Comments on: Hitz Radio UK and Ryan Dunlop – fantasists, and lazy journalists http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/ From a radio futurologist - where broadcast radio and new platforms collide. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:13:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: dynamoe88 http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-13723 dynamoe88 Fri, 25 May 2007 12:10:01 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-13723 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitz_Radio_UK http://internet.wikia.com/wiki/Hitz_Radio_UK [This entry has been edited - JRC] [Further comments are now closed - please see main article for details - JRC] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitz_Radio_UK
http://internet.wikia.com/wiki/Hitz_Radio_UK

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]]> By: Could it bee more lazy journalists? - blog - James Cridland http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-13715 Could it bee more lazy journalists? - blog - James Cridland Thu, 24 May 2007 21:50:05 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-13715 [...] wrote a while back about a particular story about lazy journalism where an obviously fake story simply wasn’t checked before printing or [...] [...] wrote a while back about a particular story about lazy journalism where an obviously fake story simply wasn’t checked before printing or [...]

]]> By: dynamoe88 http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-13698 dynamoe88 Tue, 22 May 2007 20:14:43 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-13698 A little bit of further info and digging here: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=579159 [No real name = trouble. This entry has been edited - JRC] A little bit of further info and digging here: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=579159

[No real name = trouble. This entry has been edited - JRC]

]]> By: Ben http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-13693 Ben Tue, 22 May 2007 00:40:33 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-13693 He's also just in the final stages of the Shell Livewire contest as well. I think it's brilliant, obviously no-one ever checks fact in the media world... ..did I mention I have 27 million people reading my daily paper and I own 17 BBC channels.... He’s also just in the final stages of the Shell Livewire contest as well.

I think it’s brilliant, obviously no-one ever checks fact in the media world…

..did I mention I have 27 million people reading my daily paper and I own 17 BBC channels….

]]> By: Jason Hunter http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-13691 Jason Hunter Mon, 21 May 2007 14:40:01 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-13691 OK... so he won the "Business Hero" award for the daily record. Is this simply due to what he has said... or is there fact there that prooves he is the true young entrepreneur of scotland... OK… so he won the “Business Hero” award for the daily record. Is this simply due to what he has said… or is there fact there that prooves he is the true young entrepreneur of scotland…

]]> By: Matt Hurst http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-7169 Matt Hurst Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:42:44 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-7169 Thank you so very much for making my day James! I've just caught up with the discussion on MediaUK and clicked through to here, it makes for fantastic reading. He must be laughing at the media attention he has received. That said, he has achieved something remarkable. He has got several major media organisations to believe and publicise his claims... if he went to the tabloids tomorrow with the story of how easily he fooled the BBC, he'd probably do pretty well for himself! [This entry has been edited - JRC] Thank you so very much for making my day James! I’ve just caught up with the discussion on MediaUK and clicked through to here, it makes for fantastic reading. He must be laughing at the media attention he has received.

That said, he has achieved something remarkable. He has got several major media organisations to believe and publicise his claims… if he went to the tabloids tomorrow with the story of how easily he fooled the BBC, he’d probably do pretty well for himself!

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]]> By: Mike Bennett http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-5989 Mike Bennett Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:34:48 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-5989 This guy is still trying; and is posting job requests with radiodaddy.com. [This entry has been edited - JRC] This guy is still trying; and is posting job requests with radiodaddy.com.

