LAist: LAist Editor Tony Pierce Moves on to LA Times -- Mainstream Media Will Never Be the Same

Chimp

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:51:35 -0800

Tony done good. However, his primary skill appears to be democratic apparatchik and preventer of information at LA Times. Hey, keep rockin' Tony! What a schmuck: AT Gags Blogs: In a move that has apparently stirred up some internal discontent, the Los Angeles Times has banned its bloggers , including political bloggers, from mentioning the Edwards/Rielle Hunter story. Even bloggers who want to mention the story in order to make a skeptical we-don't-trust-the-Enquirer point are forbidden from doing so. Kausfiles has obtained a copy of the email Times bloggers received from editor Tony Pierce. [I've excised the recipient list and omitted Pierce's email address]: From: "Pierce, Tony" Date: July 24, 2008 10:54:41 AM PDT To: [XXX] Subject: john edwards Hey bloggers, There has been a little buzz surrounding John Edwards and his alleged affair. Because the only source has been the National Enquirer we have decided not to cover the rumors or salacious speculations. So I am asking you all not to blog about this topic until further notified. If you have any questions or are ever in need of story ideas that would best fit your blog, please don't hesitate to ask Keep rockin, Tony That will certainly calm paranoia about the Mainstream Media (MSM) suppressing the Edwards scandal. ... P.S.: Is the Times' edict a) part of a double-standard that favors Democrats (and disfavors Republicans like Rep. Vito Fossella and John McCain)? Or does it b) simply reflect an outmoded Gatekeeper Model of journalism in which not informing readers of certain sensitive allegations is as important as informing them--as if readers are too simple-minded to weigh charges that are not proven, as if they aren't going to find out about such controversies anyway? I'd say it's a mixture of both (a) and (b). This was a sensational scandal the LAT and other MSM papers passionately did not want to uncover when Edwards was a formal candidate, and now that the Enquirer seems to have done the job for them it looks like they want everyone to shut up while they fail to uncover it again. ... P.P.S.: The Times apparently failed to get word of the ban to one of its bloggers in time to prevent her from shocking readers by saying she hoped the allegations against Edwards weren't true. ... 2:55 A.M. link

cutephase

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:46:47 -0800

best of luck to you and congrats tony! i read the la times blog too, the homicide report - buzz bands, so cya there! geoff boucher is super cool, go grab a beer with him someday. xo adam

Sommer Mathis

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:49:43 -0800

Very exciting news, Tony! Best of luck to you.

Tony Pierce

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:47:25 -0800

thanks everyone! im gonna miss LAist a lot too. a Lot.

polaroidgirl

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:26:19 -0800

Wow, congrats! LAist will miss you!!

ratpicnic

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:45:32 -0800

Congrats Tony! Good on ya!

Kulia

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:18:33 -0800

You usually annoyed the crap out of me on this blog, but hey, that's always better than boring me to death. Rock on. And congrats on the new gig. Maybe now I'll start reading the LAT. (Online only, of course.)

Joshua Pressman

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 08:46:08 -0800

Dude Tony...That picture of you on the phone, in what appears to be a hotel lobby, is so emo! Congrats on pulling that off and well yeah..the little Times position of yours.

Sotto Voce Nyx

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 07:30:44 -0800

Yay! Movin on up (or over) to the eastside...or something like that. Well met, Mr. Pierce and congrats. Thanks for the opportunity to share here at LAist.

Johnny

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:17:31 -0800

The day you left E! I knew it would be on to better and bigger things for you. I am so happy for you! Congrats and let's not lose touch.

terabull19

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:10:37 -0800

Tony....I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart, but I will have to say I will miss you on LAist. I have enjoyed reading your blogs...and comments. Looking forward to a new LAT and new "tony" perspective! Good luck!!!

grendel20

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:44:41 -0800

congrats!

tomdog

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:39:55 -0800

congratulations tony!! absolutely incredible!! looks like you will save the LAT

Chris Ullrich

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:01:28 -0800

well, this will definitely make the la times blogs a more interesting read. well done sir. best of luck.

flagrant

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:58:02 -0800

Yay! Congratulations Tony.

timmay

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:34:49 -0800

congrats (from california's better city)!!!!! ~timmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmay!!!!!

BrianHumphrey

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:28:57 -0800

...ooops. The avatar of my employer appears by mistake. I am of course expressing my personal opinion. -BH-

panasonicyouth

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:27:05 -0800

Wow, Tony. I am so proud of you and stoked that you'll be in such a position to affect the LA community. Bravo, dude!

BrianHumphrey

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:26:25 -0800

Tony, Congratulations to The Los Angeles Times - and most importantly: Thank You! I congratulate and applaud LAT on their decision to add you to their highly capable staff, and thank you for being a superb mentor of my personal and professional on-line endeavors. Best of luck to you Tony! Brian Humphrey

daze

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:39:44 -0800

congrats

Carrie Meathrell

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:46:16 -0800

tony pierce is my hero.