CNET Reporter Resigns Over CBS Interference In Dish CES Award

from the editorial-independence dept

Mon, Jan 14th 2013 10:36am — Mike Masnick

Last week, in writing about CBS's unquestionably stupid decision to interfere with subsidiary CNET when it covered Dish's new DVR device, all because CBS is involved in litigation against Dish over a similar device, I came very close to calling out reporter Greg Sandoval by name. Sandoval is an excellent reporter for CNET who has covered the Dish case in particular, along with numerous other copyright issues. I don't always agree with him, but I think he's a tough and fair reporter, and it seemed like CBS's decision would put his objective reporting in doubt. Minutes before posting the article, I pulled the sentence that included Sandoval's name, because I thought it was, perhaps, unfair to put him on the spot like that, and that each employee of CNET had to make a personal decision on how to handle the situation.

Now it appears that Sandoval has made his decision, announcing that he's resigned from CNET due to this situation:

Hello all. Sad to report that I've resigned from CNET. I no longer have confidence that CBS is committed to editorial independence.
— Greg Sandoval (@sandoCNET) January 14, 2013

As he notes, he no longer has confidence that CBS is committed to editorial independence. In later tweets, he notes that CBS never interfered with his own reporting, but that the situation was unacceptable and would lead others to call into question his own independence -- especially considering that Sandoval reported on the Dish case and other similar cases.

CNET wasn't honest about what occurred regarding Dish is unacceptable to me. We are supposed to be truth tellers.
— Greg Sandoval (@sandoCNET) January 14, 2013

This all comes out after further information on the story reveals that CBS didn't just bar CNET staff from considering the new Dish device for the "Best of CES" award, but actually forced staffers to re-vote after the device had already won the award:

The Verge has now learned that the facts of the case are somewhat different than the story CNET and CBS had previously shared with the public. According to sources familiar with the matter, the Hopper was not simply an entrant in the Best of CES awards for the site: it was actually chosen as the winner of the "Best of Show" award (as voted by CNET's editorial staff).

Apparently, executives at CBS learned that the Hopper would win "Best of Show" prior to the announcement. Before the winner was unveiled, CBS Interactive News senior-vice president and General Manager Mark Larkin informed CNET's staff that the Hopper could not take the top award. The Hopper would have to be removed from consideration, and the editorial team had to re-vote and pick a new winner from the remaining choices. Sources say that Larkin was distraught while delivering the news — at one point in tears — as he told the team that he had fought CBS executives who had made the decision.

Apparently the move to strike the Hopper from the awards was passed down directly to Larkin from the office of CBS CEO, Leslie Moonves. Moonves has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Hopper, telling investors at one point, "Hopper cannot exist... if Hopper exists, we will not be in business with (Dish)."

The Verge report also notes that CNET/CBS Interactive folks fought hard against the decision from the top folks at CBS, but in the end were told they had no choice. While it's not too surprising that folks from the old gatekeeper system, like Moonves, would be so clueless as to think that such a move would not massively backfire, it's still stunning to see that he never appeared to think through the consequences.

Kudos to Sandoval for standing up for his principles. As a top reporter in the space, I have no doubt he'll land on his feet -- hopefully at a publication with more credibility. Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: cnet, greg sandoval, journalistic independence
Companies: cbs, dish

40 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 10:45am

I look forward to reading his columns wherever he heads to next. Always found him to be an excellent and unbiased reporter. We can never have enough of those.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
weneedhelp (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 10:48am

Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
Ethics in journalism is like honesty in politics.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 10:50am

Well done
*Rises to his feet and begins clapping slowly, but emphatically*
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 10:59am

Re: Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
You mean quite common, but often overlooked by those with little interest in the details.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Milton Freewater, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:02am

Re: Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
"Ethics in journalism is like honesty in politics."

This story is about ethical journalists who voted to promote a device that might threaten their company's revenues in the short term. So yeah, journalists can be unethical but these ones aren't.

