Wired spat

Wired Magazine and A-list blogger Jason Calacanis are having a bit of a blog spat about the ground rules for an interview. Wired reporter Fred Vogelstein asked Calacanis for an interview, to which Calacanis agreed, providing that it was conducted via email. Which is when the fireworks started, because Vogelstein doesn't do email interviews, apparently.

I understand both sides of this issue: reporters prefer the freedom and spontaneity of a verbal interview because it can often lead to a more interesting story. Interviewees are often leery of a verbal interview because the freedom and spontaneity can lead to an unfortunately more interesting story. Fine. But it seems to me that casting aspersions in public as the basis for your stance – witness Calacanis' implication that reporters are hacks that quote people out of context and Wired's response that people that won't do a phone interview are cowards with something to hide – strikes me as a bit over the top. If you want an interview and the only way you'll get it is via email, then either agree or move on, don't call names. And if you want to use email to ensure that your responses are as accurate as possible, then say that and don't imply that the reporter is untrustworthy unless you want to start something. Clearly there are some big chips on these shoulders, and the ability to air this sort of spat in public does a disservice to blogging in general.

-posted by Paul