s the difference between campaigning in the classroom, and kids going to a political event? Both are school-and taxpayer-related.
Indulgent crap, as usual, by Epp. Listen, bloggers aren’t journalists – no matter what anyone thinks. No one holds Epp, or any other blogger for that matter, accountable for the b.s. rumors they propogate without investigation and with blatent bias. It’s also possible – despite the “Breaking” BS that Epp thinks he does – that they were tipped by another individual, or just by talk around town. Unless Epp KNOWS that they stole his scoop, he should shut the hell up.
He won’t though.
Ooooooo, the bitterness on here.
Hil…you and the rest of your slanderous rabble really need to come up with something more substantive than the spittle-spraying rantings you posted here.
Just because you are able to screech or scrawl it does not make it so. Proof pal. There is entirely too much noise from people who haven’t a clue as to what they are talking about, but it sounded good to them when it vomited from the mouth of a Limbaugh, a Beck or a Hannity.
Leave the slanderous bile to the professionals if you can’t back it up.
To all the bloggers slobbering over this one – lighten up Francis. I tend to agree with 3:24. Some journalists are bloggers but not all bloggers are journalists.
Wow, Todd and Nick, one day off the leash and out in the street and these Manatee Limbeasts are out for blood. Down boys, down big fellas.
Todd,
If you and PP will not reveal your sources for a story, why should the Argus Leader? Because they are ‘professional journalists’ who have higher standards than bloggers? Granted you and PP don’t try to hide your political believes, and so far your blog postings have reflected that.
Maybe the Argus Leader should publicly announce their believes so they can have more freedom to print what ever they want. ( They do anyway)
Perhaps “journalist” is now much like “buggy whip fabricator.” A quaint profession about to go by the boards.
I used to be a journalist. I make now bones that I’m not when I’m blogging. But I use many of the same techniques. And there’s one important difference. You know my biases. In fact, I’m proud of my biases. So reader beware. Filter as needed. And read other sources like PP to get a different point of view. That’s what I do.
You need to examine how often PP, me, and other bloggers are right on our stories. And compare that to the MSM. I’ll grant that they probably have a better ratio of right to wrong. But with their resources, they should. And it shouldn’t even be close among a newsroom full of professional journalists and a basement with a pajama-clad blogger in it. But it is. And the gap is narrowing.
Information wants to be free, both in terms of getting out and not costing. The Internet now makes that possible.
So, criticize me all you want. But there will be more Epps and PPs and Sibbys and Heidelbergers and Ehrismans in the future, for better or worse, like it or not. Might as well get used to it. (Or as Kim Mitchell might say, might as well go for a soda.)
And you have the ultimate power. If you don’t like what I write, don’t read my blog. No one has put a gun to your head to make you read it. Unless of course you put tin foil under your hat. Then I am making you read it.
Todd Epp
Media Whoredom Editor
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
7:12, thanks to PP, who provides links to other blogs, we don’t have to actually read your blog — the headlines pretty much say it all. What I find very amusing is that you lefties have talked about the Tea Parties ad nauseum. Jeez. What would you guys have done this week without the Tea Parties to trash? (And how can you, Todd, as a former journalist, dismiss them like your pals in the liberal MSM? When that many people show up in many cities for ANYTHING, it is news, even if you don’t like the organizers or the message.)
That said…I don’t blame you for being ticked at the AL for not crediting you. It was a scoop (such as it was) and it should have been attributed in some way.
I have to admit that I think it is funny that Epp would write a letter complaining about the Argus not giving him credit. What, is the Argus supposed to write in every article, “Joe Blow told us that the new Augustana College basketball schedule came out and they play Dordt College next week?” Give me a break.
The Argus Leader should have given credit.
It’s the teacher’s mistake in the first place. Not the people who invited them. Where is the acountability?
It’s also an imaginary story. Liberals always look for something to harp about that just isn’t a big deal. “Oh my gosh! the world is going to end!”
At least protesters didn’t call Obama Hitler and other nonsense for continuing the war.
Todd’s not a journalist, but he played one on TV.
Was Epp the only one who knew the Lincoln kids were there? Of course not. They don’t need to credit Todd with anything. Does the Chicago trib aggrandize every scoop or event that happens in Peoria or Dekalb? What do you want us to do? Gather with torches and pitchforks? Send Troy down there to beat em with his book of famous quotes? Send Sibby into the newsroom to scream they are all a bunch of godless commies, and that he invented John Thune? Print media appears to be going the way of the dinosaur, but that doesn’t stop bloggers from linking and referring to it constantly. Todd, you put something out there, and it’s out there – free game. You and Pat are way to sensitive about this “I’m a journalist dammit” thing, and who scooped who.
