To: Anthony@Pacific who wrote (52337 ) 3/3/2000 9:31:00 AM From: Wolff Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 122087
TheStreet.com's Beth Kwon "A study in Tabloid Yellow Journalism" Preamble: I just found Beth's latest article and she has yet again been an inspiration.Message 13027390 tabloid tab-loid Pronunciation: (tab'loid), a newspaper this size concentrating on sensational and lurid news "yellow journalism." The term to describe the sensational handling of news in order to increase readership Background has now written at least 4 articles concerning Anthony@Pacific. The first in regards to his interaction with Silicon Investor, and the last 2 in regard to the A@P?s legal personal legal matters. And a mysterious 4th article where the Beth Kwon interjectors herself as reporter into the report that it almost a story about her feelings. For purposes of our study we shall concentrate on the last three that Beth has written for TheStreet.com On December 2nd 1999, Beth writes a story with the following sensational title, "Internet Gadfly Meets a Fraud Case He Doesn't Like". In her first couple of sentences she states that "claims to uncover the shady side of Wallstreet". The first two steps are a successful attempt to bias the reader. There is an abundant record of ?shady Wall Street transaction that Anthony@Pacific has commented on within Silicon Investor that Beth has the ablity to show cases that prove the A@P can more than just claim it, he can point to a record. An example would be a stock FSTW, which Anthony?s investigation was picked up by other media sources. Nevertheless, Beth Kwon leaves it hanging out there a "he claims". Beth goes on to hold out readers, as "a following" and imply that his readers are ill informed. Beth questions to why Anthony can be consider an Analyst by other media. To build her case, she uses the wording "failed to acknowledge his past", thereby leaving the reader to believe that an omission was made, a failing. Beth is clearly aware there is no requirement that necessitate a Anthony to disclose his every personal detail. Ms. Kwon implies that because she has an personal believe about Anthony?s past that A@P should be forced to wear a "Scarlet Letter" everywhere he goes. Beth is either ill-informed or intentional misrepresenting. Her dispute with A@P being referenced as an Analyst does not appear to have any merit. I believe that Beth's issue with referring to A@P as a journalist relates to his position as a "Shorter", seldom does an analyst that is recommending a purchase of stock, state that they have a position. Just watch CNBC, while some say we like the stock and own the stock, many do not disclose that. Does Beth raise questions on Longs being "biased"? No. Recommending a stock sell, it would seem need extra special double disclosures, which Long purchases do not. Beth next goes on about a Yahoo posting of Tony's specific court information, but does not disclose that one of the Yahoo posters that was pumping this information was indeed a noted SI member that has a personal grudge against Anthony. Would a good unbiased reporter take a moment to find out the source of the information, I believe so. This quote from Beth's article clearly summarized the reason why the article is being written. Its a gotcha. "Sure, a disability dispute doesn't have much to do with stock trading. But it's at least embarrassing for someone who champions the cause of investors in digging up frauds to be himself accused of mail fraud." That's pretty weak, even for Beth, so she puts in this next quote. ---After the allegations appeared on Silicon Investor, some members questioned Elgindy. "Is it true that you are currently under indictment for securities / mail fraud? If it were, sure this would reflect upon your credibility here," wrote "zaxbowow." Elgindy responded, "My credibility is 100% intact ... what u say isn't true." --- Beth puts that up in a Tabloid fashion and leaves the impression that Tony?s is falsely representing himself. Do you see the problem, take a look at it again. The author is accusing Anthony of being under indictment for securities/mail fraud? The " / " has to be read as "and". Beth is fully aware that Anthony is not under indictment for securities fraud, yet she lets that impression be left with the reader. This is Yellow Journalism Beth Kwon's Final sentence is this "Maybe the judge and jury will buy Elgindy's version of the events. And his followers may be well advised to watch their leader carefully." She uses the word choice "buy" implying that Anthony's version of event is false or he has been misleading in her interview with her. Clearly the author is conveying doubt. Beth lets out this impression yet does nothing to support her feelings. Perhaps if Ms Kwon did more thinking rather than feeling she would present more facts. Her last comment implies that readers of Anthony should be distrustful of him. A wonderful ambiguous way to close her Tabloid piece. The dangers to Tony readers were never mentioned or interviewed. Ms. Kwon wants to leave a warning message, however this warning has nothing to do with anything she has reported on. Perhaps she should disclose her position about Anthony Pacific and Silicon Investor. Beth does in this other article.Message 12988408 This is an article in regard to Silicon Investor and its high profile posters, and stating that Silicon Investor does not have the content it once did. What a wonder unbiased story about Silicon Investor and Tony????? Not quite?.what should have been disclosed by Beth Kwon, the reporter who believes in full disclosure....IS...wait.....wait.....wait for it???THAT THESTREET.COM JUST LAUNCHED THEIR OWN MESSAGE BOARD 3 DAYS EARLIER. Board Again: The Rebirth of TSC's Message Boards By Ellen Leventry Associate Editor 2/14/00 11:35 AM ET You walk the Wall Street walk, now talk the Wall Street talk. Welcome to TheStreet.com's new and improved message boards -- the place for thought-provoking discussion fueled by up-to-the-minute commentary and breaking news. We hope that you enjoy our new features and improved navigation. So the critique of Silicon Investor seems to be related to the high quality boards that thestreet.com is selling to users and investors. El stinko me thinko. Also on the 17th Beth writes When the Message Boards Turn Blue By Beth Kwon Staff Reporter 2/17/00 12:17 PM ET It had the makings of a great made-for-TV movie: betrayal, a lawsuit and -- my favorite part -- mean postings on the Internet??? This again is a critique of Anthony and Silicon Investor, where she take the unique stand point of interjected herself within what she is reporting on. Beth is one of the new journalist that apparently believes that she is part of the new, rather than reporting it. The reasons behind that stance, are more than simply pitiful. My impression of Beth Kwon to this point has been that of a simple uninspired reporter that takes basic concepts, does not understand the greater context an their meanings, and writes a weak story filled with false implications and shoddy stylistic writing skills. The kind of stuff that would win second place in a high school journalism contest. But its this final article by Ms. Kwon that is too me, hails her as a sub-mediocre and biased reporter, who's work and craft remains a sad remark on the quality of Internet reporting.Message 13027390 Ms Kwon here states: "The conviction renews credibility questions about the self-styled scam-stock vigilante" and later again?."But the fraud charges raised questions about his credibility" This is Tabloid Yellow Journalism, she raises a sensational question, yet does nothing to show why her statement hold water. At no point does Beth tell us WHY his credibility is in question. That?s kind of a large omission. Actually she does the opposite in the prior article where she says this has little to do with securities or investor matters. Yet Beth Kwon implies that this raises questions of credibility. I have to believe this is because of her stated "relationship" with Anthony. Beth does no checking on the quality of the posts that Anthony does on Silicon Investor. For example CEGE was posted on Silicon Investor and had at least a 15 point movement within 2 days of its posting. Most would argue that is were the credibility is. Beth Kwon does not realize "the proof of the pudding is in the tasting" Many will ask if Kwon is motivated to write in this negative capacity to benefit the authors and owners of thestreet.com in their competition to Silicon Investor. For me it is much more simple than Beth Kwon's reporting is typical of the new breed of stock reporters. She regurgitates what she is told, she packages with computerized autoformating, adds some sensational bits and slaps out another piece of "Content" Beth is not Journalist by my definition, she is a word processing clerk who's product is utilized to sell advertising. Beth Kwon's style is that of tabloid yellow journalism, which in my humble opinion says the most about her own credibility. Enough of this ........Wolff PS: My editor took out all the really good parts.....NOT