Comments on: Judge orders Oracle, Google to disclose paid journalists and bloggers

By: Rich Luongo

Rich Luongo — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:00:18 +0000

Aren’t those writers who receive payment while allegedly trying to be objective really part of the world’s oldest profession? Just wondering.

By: Paul Ivice

Paul Ivice — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:57:50 +0000

Yes, as a journalist who writes objectively and is paid only by the publication I am offended by those who pose as journalists but are being paid for their opinions whether it is a tech blogger a restaurant reviewer or a movie critic. Part of Truth in Advertising should be the inform the public when something is advertising and not objective journalism. To allow people being paid to express certain opinions to mix in with objective journalists threatens the integrity of my profession.

By: ThinkOpenly

ThinkOpenly — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:20:58 +0000

It’s surprising that you think Mueller’s coverage is “head and shoulders above” anything, when he’s so often biased and clearly wrong (cf. SCO, Oracle). And now we may find out how much he was paid to be that way. Groklaw is much more prescient.

By: fricfrac

fricfrac — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:19:19 +0000

‘…imperious propaganda…’
You mean like this piece on this site from two days ago:
http://gigaom.com/2012/08/05/apple-and-microsofts-patent-troll-spells-trouble-for-smartphone-innovation/?go_commented=1#comment-876665
…with an attached apology and disclaimer.
Schizophrenia much?
It would be interesting to know who gets paid to say what and who does the fact checking. The poor uninformed reader is poorly served either way.

By: Dan H

Dan H — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:38:47 +0000

LOVE it. Get rid of all the media whores, posers, and parasites and let’s get back to making money the old fashioned way in this business. EARN IT.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:29:08 +0000

This is nothing new. People have been paid to sway public opinion for centuries. Its called advertising. Do you suppose if any new legislation were to be inspired from this order, it would exclude politicians?

By: Charbax

Charbax — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:56:57 +0000

What I hate the most about Florian Mueller is that his bogus stories have already been spread throughout the front page of Techmeme, linked to as the main source for anti-Google FUD about 5000 times already over the past 2 years. Imagining all the wasted time and effort for the blogosphere is just so painful, the case of Florian Mueller is absolutely scandalous and terrible.

By: Jeffrey Chard

Jeffrey Chard — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 08:42:50 +0000

I like Mueller but I was not aware he was being paid by one of the sides. I was a bit surprised.

By: Jeff John Roberts

Jeff John Roberts — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 07:44:28 +0000

Thanks for your comment, George. Yes, I’m no fan of Florian Mueller but it’s not the result of sour grapes. My problem is that his imperious propaganda distorts public understanding of an important and difficult issue. And don’t give too much credit to his coverage; it’s my understanding that counsel for his clients provide him with annotated court briefs on which he stamps his spurious opinions (while typically assuring his readers that they don’t have to read the briefs since he does it for them). I also dislike his habit of responding to people who question his ethics by asserting that he knows far more than them. He is a fraud and a humbug.

By: Jaspal Rekhi

Jaspal Rekhi — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 05:08:05 +0000

Great order. Enough is enough. Thanks Jeff