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Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
Hi Randy. Here's a very self-serving description of your work that, if you didn't write it yourself (most likely you did), you certainly approved it: "Randy Dotinga has been a freelance journalist for 11 years. He currently devotes much of his time to working for voiceofsandiego.org, the pioneering non-profit watchdog journalism site. He writes news stories and other content for voiceofsandiego.org and tries to find ways to sneak cheeky humor into the daily email news summary, which he writes five days a week. He also writes for a variety of other publications, including The Christian Science Monitor (where he's a correspondent and book reviewer), the North County Times (a suburban San Diego newspaper where his weekly column about radio appears) and two medical news services. Prior to freelancing, he was a daily newspaper reporter for seven years. He will become a board member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors this summer." Randy, I'm not portraying you as a self-serving egomaniac who soaks yourself in your own accolades and truly believes he is God's Gift to Journalism...these are your own words.— September 3, 2012 11 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
Alright Randy...so which of these reasons explains why VOSD chose not to report on the City Auditor determining that the numbers relied upon by the city are false? 1. It's not newsworthy? I think nobody would agree with you. 2. You think it's been adequately covered elsewhere. Okay. Yes, Don Bauder, Mel Shapiro, and Auditor Luna have done all the heavy lifting. An article in the Reader is enough in your judgement, and you think there's no need to follow up VOSD's previous reporting. 3. VOSD doesn't have the resources. I'm sure this is true. VOSD had to let go of some of its employees due to lack of funding...and reporting a story like this that might offend your pay-masters would just make this situation worse. 4. You don't think this story is "appropriate" for your audience. Judging from your previous stories on the topic, this cannot be the reason for VOSD not publishing this news. 5. You don't think the City Auditor is reliable? 6. You think this has already been covered? Sure, some of the story has been written...but in such a way that you portrayed both sides as being equally honorable and trustworthy, which is not true at all. One side is lying about the numbers, and the other is not. The side that's lying will get a windfall if the city goes ahead, while the side that's telling the truth has nothing to gain...(except maintaining their self-respect). 7. VOSD is incompetent. I don't say this, and neither does anyone else. In fact, I believe that at least one of VOSD's reporters, Will Carless, deserves a Pulitzer. 8. VOSD is influenced by its donors. Yep. No doubt about it now, Randy. I've even given you specific examples. You don't bite the hand that feeds you, and he who pays the piper calls the tune. Look again at VOSD's coverage of the Balboa Park story...it's blatant. And not covering this story about the auditors report serves as yet another example... Instead of addressing this in an honest manner, you insult us by saying we're members of the "Black Helilcopter Conspiracy Community". WTF? Again, you're only digging yourself deeper, Randy.— September 3, 2012 10:52 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
Let's summarize Randy Dotinga's position: 1. Fred Williams and Don Bauder are paranoid conspiracy theorists. 2. VOSD is never beholden to its contributors. 3. Anyone who questions the priorities of San Diego journalists is ignorant. 4. Randy Dotinga can teach us all the "TRUTH" about how journalism works. Randy...there was a very simple way to contradict us. By posting a link to the story in VOSD about this very important auditor's report. As an insider, you could have urged the editor or reporter to cover this story. Instead you've spent your time calling us names, especially with your laughable "fact check". To misquote Shakespeare, "Randy doth protest too much".— September 3, 2012 10:36 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
Yes, Randy...in the past VOSD reported on the convention center. As I wrote previously, it's doing a better job than the UT. So why is it ignoring this issue now? You've got the City Auditor saying that the projections upon which the financing are based are simply wrong. This is an important addition to the story...and after all the work Scott and others have done trying to explain this issue, I find it very disappointing that VOSD is now choosing not to cover it. This should be a big headline, with pointed questions asked of the Mayor. There could be a follow up interview with Heywood Sanders and the insiders who not only disputed his (correct) numbers, but personally insulted him for daring to speak up. So please write something about the Auditor's report instead of trying to show off your skills with copy/paste...this is an important isssue. San Diego is poised to be ripped off (again) and here is the evidence. Where's the reporting? best, Fred— September 3, 2012 7:16 a.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
VOSD still refuses to cover this crucially important story. I'd expect to hear nothing from the UT, but VOSD has covered this story in the past...even gently suggesting that just maybe the projections might not be 100% accurate. Now that the City Auditor confirms those numbers were fake, nothing from VOSD and the other downtown-crowd media outlets. Randy sure did get all self-righteous here, but the proof is in the results. No coverage. Is VOSD beholden to its political masters? Sure looks like it. Otherwise a fraud of this magnitude would be the main story of the week...instead they're writing about coyotes.— September 2, 2012 10 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