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]]> By: Alex G http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-5971 Alex G Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:25:34 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-5971 This whole story reminds me very much of a digital magazine about 15 years ago, whose editor, aged 13, wrote enthusiastically to the local press in order to blow his own trumpet and get some free publicity. He knew that such was the state of naivity around stats reporting in 'new media', and the general poor quality of local journalism when faced with emerging technology, that it would be comparatively straightforward to bluster his way through interviews and get featured in the local press. That arrogant young brat also raved about the sea-change on the horizon, when one day, almost everyone would be able to publish for themselves online. Naturally, this preposterous idea was loudly scoffed at in the articles that followed. 10 years on, these organs have spent millions building up huge online empires. That was 15 years ago, when an 'online magazine' was published on bulletin board systems (the preceeding technology to the web) to download, and average connection speeds, if any, were about 20kbps (instead of the 2000kbps we now see). The resulting clippings now reside in places of pride at my mum's house. What I'm trying to say is that it takes two people to bring untruths to the world, a kid with balls to provide a ridiculous story, and a journalist without a real interest or skill to investigate it. As for this kid, I now work for one of the largest broadcasters in the world with their 'new media' stuff, and am always watching for the next kid with balls, because one day, they will be after my job. This whole story reminds me very much of a digital magazine about 15 years ago, whose editor, aged 13, wrote enthusiastically to the local press in order to blow his own trumpet and get some free publicity. He knew that such was the state of naivity around stats reporting in ‘new media’, and the general poor quality of local journalism when faced with emerging technology, that it would be comparatively straightforward to bluster his way through interviews and get featured in the local press. That arrogant young brat also raved about the sea-change on the horizon, when one day, almost everyone would be able to publish for themselves online. Naturally, this preposterous idea was loudly scoffed at in the articles that followed. 10 years on, these organs have spent millions building up huge online empires.

That was 15 years ago, when an ‘online magazine’ was published on bulletin board systems (the preceeding technology to the web) to download, and average connection speeds, if any, were about 20kbps (instead of the 2000kbps we now see).

The resulting clippings now reside in places of pride at my mum’s house.

What I’m trying to say is that it takes two people to bring untruths to the world, a kid with balls to provide a ridiculous story, and a journalist without a real interest or skill to investigate it.

As for this kid, I now work for one of the largest broadcasters in the world with their ‘new media’ stuff, and am always watching for the next kid with balls, because one day, they will be after my job.

]]> By: Memex 1.1 » Blog Archive » Fantasists and lazy journalists http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-5306 Memex 1.1 » Blog Archive » Fantasists and lazy journalists Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:05:41 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-5306 [...] — and (for anyone interested in journalism) salutary tale from James Cridland’s blog. It all started - on the internet, at least - with an interesting [...] [...] — and (for anyone interested in journalism) salutary tale from James Cridland’s blog. It all started – on the internet, at least – with an interesting [...]

]]> By: Matt T http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-5261 Matt T Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:29:57 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-5261 Anyone can make up inaccurate facts about anything and publish them. [This entry has been edited - JRC] Anyone can make up inaccurate facts about anything and publish them.

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]]> By: Paul Kerton http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4975 Paul Kerton Sun, 18 Mar 2007 03:03:44 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4975 Its pretty obvious that someone, somewhere is talking a good game. There is no way on EARTH he's making those kind of listener figures, or money. Its pretty obvious that someone, somewhere is talking a good game. There is no way on EARTH he’s making those kind of listener figures, or money.

]]> By: Gordon D http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4648 Gordon D Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:46:34 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4648 Well, if as Dan as stated they were told by PPL not to deal with them as PPL are dealing direct with this clown, then all I can say he is in a whole heap of trouble with PPL re payments to them. PPL ain't cheap!!! Well, if as Dan as stated they were told by PPL not to deal with them as PPL are dealing direct with this clown, then all I can say he is in a whole heap of trouble with PPL re payments to them.

PPL ain’t cheap!!!

]]> By: Nicky http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4573 Nicky Wed, 14 Mar 2007 21:40:24 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4573 My own pet hate is fake scientific claims, picked up and reprinted by lazy journalists, as beloved by the Daily Mail "CHEESE CAUSES CANCER" etc.. http://www.badscience.net is a great website which decodes the science claims behind the headlines. The author made a fascinating post this week where he traced a "puff" Press Release to the newspapers, barely touched by an edit on the way. In my experience, Radio, as any other business, does indeed attract fantasists. I am astonished how far people can - and do - get on pure bull, to the detriment of genuine participants. We have to be vigilant lest we end up being complicit. But that goes without saying. My own pet hate is fake scientific claims, picked up and reprinted by lazy journalists, as beloved by the Daily Mail “CHEESE CAUSES CANCER” etc.. http://www.badscience.net is a great website which decodes the science claims behind the headlines. The author made a fascinating post this week where he traced a “puff” Press Release to the newspapers, barely touched by an edit on the way.

