Reporter Jamie Self of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper had a big story in last weekend’s editions highlighting the salaries of several of South Carolina’s top lobbyists.
Self’s narrative – which was driven heavily by several taxpayer-subsidized organizations we’ve previously covered – didn’t exactly break any new ground, although it was interesting to read how she addressed the “gray area” between registered versus unregistered lobbyists.
“I am very cautious of the line but know lots of unregistered people who cross it daily,” one State House lobbyist told FITS, referencing Self’s report.
For example, we have been provided with the names of several individuals who actively lobby members of the General Assembly regarding pending legislation – yet are not registered as lobbyists (stay tuned for that report). Of course the real buzz at the South Carolina State House had little to do with the content of Self’s voluminous tome – which was honestly pretty ho-hum – and plenty to do with the methods she employed in gathering her re-hashed information.
Specifically, the agenda-driven scribe has been accused of deliberately misleading several of the individuals she contacted for her story.
“We were lied to by this reporter,” the leader of one advocacy group told FITS. “We will not be dealing with Ms. Self on any future stories.”
According to the source, Self “ambushed” the organization – fabricating a pretense for her inquiries which was at odds with the true direction of her story.
Another source approached by Self on the lobbying story tells FITS she was “manipulative in her approach.”
“She was given access and information based on a premise which turned out to be disingenuous,” the source said.
Hmmmmm …
Good luck getting people to talk to you with that kind of reputation.
In the news business, sources are sacred. And the information they provide is the coin of the realm. And while aggressiveness is vital, so is honesty – assuming you want to keep your sources for longer than one story.
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34 comments
How much did Howard Rich post for this post Will?
How much did Howard Rich post for this post Will?
Yes, I’m sure this is the first time a reporter has ever disguised the true true direction of a story. C’mon Will.
Yes, I’m sure this is the first time a reporter has ever disguised the true true direction of a story. C’mon Will.
She interviewed Sheri Few, Dwight Loftis, some chicks at Tell Them, and a few other “who the fucks” that no one gives two shits about. What an intrepid reporter should have done, is watch Ann Timberlake lobby members of the Legislature on a near daily basis. But then, The State would never want to tarnish her golden image with the Shandonistas (aka, the only people who read their shitty newspaper for something other than Gamecock football and obituaries).
What, Ann not complying with the lobbying laws? Shut your mouth!
God, I hope that will is not referencing Sheri “I lost another race again” Few.
She interviewed Sheri Few, Dwight Loftis, some chicks at Tell Them, and a few other “who the fucks” that no one gives two shits about. What an intrepid reporter should have done, is watch Ann Timberlake lobby members of the Legislature on a near daily basis. But then, The State would never want to tarnish her golden image with the Shandonistas (aka, the only people who read their shitty newspaper for something other than Gamecock football and obituaries).
What, Ann not complying with the lobbying laws? Shut your mouth!
God, I hope that will is not referencing Sheri “I lost another race again” Few.
What happened to your story on idiot/retarted lobbyist Russell Lott keeping the black man down from his farm running for the Dtate House? did you get paid to spike the story fits?
Yea what happened to the story on Lott? Maybe he’s related to Leon….he did work in St. Mathews for awhile.
What happened to your story on idiot/retarted lobbyist Russell Lott keeping the black man down from his farm running for the Dtate House? did you get paid to spike the story fits?
Yea what happened to the story on Lott? Maybe he’s related to Leon….he did work in St. Mathews for awhile.
Is Ann Timberlake registered as a lobbyist? She sure shows up in that lobby and lobbies the hell out of house and senate members.
Yep she sure does and she ain’t registered. But Fretwell and his paper will shield her from scrutiny. She’s guilty as sin.
So Will, you going to write that story or not? Everyone seems to think timberlake is one of the worst offenders of being an unregistered lobbyist.
Is Ann Timberlake registered as a lobbyist? She sure shows up in that lobby and lobbies the hell out of house and senate members.
Yep she sure does and she ain’t registered. But Fretwell and his paper will shield her from scrutiny. She’s guilty as sin.
So Will, you going to write that story or not? Everyone seems to think timberlake is one of the worst offenders of being an unregistered lobbyist.
How did she mislead them, exactly. What did she say? Not a story until we have that information.
How did she mislead them, exactly. What did she say? Not a story until we have that information.
I think her sources are a little suspect to say the least! Actually a lot suspect! If she upset them – she is sure to get sued!
I think her sources are a little suspect to say the least! Actually a lot suspect! If she upset them – she is sure to get sued!
Why didn’t you just call her up and pass their message along and spare your readers this dribble.
Why didn’t you just call her up and pass their message along and spare your readers this dribble.
The new site design sucks. No surprise there.
The new site design sucks. No surprise there.
The absolute worst is state employees whose only function is to lobby the legislature and leave their state jobs so that they can exploit their relationships with legislators.
The absolute worst is state employees whose only function is to lobby the legislature and leave their state jobs so that they can exploit their relationships with legislators.
Is it lobbying when Jean Toal calls a lawyer-legislator and informs them she will castrate them professionally if they don’t vote as she tells them to do? What does Warren Tompkins get paid to do if she does that directly?
Is it lobbying when Jean Toal calls a lawyer-legislator and informs them she will castrate them professionally if they don’t vote as she tells them to do? What does Warren Tompkins get paid to do if she does that directly?
The State Newspaper is the bottom of the barrel. This week I canceled 3 subscriptions. It won’t put them out of business but it is my little contribution to it
The State Newspaper is the bottom of the barrel. This week I canceled 3 subscriptions. It won’t put them out of business but it is my little contribution to it