I know from working with journalists that they're generally: Lazy: If you write the story for them, they'll move around a few phrases and print it under their own name. I've done it dozens of times. Ignorant: While they're glib and quick with words, their background is weak. Especially when it comes to economics or technology, they know very little. Arrogant: Most journalists believe themselves to be above the rest of us. They call themselves watchdogs or fact checkers, as if they have the right to judge and observe all others from their lofty perch. Thin Skinned: When shown up, journalists react in a fury. I wouldn't be surprised if Randy isn't googling me with hate in his eyes, hoping to find something nasty he can write about to get back at me for daring to contradict him. Needy: Journalists give each other awards, crave attention, and desperately need the approval of authority figures...like publishers and politicians. They gauge themselves by these measures -- who they interviewed and who published the story. Such approval seeking adds to the likelihood that they'll cover up rather than report the news. The most aggravating aspect of modern journalism is the pretense of civility. See how Randy excuses himself from engaging in the discussuion because he doesn't like my attitude? That's an example. The pretense of civility allows a dishonest person to avoid any uncomfortable topic by just stating "you're rude", and walking away. Neat trick, but totally dishonest. Rudeness is irrelevant to the facts, which exist independently of how they are presented. Randy apparently is of the generation that proclaims politeness trumps truth. No matter if it was Jesus telling Randy that the money changers have to be thrown out of the temple, Randy would turn on his heel and report the next day that a rude fellow was interrupting commerce. This bothers me a lot. If your mental filters are set to ignore anything that is not mellifluous, you're going to be a very ignorant person. If you are allowed to filter out any unpleasantness, how can you claim the mantle of Menckin? VOSD is obsessed with politeness, as if all of us are schoolchildren. San Diego has suffered for its laid-back "have a nice day" mentality, so you'd think by now those who consider themselves independent watchdogs and fact checkers would have caught onto this ugly trick the downtown crowd uses against them again and again. The wealthy and connected can hire smooth talking liars, and as long as that talk is smooth the lies are reported as news. (See Fabiani, et al) The honest guy who wants to get the word out about something important, faced with arrogant and ignorant reporters who treat him with contempt, loses his cool and so the story is never reported. Then the journalists go to another awards dinner where they pat themselves on the back and reassure each other that they're performing a vital public service...— August 27, 2012 9:12 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
You called what you wrote a "fact check". Now you claim it was just your opinion... Verdict: Misleading— August 27, 2012 1:07 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
I guarantee I consistently get paid more than you for writing, Randy, and I'm happy to serve the San Diego community by expressing what I believe to be the truth about its media landscape. For free. I have ample facts on my side, and write pretty fast...so even if it cuts into my income a bit, I don't mind. This doesn't take me all day (and I'm leaving now for other things...but will check back when you've had a chance to cool down). You "fact checked" me, in what I can only surmise was an attempt at condescension. Maybe that kind of attitude doesn't deserve a thoughtful reply backed up with additional examples from Don Bauder, who has been in this business longer than you've been alive...but we took the time anyway. Thin-skinned, Randy? Don't use your financial situation as an excuse...it only backs up my original point about scared journalists who are desperate for their jobs. What's your hourly rate? we'll take up a collection to pay you to refute me if you're that hard up for cash. best, Fred— August 27, 2012 1:03 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
Notice how VOSD changed its headline reporting the news after objections from the readers? I don't think this is accidental. Look at VOSD's board of directors, Don...you know some of them, I'm sure. Would they keep their spoons out of the pot? http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/support_us/about_u… Also be sure to check the $5000+ donors. Other than Danah Fayman (who I respect a great deal from personal experience), I would question whether they are really disinterested in the content of VOSD and happy to support it if it goes against their own interests. Judging just from the board and the top donors, would you characterize VOSD as "independent outsiders"?— August 27, 2012 12:33 p.m.
Auditor Confirms It: Convention Center Attendance Figures Misleading
I cannot edit this comment to change the name. Bob Nelson is still deplorable, and wrote substantially similar things in comments at VOSD when the story was reported. Those comments, I hope, are in an archive and can be retrieved as evidence...otherwise I am reporting based on my memory as an active participant in the discussion.— August 27, 2012 12:22 p.m.