Burned by the media in the past, Mark Cuban is extremely careful about how he deals with reporters.
Most of its interviews are done by e-mail so he has a transcript of exactly what was said. It’s Cuban’s way of managing media relations, and it has worked well for him.
Cuban, however, doesn’t seem to understand that he can’t control every aspect of interactions with journalists. He’s upset because he agreed to do a “real” interview for a magazine (apparently GQ), only to have the reporter blog about the interview the reporter’s private blog.
Cuban suggests it was unethical for the journalist to have done that because the journalist never asked permission or told Cuban he was going do it.
Mark, you’re off the mark here.
As much as you want to shape you messaging, the journalist did nothing wrong other than blow up a relationship for a blog post. Maybe he should have told you but for a journalist to write on a private blog about something interesting that happened in their life is how things work these days. I mean, how far are you willing to limit reporters – no radio interviews about meeting you? No talking to people about you at dinner parties?
Unless there are rules that prohibit this kind of extra-curricular activity (i.e. reporters can’t write private blogs about the beats they cover), this kind of thing is going to happen on a regular basis.
For many journalists who do have private blogs, there is a fine balance between producing for your employer and producing for your blog. But long as you’re making your employer happy, then blogging on your own time is perfectly alright if you operate in a professional way and aren’t actively trying to generate revenue from it.
I’m sure the next time you do an interview, the rules will be even more detailed what a reporter can’t and can do. That’s your prerogative.
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