When you stop spawning most of your non editorial content from kelo the argus and other media, then you can feign outrage over how the the Lincoln Band was unwittingly teabagged.
wow – just catching up on the reading – hope everybody has a more pleasant weekend —– on a bright note – Kubel’s grand slam for the cycle was awesome. I called the Argus and told them about it, but they didn’t give me credit on the sports page this morning ):
Fellow Babies:
I am not so naive to expect the Argus Leader to give me or any other blogger for that matter credit for handing them their jockstrap. Actually, the Rapid City Journal does the best job in it’s “Fives” column of covering we bloggers and their own blogs often cite and credit us.
Like the pointless Tea Parties, sometimes you have to do a stupid, futile act on someone’s part to try and make a point. And my point is that such behaviors on the part of the MSM are ultimately part of their own downfall.
Of course, they won’t listen to me, you, or anyone else. That’s why they are having problems.
In the meantime, didn’t we have a lot of fun for a day or so? 
Oh, and thanks for all the traffic to my blog!
Todd Epp
Stupid Futile Gestures Editor
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
Schoenbeck … funny post. It, in a funny way, shows how asinine it is to expect the Argus to cited Epp as a source because Epp wrote a blog entry. By the way, I am pretty sure Epp didn’t hand the Argus their “jockstrap.” I am sorry Mr. Epp, but you are patting yourself on the back too much for writing a simple blog post stating that the LHS band played at the Sioux Falls Tea Party.
Todd gives thanks for the traffic to his blog?! But if he doesn’t like a post just because it disagrees with his viewpoint, he doesn’t post it. So much for fairness. And what he now refers to as fun for a day was his belittling good, honest, hardworking people and calling them names. And this for a supposedly well educated person. He’s actually shown his narrow mindedness and lack of understanding and smallness of soul.
Mr. Epp, do you create non-issue debates or arguments to just increase traffic to your blog? It seems that you said the same thing after Doug Lund took you to task. I guess I wouldn’t consider it very “journalistic” to create non-issues only to get more traffic to my blog. However, what do I know?
Lee: Kubel rocked
Todd: covering “we” bloggers? I’m unsure you are correct.
Calling a blogger a journalist is like calling a graffiti-ist (is that a word?) a novelist
I bought my dead tree paper this morning. Blogging is nothing but a fad, and newspapers are here to stay.
As a former working journalist for the MSM, my opinion is that if the Argus got the heads up on the story from Epp’s blog then they should credit the source.
It doesn’t cost anything and sure as heck won’t kill the Argus by sending a few readers online. It was probably an oversight on the reporters part rather than part of a darker plot.
Epp responded correctly with a good verbal thwapp to the side of the head to the reporter. If you don’t squeak about it, they sure as heck won’t include attribution next time.
I don’t know Epp, nor have I read his blog at all. His posts here have always seemed reasonable, informed, and intelligent. Labels are pretty meaningless these days as it’s more important how our officials actually vote.
I’m convservative, yet take the smoking ban for example. I am vastly in favor of it. I am sick to death of the smoke! I go out with my kids bowling… there’s no “voting with my feet” here as there are no other bowling centers nearby, and we are inundated with smoke!
The fact that my mother had Emphysema and spent the last few years of her life drowning with lungs full of fluid probably makes me a little more sensitive.
Back to Epp, good shot across the bow and keep on writing. PP, as always brotha, good work!
Fletch
Mr. Epp removed all comments on his blog. Guess he can’t take the heat or any disagreement – maybe he knows his arguments can’t stand up to honest debate. Hey, if you don’t want discussion, then disable the comments section!
Todd Epp rolls his garbage online into public view without observing fundamental journalistic ethics. He is a blog spewer who stands in the rear of a very long line of other blog amateurs who are either ignorant of or don’t care about checking their facts, attributing sources or demonstrating fairness.
He claims at times to be a Democrat blogger but then frags his own party even when he holds a title in his state and county party organizations. He claims to be a journalist but, alas, a review of his blogs indicates he has a fixation of being something he clearly does not practice. Anon 11:13 is dead on: Calling a blogger a journalist is like calling a graffiti-ist a novelist. No offense PP but there is a professional and obvious difference.