In my experience, Radio, as any other business, does indeed attract fantasists. I am astonished how far people can – and do – get on pure bull, to the detriment of genuine participants. We have to be vigilant lest we end up being complicit. But that goes without saying.

]]> By: Matin Carruthers http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4554 Matin Carruthers Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:25:38 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4554 Who cares? you are clearly all jealous of the boy! ok hes lied about listeners etc but haha it is a good station Who cares? you are clearly all jealous of the boy! ok hes lied about listeners etc but haha it is a good station

]]> By: James Cridland http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4409 James Cridland Sun, 11 Mar 2007 19:36:27 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4409 <blockquote>I too have heard some incredible stories from his New Media manager. He messaged me on MSN messenger and told me that they are working on a 6 figure deal with a major sponsor and how they are going to get you James as you seem to be their major nemeses now.</blockquote>If they've said that, then it's sad. Everything I've said about HitzRadioUK has been true and factual, and I've been careful not to sensationalise what he's done. This episode isn't really Ryan's fault; more the fault of the media not bothering to do any fact-checking. The people who should be ashamed are the journalists, not a 15-year-old without the life experience to know better. It is faith in our industry that is behind this piece on my blog; both faith in the fact-checking abilities of journalists, and faith in the figures quoted by websites and internet radio broadcasters. I hope they understand this.

I too have heard some incredible stories from his New Media manager. He messaged me on MSN messenger and told me that they are working on a 6 figure deal with a major sponsor and how they are going to get you James as you seem to be their major nemeses now.

If they’ve said that, then it’s sad. Everything I’ve said about HitzRadioUK has been true and factual, and I’ve been careful not to sensationalise what he’s done. This episode isn’t really Ryan’s fault; more the fault of the media not bothering to do any fact-checking. The people who should be ashamed are the journalists, not a 15-year-old without the life experience to know better.

It is faith in our industry that is behind this piece on my blog; both faith in the fact-checking abilities of journalists, and faith in the figures quoted by websites and internet radio broadcasters. I hope they understand this.

]]> By: Daniel Brewington http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4405 Daniel Brewington Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:47:58 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4405 I have had personal contact last week with both Ryan and Craig as has my business partner Ross. They came to us for help with their PPL licensing, (we hold the exclusive PPL Extended Territories license for internet radio) unfortunately due to the amount of listeners they claimed to have and the publicity we were told to back off as it was being dealt with directly with PPL. I advised young Ryan last week not to over exaggerate his listening number and to be truthful. With his account on Spacial Audio he can hold 100 listeners at 32 kbps and the other station he has can hold 20 listeners at 32kbps. That’s it nothing more no massive numbers no FM studio just 120 listener slots at 32kbps I too have heard some incredible stories from his New Media manager. He messaged me on MSN messenger and told me that they are working on a 6 figure deal with a major sponsor and how they are going to get you James as you seem to be their major nemeses now. The Craig also told me they are going to pay the £28,000 to PPL and I said that doesn’t make sense. Let’s do the math, £28,000 owed divided by 120 listeners equals £233 per listener!!! I know a little about advertising as my wife is in the business and there is NO WAY any sponsor major or minor is going to pay over £200 per listener to advertise. You folks in the business know what I am driving at. Many of us here have been in internet radio for up to 10 years (me personally 8 years) and we all know that the claims are false. I personally feel that all the publicly surrounding this story will not give advertisers faith in our industry. I think when the truth comes out it will do more damage to internet radio and will set us back years, as far as getting advertisers to advertise with internet radio. Well that’s my 2 pence worth hope it sheds some light. Cheers Daniel H. Brewington Founder & CEO www.webradioworld.com I have had personal contact last week with both Ryan and Craig as has my business partner Ross. They came to us for help with their PPL licensing, (we hold the exclusive PPL Extended Territories license for internet radio) unfortunately due to the amount of listeners they claimed to have and the publicity we were told to back off as it was being dealt with directly with PPL.

