A private Hideaway just for media ..(convention)

[SoCalDem]

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/08/27/a_far_cry_from_smoke_filled_reporters_havens_of_past



A far cry from smoke-filled reporters' havens of past
By Keith Reed, Globe Staff | August 27, 2004

Reporters who tire of searching for real news at New York's Republican National Convention next week -- or who just want a safe haven from their editors -- can look forward to some downtime in a private hideaway just for them.

Barneys New York, the struggling, upscale department store favored by the "Sex and the City" women, plans to pamper the throngs of media members covering the convention in a special lounge inside the Farley Post Office building. The post office is being renovated, to the tune of $3.8 million, in the press convention work area by the NYC 2004 host committee and Barneys, hoping for an image boost of its own, decided to jump on the bandwagon.

"We call it an oasis where the press can come in, relax, and enjoy the city," said Taylor Piedra, manager of concierge services at Barneys. "Our corporate office wanted to have some kind of contact with the RNC and with the media," so the lounge, dubbed "The BarneysLoft," was what they came up with, he said.

snip.....

Provided they can find their way and climb the few old stairs leading to the oasis, reporters will find what '90s neo-soul phenom Maxwell envisioned in calling his first album "Urban Hang Suite." Leather couches will beckon them to take a load off, and if that's not enough, free massages are available. A pool table awaits the more sporting reporters. Those always-pretty television types will also be able to look their best: free haircuts and manicures are available, compliments of John Allan's, a swank salon partnering with Barneys. Oh, yeah, they're providing the beer, too.

snip......

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Greeaaaattt.

They can just hide there for the duration and recycle RNC press releases in pampered comfort.

Ghod forbid the little dears should break a nail or pop a zit while working for a living.

Many eons ago, I went to college for a short while, ostensibly to enter journalism, an idea that saw its derailment in the recession of the very early 70's. Dad got canned, I came home. I do remember, though, that while I was there they made it clear that A Real Journalist worked for a living, had ethics and a commitment to the truth, a sense of personal honor and a finely-tuned bullshit filter.

All attributes that are very hard to find in today's ink-stained wretches.

One problems, as I see it, is not necessarily said wretches, but their editors. I have a young friend who is very soon to be a former journalist(Got a nice political job, she's making her escape and I don't blame her). Editors have driven her to leave the profession. Many editors bring new meaning to the word "incompetent".

[SoCalDem]

2. Reporters used to be blue collar folks

who punched a timeclock and answered to lots of people.. Now they are "Stars".."celebs"..making huge bucks.. There is no way they can do an objective investigation on someone, to whose home they are just dying to be invited...

Their kids are pals with the kids of the ones they "cover".. The orbit the same galaxy..

It never used to be that way.. there was a built-in adversarial nature to the business..