About two days ago, about 120 local bloggers (their e-mail addresses probably taken from the local - and now obsolete - Triangle Bloggers MeetUp.org page) got an e-Vite to this:
You are cordially invited to attend to the NBC 17 Triangle Blogger Community Ascertainment.What: NBC 17 holds community ascertainments once a month in our viewing area. A community ascertainment is a casual meeting with representatives from the community and NBC 17. They are also referred to as Listening Tours.
We would like to invite you to our groundbreaking Blogger Ascertainment. We recognize the contributions bloggers are making to their readers and would like the opportunity to make a lasting connection with your important voice.
This meeting will be dedicated to finding out more about the important issues in your community, and suggestions on how we might be able to serve them better.
You talk.....we listen.
These meetings will not be taped. Notes will be taken by our staff. Tours of the station will be conducted.
It's telling that only a handful people responded so far. Brian and Paul explain why that is so (and Brian also gives an example of the way WRAL does it better).
I finally decided to respond, though the response window allows for only 375 characters so I had to cut my response in half:
I'd like to ascertain you instead of being ascertained. I'd like to know more about what you want and what are you offering us. It is in the nature of bloggers to blog about these things. That staff takes notes suggests the obvious question: Are we going to post our own notes? How "closed door", secretive and essentialy anti-all-that-blogs-are-about is this entire thing?
Comments
Now why would the Main Stream Media have to try and get on the good side of bloggers? I mean what have they done to make bloggers mad?
Posted by: BrianR | February 5, 2007 10:30 AM
Hello! I wanted to stop by and say thank you for blogging about our upcoming "bloggers meetup".
While I am not a blogger, I read blogs on a daily basis. I am excited to be able to meet and interact with you and all the bloggers that are able to come. I am fully aware not everyone will be able to make it. This is not a one time deal. We hope to offer a number of these on different days and during different dayparts. The goal is to allow as many bloggers to attend, as possible...over the course of time.
You are welcome to invite and spread the word to other bloggers as my list is far far far from complete. Simply have the RSVP to the e-vite. This will ensure I have an accurate count for food and refreshments among other things for those that attend.
This meeting is casual. One thing we want to know is how we can better assist the triangle bloggers? We hope to have a discussion and work towards that at this first meetup.
I really hope you will be able to attend. Meanwhile, If I can be of any assistance...let me know!
Thanks
Posted by: Jason | February 5, 2007 6:04 PM