Independence of the media

The ongoing Betfred / Casinomeister scandal makes me wonder: Can you ever trust the internet media (blogs, websites, podcasts...).

I used to be a PC gamer (still am to some extent) and learned a couple of years ago not to believe any reviews any more. Every high budget title is always great, according to reviewers. Combine this with pre-purchase and you can make some serious money right off the bat. Well, I learned the hard way to wait until a game is released and read user reviews. Often, quite a difference. The internet gaming media can only survive in cooperation with the big publishers. They need the preview versions and the adverstisment money.

Similar situation with gambling websites. Their main source of revenue is ads for the very thing the report about - gambling. Casinomeister most certainly has some sponsorship deal with Betfred. Can they blacklist them without maybe even threatening their own existence?

The alternative is for the consumer to pay directly for quality services and journalism. At the moment, consumers don't seem to be willing to do so. Any other options?

What if Bodog were involved in a similar scandal? WWWD?

No, generally, you can't trust the internet media. They have their own interests at heart.

Some movie reviews are the same, by the way. Studios will pay newspapers, columnists or Web reviewers for individual positive reviews.

You gotta learn to follow the money. In the case of WoV / WoO, you just have to trust the Wizard's integrity. In the case of other websites, without knowing the ownership, you should probably be wary.

The Blue Jays by the way are the same. The team and the media is owned by the same outlet, and that leads to incredibly biased messaging when listening to the radio broadcasts. The bias is inherent - you want to please the boss. It's sad really.

Caveat emptor!

I never trust the media. If they go to find a story, but there really isn't one, they can't possibly admit that they just wasted a trip?

Personal story----

20 years ago I went to a usually popular local chicken wing establishment to watch the Bills play on a Monday Night. I was there with my brother-in-law and we were seated at a table for two. There were just a few other couples, and maybe a foursome in the restaurant. A local TV news crew pops in to film a "look how Bills fans watch the Bills" segment. Factual reporting would have mentioned the very disappointing turnout, and shown pictures of the mostly empty restaurant. Instead, the reporter asked us if we'd like to be on TV, and we were all moved to a large table. The camera angle only showed our table and the TV we were watching, and they picked a scene right when the Bills scored so we were all high fiving each other. When I watched the clip it looked like a packed room with rabid fans.

Educational for sure. They are in the business of selling commercials, not conveying truths to their viewers.

Many viewers who do not have insights such as this are true sheep when it comes to having no guard against the unemotional desire to sell you stuff when it comes to "what is the purpose of television?"

HAVE YOU BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT?

DID YOU GET A DUI?

MAYBE YOU HAVE A WORKPLACE INJURY?

TIRED OF SITTING AT HOME WITH NO WORK? HOW ABOUT A TECHNICAL SCHOOL TO TEACH YOU HOW TO FIX CARS!

YOU STILL WON'T GET A JOB, BUT YOU CAN MAKE EASY MONTHLY PAYMENTS FROM YOUR MOTHER'S SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK, WE DON'T CARE!

Quote: Canyonero

What if Bodog were involved in a similar scandal? WWWD?

I admit that would put me in a bad situation. I'd love to have all my sites totally free of advertising. Once I tried that and asked for donations. The number of people in the entire world who made one? Two. A main reason I have only one advertiser is to minimize the probability I'll be caught in a conflict of interest.

You generally just have to assume that the writer/speaker is biased. Subjective opinions are worth nothing.

It's more than just advertising that biases writers... its personal or political opinions. Just look at the laughably biased coverage of gun control.

Quote: Wizard

I admit that would put me in a bad situation. I'd love to have all my sites totally free of advertising. Once I tried that and asked for donations. The number of people in the entire world who made one? Two. A main reason I have only one advertiser is to minimize the probability I'll be caught in a conflict of interest.

I haven't been to DT in weeks, but I believe I remember seeing a lawyers advertisement?
I think if I were the Wiz, I would allow additional advertising on WoV and WoO, just not a competing on line casino. If a dating company (match.com, for example), or an airline, or a university, would want to buy some space i think you should be open to those possibilities. Having multiple sources of support makes it look like you are LESS beholden to Bovada, not more........

Quote: SOOPOO

the reporter asked us if we'd like to be on TV

Yes that is precisely their key phrase they use all day long, and usually get away with it.

Media sell stories to a sub-contractor, and they only get paid if they produce a story which will actually get aired. If there's no story something will simply made something up. Because most of the costs (people, hardware, time) is already spent.

Quote: Wizard

A main reason I have only one advertiser is to minimize the probability I'll be caught in a conflict of interest.

May I make a suggestion? Have advertisements, but not only from the industry you are involved in. There are many advertisers who want to reach your website visitors because they make up the target audience. These other advertisers could very well include banks, credit card companies, credit companies, jewelers, travel companies, airlines.

If you opened up your site to a third party ad-placement service such as Google or if you accepted "other industry ads" from Amazon or Commission Junction -- you will be at arm's length and you would be shielded from any allegations of conflict of interest.

I don't think anyone would fault you for carrying ads for high end watches or for airlines.