January 29, 2009

VitaMN story

So VitaMN published a story about Stupor Bowl, written by Amber Schadewald that starts off this way:

Every year, on the weekend of Super Bowl Sunday, Minneapolis hosts one of the largest, longest-running bike races of its kind. It attracts riders from across the country and gains attention from bike communities worldwide. What race is this, you ask? Shhh. It's a secret. The first rule of this race is: Do not talk about the race.

But what happens when an underground event celebrates its 12th year and grows to nearly 400 participants? It's only natural that it will muster some outside curiosity, and come to a crossroads. The name of the race (read quietly): the Stupor Bowl, which takes place on Saturday.

Acquiring information for a story on the event was a legitimate pain. Dozens of voice mails and e-mails went unanswered, and this year's organizers refused to comment. Fans of the race seem to have made a pact of silence, citing valid concerns of being shut down if the race gets too big. Racers are also worried about legal issues and police interference, especially after seeing the popular Critical Mass group rides turned into a police-led parade.


So after it is made clear to the author that the race organizer's in no way want to be part of her story and that they want as little attention as possible, she ignored their wishes and published the piece. I am all for journalistic integrity and the people's right to know but we're not talking about a politicians past or a major news story, we're talking about Stupor Bowl. A counter culture event that wants nothing to do with the mainstream public and who's very existence is threatened by mainstream attention such as this.

Her selfish disregard for the wishes of the people who organize and created this race threatens this race, future races, and the alleycat scene in general.

Amber, you have done a great disservice to the cycling community of Minneapolis, I hope in the future you will not help destroy the very things you seek to report on.
Shame on you and this terrible lapse in judgement. Going ahead with this story was a total dick move.

9 comments:

Lt Greggles said...

also, i feel it read like a very unprofessional article. something you'd see a high school girl who plans on going to the U to take womens studies, but still somehow finds suicidegirls and deviantart empowering for feminist ideals.. yeah i said it.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm... you write a blog, so you know what's newsworthy and what's beyond scrutiny.

I've said it before, it was only a matter of time. Would you rather have Amber do it, or some anti-bike nut, who might even tell the readers to run us over?

Anonymous said...

You are drawing attention to an article that you don't think should have been published? How much sense does that make.

Also blaming the author gives a free pass to the people interviewed. Are you going to tell Brad, Susan, and Landon the same thing you are telling the author?

Just curious how much further your scorn will extend.

Anonymous said...

Whatever dude. It's not like she gave any details besides the fact that it's happening this weekend.Get over yourself.

Sean said...

I'm sure Blagojevich didn't want anything published about his activities either. They have a myspace, it's pretty tough to keep stuff underground when you have an active internet presence.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, sock it to me, Jeff!

Jeff said...

I stand by my comments...

she should have respected the organizers wishes.

If someone let's you know that mainstream media attention is not desirable for their event and that they are afraid that it will jeopardized the event itself I believe that she should have backed off. Her recklessness does no favors for this cycling community.

Anonymous said...

so you think suicidegirls doesn't empower feminist ideals? that's such a male take on what feminism should be.

Unknown said...

I wish I wouldn't have read this post. You did a diservice to my wishes of maintaining integrity on your own blog.

P.S. Her story wasn't half that bad. You should be more mad at those that agreed to be interviewed!