I advised young Ryan last week not to over exaggerate his listening number and to be truthful. With his account on Spacial Audio he can hold 100 listeners at 32 kbps and the other station he has can hold 20 listeners at 32kbps. That’s it nothing more no massive numbers no FM studio just 120 listener slots at 32kbps

I too have heard some incredible stories from his New Media manager. He messaged me on MSN messenger and told me that they are working on a 6 figure deal with a major sponsor and how they are going to get you James as you seem to be their major nemeses now. The Craig also told me they are going to pay the £28,000 to PPL and I said that doesn’t make sense. Let’s do the math, £28,000 owed divided by 120 listeners equals £233 per listener!!!

I know a little about advertising as my wife is in the business and there is NO WAY any sponsor major or minor is going to pay over £200 per listener to advertise. You folks in the business know what I am driving at. Many of us here have been in internet radio for up to 10 years (me personally 8 years) and we all know that the claims are false.

I personally feel that all the publicly surrounding this story will not give advertisers faith in our industry. I think when the truth comes out it will do more damage to internet radio and will set us back years, as far as getting advertisers to advertise with internet radio.

Well that’s my 2 pence worth hope it sheds some light.

Cheers
Daniel H. Brewington
Founder & CEO
www.webradioworld.com

]]> By: Frankie Roberto http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4205 Frankie Roberto Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:50:59 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4205 <blockquote>"PPL don’t produce a public list of licensees - amazingly - so you’ve no idea who’s legal and who’s not legal; but Last.fm does not have a PPL licence."</blockquote> Indeed, I had suspected the same, but didn't want to make the allegation without knowing for sure. Internet radio is pretty difficult to run commercially (if not impossible, legally). But the real story here is that, commercial realities aside, internet radio is relatively easy to start up, and enables individuals and small groups to produce live radio broadcasts (like Ryan) for specific communities or audiences in a way that was never previously possible.

“PPL don’t produce a public list of licensees – amazingly – so you’ve no idea who’s legal and who’s not legal; but Last.fm does not have a PPL licence.”

Indeed, I had suspected the same, but didn’t want to make the allegation without knowing for sure.

Internet radio is pretty difficult to run commercially (if not impossible, legally). But the real story here is that, commercial realities aside, internet radio is relatively easy to start up, and enables individuals and small groups to produce live radio broadcasts (like Ryan) for specific communities or audiences in a way that was never previously possible.

]]> By: James Cridland http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4200 James Cridland Fri, 09 Mar 2007 21:16:17 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4200 Frankie says: <i>I’m not even sure whether web services like Last.fm are able to pay PPL fees, as the last time I looked, the standard contract doesn’t allow for much interactivity (like skip, next track, etc).</i> PPL don't produce a public list of licensees - amazingly - so you've no idea who's legal and who's not legal; but Last.fm does not have a PPL licence. [You should understand that PPL's interactive rates are not realistic for ad-funded online radio; though that does mean that Last.fm are currently operating illegally.) Frankie says: I’m not even sure whether web services like Last.fm are able to pay PPL fees, as the last time I looked, the standard contract doesn’t allow for much interactivity (like skip, next track, etc).

PPL don’t produce a public list of licensees – amazingly – so you’ve no idea who’s legal and who’s not legal; but Last.fm does not have a PPL licence.

[You should understand that PPL’s interactive rates are not realistic for ad-funded online radio; though that does mean that Last.fm are currently operating illegally.)

]]> By: Jason Cartwright http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4186 Jason Cartwright Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:43:12 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4186 Interesting stuff. I've seen a similar story a while back picked up by national press about a kid starting up a web hosting business. A little research revealed that the chap only had a Fasthosts Reseller account. All the servers and datacentres he claimed to own (by posting photos cribbed from fasthosts.co.uk) actually belong to them. Interesting stuff. I’ve seen a similar story a while back picked up by national press about a kid starting up a web hosting business.

A little research revealed that the chap only had a Fasthosts Reseller account. All the servers and datacentres he claimed to own (by posting photos cribbed from fasthosts.co.uk) actually belong to them.

]]> By: Craig Hannington http://james.cridland.net/blog/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/comment-page-1/#comment-4171 Craig Hannington Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:31:54 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/03/08/fantasists-and-lazy-journalists/#comment-4171 James........... Genius.....I wonder what will happen next James………..

Genius…..I wonder what will happen next

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