Comments on: Potential conflict, what do you think?

By: Darnell

Darnell — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:09:16 +0000

I see no flags here. Press people attend events and speak on panels all the time. It’s not unheard of. And if you aren’t showing favoritism in your coverage, then I wouldn’t worry too much about “conflict”.

By: Tom Hofstatter

Tom Hofstatter — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:04:02 +0000

Hi Ryan.

I agree that you should give your audience some cred.
We see gray all the time. Your reputation is earned - don’t fret about the optics of transparency. When you sell out, we’ll know, until then enjoy the fruits of your labour. (Canadian spelling, yeah, we have tech too.)

-Tom

By: Rick C

Rick C — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:23:09 +0000

Ryan,

You know the old politican who tells the specal interest person ” I have no problem with eating your food, drinking your booze and (fornicating) with your women so long as you know I am going to vote what I think is right.” You have principles, or we would not be having the conversation.

I think there is a need for you to take your tech views to those who need to hear it. Getting paid is gravy. I will say that you should go as Ryan Block internationally beloved technology pundit (wait I think that title is taken) but not as editor in chief of Engadget and don’t report on it and don’t have anything to do with the editing of any report that might come out of it.

However, in the final analysis, you should go with your gut feelings. If you don’t feel confortable about it you probably should not do it.

(Just hope they don’t offer to pay Lady V’s way too-there is only so much man should be tempted with)

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:22:04 +0000

Sounds like a net-positive career & financial decision (plus a nice getaway?) to me… Take the gig and 72 hours (or whatever) of paid leave from AOL/WIN and then fly home without providing any Eng coverage. If other Eng writers are sent, they can do their jobs.

If AOL/WIN was sending you anyway and you feel uncomfortable, participate on the panel with NO fee since you’d already be “on the clock.”

By: Kurtis

Kurtis — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 05:37:26 +0000

I’m of the same opinion as #21/Dan and a few previous. I agree that accepting the fee would be the greatest conflict but I beleive if you are there are Ryand and clearly not Engaget then you are mitigating that risk.

At the end of this, you’re clearly having concerns about it and frankly I say trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:06:44 +0000

The fee is the most problematic element - as you say, it creates a conflict of interest, and the right thing is for you to refuse it.

The rest of the package is a bit of a grey area but, provided you disclose it to your readers, I think you should be on the right side of the line.

By: Vance

Vance — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:20:14 +0000

hmm, this is a close call. But, the bottom line is that you are taking money from folks who are in the industry you are covering, even if through the layers of a trade show organization. While those layers may be enough insulation to protect from any backlash (and, of course, there is no *real* conflict in your case, since you are above that), you are in a unique position.

Your site is fighting the uphill battle to retain legitimacy in a field that is full of amateurs and those much less professional than Engadget. As with women in some businesses, you are in the unfortunate position of having to be better than your competition in some ways.

While it is very unlikely that anyone would raise the issue, I would be tempted to err on the side of caution. Of course, I would also be tempted to go hang out in a resort in Spain if it was offered! So, I would not blame you either way.

By: Alvaro

Alvaro — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:36:41 +0000

Ryan,

Not sure about it, with what you say I think is fine to go, anyway if you come to Spain let me know, it would be great to have some beers :)

By: Randall Bennett

Randall Bennett — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:13:11 +0000

My thing with ethics: Could you read it on the front page of NYT or WSJ and feel good about it? I’d imagine it’d say:

“Editor of Engadget paid to speak on panel”

To me, they’re not paying for Engadget to go, they’re paying for Ryan Block’s views and opinions, which is definitely worth something.

Not that it matters, but that’s my two cents.

By: Peter Wong

Peter Wong — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:55:49 +0000

Hey Ryan, from what it sounds like, it seems like they are trying to use you as a prominent speaker to help build crediability and enhance the image for their event. I think that’s quite a common thing to do in different trade events. I personally believe, as long as the deal does not require you to endorse any particular issues, I think it is good to go. Obviously, you are worry that reader might co-related your presence as a panel speaker to the position of Engadget. I believe everyone is entitle to their views, even the editor of a news channel or in your case, editor for Engadget. So as long as during the pre-show event, you are speaking for yourself and not for Engadget, I think you are good to go. Just my two cents! Peter

By: peteremcc

peteremcc — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:02:22 +0000

I think I’d go with the complete opposite of porktorian.

The very fact that you’re posting this here and are worried about it shows that really you shouldn’t worry about it.

It’s the journalists that have no qualms about accepting these things and don’t even consider potential conflicts that could cause a problem.

I say go for it, and perhaps don’t accept the speakers fee. Being paid to do something is perhaps a little different that having expenses covered - after all you’re providing them a service and you shoudn’t have to pay to do that.

By: Jeremy Toeman

Jeremy Toeman — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:42:38 +0000

You should go. If it was “Sony Presents Its View on The Future of Gadgets” it’d be a little more of a conflict. Technically you could argue that CES is the same thing, just on a grander scale.

No conflict whatsoever IMHO.

Also, you should try to get an extra ticket for a good industry friend and loyal blog reader.

By: Darren

Darren — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:24:08 +0000

I’ll mirror #10, but really, I’m pleading for Veronica’s spot as the special correspondent.

By: Al Block

Al Block — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:15:19 +0000

if you don’t feel good about it, stick to your principles. It has obviously worked great for you so far.

By: veronica

veronica — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:50:35 +0000

Send me as a correspondent! ;)

By: David

David — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:51:03 +0000

If you’re just going as a speaker, I think it is legitimate to be paid and flown out there as part of your speaking compensation package.

I do think that it would rule out coverage of any kind on the Engadget site, positive or negative. Either you’re there to cover the event or you’re there to participate.

By: MikeB

MikeB — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:40:48 +0000

Go!! Are you crazy? I believe that you can separate the two activities.

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:42:03 +0000

I say go for it. There is no expectation for Engadget exposure and it could be a great networking opportunity. Your detractors might try to use it against you but who cares what they think anyway. As an Engadget reader I see this an opportunity to improve your coverage - go for it. Its free money!

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:59:05 +0000

Pass for all the reasons “portorikan” listed.

Why not have a contest and send an Engadget reader in your place ala the Beastie Boys “Awesome, I f*ckin shot that!”

By: John B.

John B. — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:13:22 +0000

Your concerns are obviously valid, and if it’s raising red flags for you, it’s going to for others, too. While certain of us readers will recognize that what you’re being asked to do is most decidedly different from a vendor junket, not everyone will make that distinction. I think your cautionary instinct is the right one, personally.

On the other hand, I’d be happy to go in your place. ;)