If you are an avid follower of anything Tech related, then you probably already know about “The CrunchFund Controversy” And depending on your definition of Journalistic Independence, you either agree and support Arianna Huffington and AOL or Michael Arrington. Either way, AOL has definitely created an interesting stew of controversy that will surely impact the Blogging World.
Just in case you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about here’s a brief timeline.
- Sept. 28, 2010 – Michael Arrington writes a TechCrunch article explaining his reasoning for selling the now infamous Technology Blog.
- Sept. 1, 2011 – New York Times Reported that Michael Arrington (TechCrunch Founder) and Tim Armstrong (AOL CEO) announced they were starting up CrunchFund. A Venture Capital Fund that would invest in Tech Industry startups. This same article questioned Mr. Arrington’s journalistic integrity since TechCruch reported on the same companies and industry.
- Sept. 2, 2011 – Business Insider Reported Arianna Huffington had confirmed that Michael Arrington would no longer be Managing Editor of TechCrunch. Later that day it was reported AOL had terminated their relationship with Mr. Arrington. Following a public uproar AOL tried to clear up the confusion by releasing a statement that Michael Arrington was still with AOL just not working for TechCrunch.
- Sept. 2, 2011 - TechCrunch columnists Paul Carr wrote about his frustrations and anger over the CrunchFund announcements, the questioning of TechCrunch journalistic integrity, and the related comments made by everyone involved.
- Sept. 6, 2011 - TechCrunch columnist MG Siegler wrote how Arianna Huffington and AOL broke their promise on maintaining Journalistic Independence with TechCrunch and keeping it separate from the rest of AOL and Huffington Post’s creative content community.
- Sept. 6, 2011 - TechCrunch Founder Michael Arrington wrote (what has become a battle cry for many readers) demanding that AOL fulfill the agreement ensuring Editorial Independence for TechCrunch.
- Sept. 8, 2011 - TechCrunch columnist Paul Carr reported that he would leave TechCrunch unless AOL would fulfill its promised Editorial Independence and allow Michael Arrington chooses his successor.
So there you have it, quick summation of everything that’s happened. Now ask yourself, is anyone really surprised?
It’s not like this hasn’t happened before. Michael Arrington and the folks of TechCrunch really should have known Resistance is futile! This isn’t a new tactic. Anyone remember Netscape? How about Weblogs and the mass exodus that was Engadget?
The other issue was how the the media has questioned Michael Arrington's abilty to maintain his integrity and still write for TechCrunch.
This is even more interesitng when you consider that The Huffington Post is facing a class action lawsuit for not paying contributors.
Then again, does anyone really consider them a bastion of Journalistic Integrity?
As a Content Creator (We’re not allowed to call ourselves Bloggers on Examiner.com) the outcome has a further reaching impact than many probably realize.
Is blogging journalism or is it something else entirely? Should Bloggers hold themselves to the same ethical standards as reporters? Should all Content Creators be paid or only those that are considered “Professional Contributors”? (It was reported Michael Arrington could still write for TechCrunch but only as an unpaid contributor.) Does re-reporting news really count as journalism?
Lots of questions that will probably never be answered but are often raised when events like these occur.
In any event I do know one thing, as much as AOL and Arianna Huffington might wish it, I’m sure we haven’t heard the last from Michael Arrington. And Sadly, just like Engadget, and other blogs absorbed by AOL, I'm sure TechCrunch will eventually succumb to the AOL/Huffington Empire and follow The AOL Way.
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