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Ask the CEO

December 19, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Question from Mark in Los Angeles: (Note. The Ask the CEO about mean-spirited bloggers received more emails and comments than any other Ask the CEO since the series began. I am responding to Mark's question; hopefully it will answer the many that I've received).

Mr. Newman. I can understand your frustration with the "mean-spirited" bloggers, but don't you think you went a bit too far comparing them to that TV show? (Note: I decided not to mention the show again, the question did). Outside of that, I thought the points you made were very constructive and on target. I would hope that people would show more discretion.

Mark (and others): Thank you for the email. In retrospect, perhaps my response was too harsh and for that I apologize. I will be more careful. As you can imagine, I also heard from Paul Reeths of OCS and he was not too happy either. Sorry Paul.

I do believe very strongly in freedom of the press and I most certainly do not want to discourage participation on open forums. But there is a point where bloggers have to step back and take a little more responsibility for their actions, to show a little more discretion about what they write. The ability to hide behind cute little nicknames and not to identify yourself is wrong, especially when you are writing mean-spirited, angry, hostile postings that are not based in fact.

Right now, state governments and the federal government are looking closely at the misuse of the internet by cyber bullies with no accountability for their statements. The result could end up being restrictions on what you can and can't say, and that will be a step towards limiting freedom of the press (if you consider websites "the press."). Newspapers, radio and TV could not get away with some of the outlandish things that some bloggers get away with, and the best part is that responsible media don't want to. Most are responsible and accountable. And when they aren't, they answer for their actions. Hiding behind a nickname, being anonymous and being afraid to identify yourself is the act of a coward.

I have had some very difficult emails from Scott in Chicago that have come to my email address. I do not like what he says and how he says it. The difference is that he has identified himself and is a basketball fan. He does not agree with everything I do (an understatement). I don't agree with everything he says (basically anything he says). But he is not a coward and I respect that. Again, I am sorry if I offended people with my comment in the Ask the CEO. If you have a question, email conniejoenewman@aol.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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