Moonves can't get his head around what a CBS CEO's job responsibilities should be in 2012, i.e. maximum revenue generation in the CURRENT climate, not the climate you prefer. Once fund managers and stockholders start seeing his attitude as a red flag, he'll change his tune or they'll find someone who will.

We talk about the next generation of lawmakers and judges being friendlier to communications innovations, and that's important, but arguably even more important is the next generation of investors.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:13am

Wow A reporet with morals, how rare.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
dennis deems (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:16am

Re: Well done
What's with this "slow clap" meme? Where and how did it start? In my experience a slow clap was an act of derision, always meant sarcastically.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:24am

Re: Re: Well done
Popularized in nearly every '80s teen movie, the slow clap indicates a transition in group mindset toward an outsider from "outsider" status to acceptance and support.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:32am

Re: Re: Re: Well done
Except when no one joins the person who starts the clapping in the first place. Then that person is just viewed as wierd in a very awkward moment. Mike, I think what we may need here is an "Applause" button.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PT (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:36am

Interesting!
What is this "hopper" of which they speak? I'd never heard of it before, but now I'm thinking I need to buy one. Thanks for the tip, CBS!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:42am

I know. How about if Techdirtbag hires him? Oh right, Mike doesn't believe in paying people.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Lord Binky, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:46am

Re: Re: Well done
Tvtropes.org search slow clap and you'll have more examples than you'd like to know existed.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chris Rhodes (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:46am

Re:
I believe I speak for everyone here when I say:

wat
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:47am

Re:
!! That was sooooo almost funny.. Okay not really.... Now go do something productive like trying to fuck a wood chipper.
PS Don't fall in. Derp

As for the reporter good for him he did the right thing and I respect that.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:47am

Re:
They aren't even open yet.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:48am

Re: Interesting!
The commercials stuck in my head now after reading this: "dishes new whole home dvr -- the hopper." Nice move CBS.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Lord Binky, 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:49am

Re: Interesting!
The Hopper : So awesome, we don't know if it's even legal.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
weneedhelp (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:50am

Re: Re: Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
Ethics in journalism is like honesty in politics.

Those two go together. My comment was directed at those who stay and keep their mouths shut and allow their names to be tarnished with further reviews where the reader will now always wonder if this is basically an infomercial. Because we now absolutely know, and should have always known, where there are corporate interests, honesty flies out the window for whATS PERCEIVED BY MANAGEMENT (sorry caps lock snafu) as best for the company. (While actually clueless as seen here. I will never trust a CNET review as 100% biased again.)

Its a prime example of what has happened to journalism in the US. At least by my perception.

"So yeah, journalists can be unethical but these ones aren't." - We will see.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:52am

Re: Re: Re: Well done
For the lazy [WARNING: TVTROPES]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
weneedhelp (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:54am

Re:
[Hangs head] Dont you guys even try anymore? We used to have quality trolls around here, now it's just crap like above.

And where the hell can I get this Techdirt bag I hear so much about?

0/10
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Infamous Joe (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:59am

Re: Re: Interesting!
The Hopper: Some bigwig CEO doesn't want you to have it, so you know you need it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Liz (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 12:21pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Well done
There goes my afternoon.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 12:43pm

What if they'd all refused to do what Larkin said they had to do? Like, as a bloc. Would they all have been canned?

I guess they kinda did, since we're talking about it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
jupiterkansas (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 1:02pm

Re: Interesting!
It's just a commercial skipping DVR.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 1:13pm

They could have simply announced it quickly before the memo came.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
DCL, 14 Jan 2013 @ 1:28pm

Re: Re: Re: Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
Interesting... you didn't take the time to correct your CAPS issue but you took the time (probably the same about) to apologize for it.

I think there may be a corollary in there about how ethics in journalism work for bulk of reporters.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Michael Becker (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 1:40pm

Re: Re: Well done
A gradual building of applause, usually starting with one person clapping slowly, and ending with an enthusiastic standing ovation. Generally shows approval for an underdog in a come from behind victory or after losing with pride intact.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 1:40pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
If you're using a mobile device it is often easier to just apologize for mistakes and move on than to try to erase and re-write the mistake. Correlation does not mean causation.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 2:10pm

Re: Re:
Coming to the insider shop soon I guess.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Davey, 14 Jan 2013 @ 3:44pm

When will we have more real journalists running the news and be rid of assholes like Moonves? These corporate leeches are good for nothing except screwing their customers and ruining innovation.