Todd also is a lawyer.
whatever you guys are, if its ok, I still enjoy reading it – and I’m ok if Todd gets called Publisher Eppster, Capt Eppster, or his Royal Majesty Eppster (in his blogworld that is)
Check out the photo credit on the drumline that ran in the Argus. It’s an Argus photo, so unless they staged a re-creation of the event, the Argus was on it in real time. Why the LHS sidebar story wasn’t done sooner is not evident, but the fact remains that they had the photos. Maybe they needed to have more facts before they went to print and not enough people or time.
Anonymous 11:49 am,
That’s’ pretty lowdown, calling Todd the “L” word.
Even though it’s true that he’s a lawyer, it’s not polite to point that out, particularly if women or children might be present. – lol
Say Barry Foster, that comment by Michael on April 17, 2009 @ 11:13 saying that you are pushing socialism on your unsuspecting students is causing me grave concern.
I hope somebody asks the Lincoln school administration and school board to check this out and see if it is true or not! I hope it is just somebody trying to be funny! But if this is true, I hope the South Dakota Professional Teachers Practices and Standards Commission takes a hard look at you pushing socialism on your unsuspecting students!
I just don’t think the South Dakota Professional Ethics for teachers allows you to do this.
I hope what was said about you isn’t true, not only for your sake but also your students!
I would really be disappointed in you if this turns out to be true!
Springer:
I removed ONE comment on my blog about the Teabaggers, and I said I would if anyone denied that the event wasn’t political. That commenter reposted another comment and I have kept all his/her other comments subsequent, critical of me as they are. So, maybe you should get YOUR facts straight.
Also, the Argus and RCJ don’t print every letter to the editor they get. I’m not under any requirement to do so either, though probably 95% of the comments left on my blogs remain unless they are spam or completely koo-koo. And I did ban Sibby for a while because I was tired of his stuff but even he has posted recently and it’s there for all to read on my squarespace.com site.
I find it interesting that no one has said what I reported was incorrect, just a bunch of anonymous Wingers personally attacking Barry Foster (not my source) and myself. The Teabaggers got caught in a lie, pure and simple.
I also find it interesting that while many of PP’s readers act like big fat meanies in the comments to me and other liberals, PP and I truly respect each other, each other’s work, and we are good friends. I’m sure that drives some of you nuts. And we don’t agree on a whole lot except that we love our state, our nation, our democracy, and the free exchange of ideas. Maybe there’s a lesson there.
And as to pimping traffic? Guilty as charged. As much as blogging is a personal endeavor, it’s a lot more satisfying if it is being read rather than unread. Even by some of you who don’t seem to understand 87% of what I write. But I have hope for you and keep plugging away in the hopes that you’ll finally see the light. I’m a sunny optimist that way. To the 39% of you who are satire-challenged, that was a joke.
Have a nice Sunday. And help Schoenbeck cheer for the Twins. They need it.
Todd Epp
SD Watch
http://www.southdakotawatch.net
Bloggers have broke some big stories, and kept some stories alive. Matt Drudge (a blogger at that the time) broke the Monica Lewinsky / Clinton scandal. Bloggers also help keep the Terri Schiavo story alive in the MSM. Let’s not forget about State Senator Jerstad little fender bender, first reported by PP right here and even the TEA party were helped along by bloggers. Just because a blogger breaks a story, it doesn’t make them a journalist.
Bloggers, by their very nature, will write about their thoughts, feelings and opinions, One might call it an ongoing editorial. Journalists are (supposed to be) objective, and report the facts without interjecting their personal opinions. Easier said than done. I see no reason why a journalist can’t take a lead from a blog and develop it in to a story. They should give some credit to the blogger that gave them the lead.
No one is disputing what Todd wrote was incorrect. Besides that is not what this is about. It is about the Argus Leader giving credit where credit is due.
Todd mentioned that journalism is dying (in a round about way). IMHO, this to be incorrect. Journalism is going to a transition, adapting to this new medium called the World Wide Web. It not just print journalists, broadcast journalists will have to adapt as well. There is so much misinformation on the web, and personal opinions being taken as fact, it will take a journalist to help separate the chaff from the grain. (I think I just dated myself)
From what I can tell PP, Todd an few others are doing a great job. They provide a ‘news’ story then comment about it, giving their thoughts, feeling and opinions.
My Error I was writing fast.
No one is disputing what Todd wrote. strike was incorrect.
Sorry, Todd
Argus Misleader