I like the discussion going on over at Parabasis right now on Blogger Nights. The conversation is spurred by the Time Out NY article, which claims that there are some blogs out there that are just paid advertisements.
First of all, the article does beg the question: Who are the nefarious bloggers gettting paid to write good notices about shows? I think someone over at TONY needs to respond or retract. It's fine to recommend good blogs, but not at the expense of others. I'm not saying it isn't happening, but the way it's written is just, well... not good.
Secondly, reviewers don't pay to review material. Theater reviewers don't pay to see shows, book reviewers don't pay for books to review. (Generally speaking, of course. Some low-budget outfits won't reimburse a book purchase because there's no budget for it.)
I don't see anything wrong with Blogger Nights, even if bloggers get in for free. There's no need to apologize for it, either. It's how reviewing is done.
There absolutely needs to be a variety of voices when it comes to theater criticism, especially in New York. Theater in NYC is hindered by a lack of diversity.
The main problem, as I see it, is that there's no intermediary or neutral third party for transactions between bloggers and producers. History has demonstrated that there are many ways that reviewing can go awry. Literary feuds have been started because a perceived "enemy" was asked by an unknowing paper to review a book. (Don't ask me which one right now. It's 7 am on a Saturday morning and I'm half-awake.)
The lack of a neutral third party leaves the door open for appearances of impropriety. We all know how small the theater world is in NY. Everyone knows everyone else, pretty much, especially in the downtown scene. Still, integrity is important when it comes to standard reviewing. If "blogger reviewing" (ick, a new term must be coined) is to gain strength, this issue must be addressed.
I don't think that those bloggers connected by a third party publication (either by employment or contract) are affected by this issue. It's the rest you have to worry about. As my earlier entry indicated, publicists and producers are actively looking for a way to make blogging work for them. Something to think about...
Remember, in journalism its the appearance of impropriety that matters most. It doesn't matter if nothing untoward actually happened. If blogging is to be taken seriously, standards have to be created and applied.
Do I need to make disclosure statements?
a) Yes, I attended one of the early blogger nights for First Your Born which Issac directed. It was the first time I met George, Mac, Dan and Isaac. Lots of fun, paid for my ticket though. (Does someone owe me money? Kidding.)
b) Yes, I used to be a part of that scene. I'm no longer a part of that scene. Wish everyone well, but I like my current life. Don't miss the NYC lifestyle. I'm not jealous of those living there, but I do miss Friday evenings in the Village on occasion.
c) Yes, I review... books, not plays. I have written/am writing/will write reviews for publications.
d) If you've gotten this far in my disclosure statement then you really are a stickler, aren't you?
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