Hopefully 60 MInutes will be getting the story and helping drive Moonves to a home in a doorway where one of his intellect and integrity belong. Ooops, forgot: 60 Minutes is CBS, and so won't be allowed to comment. Hopefully Mike Wallace, Cronkite, and the other real journalists from back when CBS wasn't scum will find a way to wreak revenge.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
DCL, 14 Jan 2013 @ 4:43pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
You just expanded my point... in today's "get it out there as soon as possible" world we often take the easy way, like not always checking sources (add multiple TD article references here), which leads to outside groups perceiving an overall corruption of mainstream ethics(sometimes rightfully so).

That also expands to the "Suits" piercing the journalistic veil of independence for the shortsightedness of blocking a competitors product, later they will apologize (hopefully) and try to smooth things over.

Somebody with true integrity works to actively prevent corruption with every action the are responsible for. Hence Sandoval has come away with more integrity then the suits in this case.

My initial response was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek but I purposely used the word corollary to soften the correlation vs causation argument.

Personally when I type on a mobile device and I go back and fix my edits (the ones I notice) instead of just apologizing for them. I must be old skool.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 8:31pm

Re: Re: Let's see if other CNET reporters follow suit.
" but arguably even more important is the next generation of investors."

Very insightful!!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 8:36pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Well done
I am now viewing you in a very "awkward moment".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Carl Alsing, 14 Jan 2013 @ 9:03pm

Greg Sandoval, journalist
Good for you, Greg Sandoval. Wherever I see your work next, I'll read it with trust.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Carl Alsing, 14 Jan 2013 @ 9:10pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Well done
Clap clap clap. Clap clap clap clap clap. Faster now.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jan 2013 @ 9:48pm

good riddance.. sorry.. can't get past the spin (or extreme ignorance) he put on copyright pieces.. having cnet in his title made him dangerous.. hope he can't do as much damage wherever he ends up..
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gregg, 15 Jan 2013 @ 5:59am

What's sad about this
What is sad about this, is really how little shocked people are about a big "media" corporation making it's own news through a News subsidiary. We are all so used to corporations being corrupt and manipulating the truth to get their desired response that we lump them in with politicians, taking the lessor of two evils. It's not that we ever really trusted big media or big corporations, but the "News" was always expected to be fair and clean. Over 20 years of Fox news and other BS, this just helps put the nail in the coffin.

CBS should have it's executive board fired, fined and flogged.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Former CNet reader, 15 Jan 2013 @ 2:32pm

C|Net CES connection
Kudos to Greg for doing what I think many would be too afraid or intimidated to do.

But, on an additional note... the bigger problem which I think many people may be unaware of is that C|Net is *THE* OFFICIAL awards partner of CES itself and has been for the last 11 or so years.

So in effect CBS has affirmed by this massive CF, that they now control CES's 'Best of' award process and can simply deny a company from even being considered for an award simply because the suits may not like whatever product is being showcased.

Personally if I were Dish's CEO, I'd be demanding that the CEA terminate that relationship immediately as the official awards process is now obviously biased and tainted!!

Seriously... who didn't see this coming when a content company acquired a tech news company. The two fundamentally do not mix since big content/media have always reviled new technology - because it's seen as a threat.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Jamie Jacobson, 17 Jan 2013 @ 8:36pm

skipping commercials on live TV
Hopper is nice for recorded shows, but what about live TV ?

this iphone app lets you skip commercials on live TV!   

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/commercial-break/id589327264?mt=8

   ;It sends a message to your iphone when commercials are over. 

coooool!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Edward Eade, 19 Jan 2013 @ 2:53pm

His twitter accounts been deleted
And now CBS deleted his twitter account rather than leave up such seditious comments by a now ex-employee
[ link to this | view in thread ]