NPR Ombudsman Looks at Book review abuses and possible payola

[Tom Hendricks]

This is important for all zinesters and all writers.

Readers,

This is a Musea E-mail Extra. The NPR Ombudsman, due to concerns from me and others, has finally addressed NPR conflict of interest problems. This article talks about those in depth.
http:​/​/​www.​npr.​org/​blogs/​ombudsman/​2010/​04/​26/​126287451/...

The main concerns are books and music sales and review problems. Note my quotes in the article.

Tell others. Comment on the article. Let me know what you think. 

Tom Hendricks 
(editor of the 17 year old zine Musea)

http:​/​/​www.​Musea.​us (Musea, named as one of the best ZINES by UTNE magazine)
http:​/​/​www.​Hunkasaurus.​com (Music, 5 full CD's of free Post-Bands Music)
http:​/​/​www.​Musea.​wordpress.​com (Blog for Musea, Art Contests, Weekly E-mail Messages)

[NicoleIntrovert]

And can you please explain WHY this is important to all zinesters? Because, it's very unimportant to me, and I am a zinester.

[Tom Hendricks]

Many zinesters are the best writers out there. Because they are they should have fair coverage from NPR.NPR doesn't cover zinesters now. As a writer, you should also support other writers and join all of us who are trying to get fair and lawful coverage for all writers. Finally not only should you do this to support zinesters, and other writers, you should do it because it's the right thing to do.

NicoleIntrovert said:

And can you please explain WHY this is important to all zinesters? Because, it's very unimportant to me, and I am a zinester.

[Emma Jane Falconer]

You mean you think it's important to *american* zinesters

Everyone ≠ only americans

[Charlotte Underwood]

Emma Jane Falconer said:

You mean you think it's important to *american* zinesters

Everyone ≠ only americans

Yes, this. I had to look up NPR to see what it was. America is dandy and all, but we don't all live there. :)

[NicoleIntrovert]

Oh i live in America, ladies and it is not important to me. NPR gets a kickback from linking their interviews/reviews to Amazon or wherever. Good. NPR needs cash.

[Tom Hendricks]

No - all zinesters. NPR could lead the way in showcasing zinesters. That would make it harder to block fair reviews for zinesters everywhere. NPR can be heard anywhere on the planet.

For me artists of any kind, writers, painters, musicians, have a reasonable responsibility to help other artists and to give back. The me me me idea is an empty philosophy that doesn't work in the real world.

Emma Jane Falconer said:

You mean you think it's important to *american* zinesters

Everyone ≠ only americans

[NicoleIntrovert]

Why is it NPR's responsibility? Zines are a DIY movement. If you want to be heard... DO IT YOURSELF. Don't wait for a radio station to come seek you out.

[Tom Hendricks]

What do you think the media's role is in covering the arts?

NicoleIntrovert said:

Why is it NPR's responsibility? Zines are a DIY movement. If you want to be heard... DO IT YOURSELF. Don't wait for a radio station to come seek you out.

[NicoleIntrovert]

They don't have one - this is why zines exist.

Tom Hendricks said:

What do you think the media's role is in covering the arts?

NicoleIntrovert said:

Why is it NPR's responsibility? Zines are a DIY movement. If you want to be heard... DO IT YOURSELF. Don't wait for a radio station to come seek you out.

[Dan 10things]

I love NPR. I think whether you are a writer or a reporter, you should cover either what you want or what your editor assigns. Tom is just being silly. Someone could just as easily go on a tirade against his single-sheet zine because it doesn't cover hip hop. Why no hip hop Tom? Why if you cover music and the arts, no hip hop? Get my point? No one should be expected or forced to cover what you want them to. Do you forget what DIY ethics are about? If someone isn't covering it, cover it yourself.

[Hannah / Frothy Press]

If that was a Musea E-mail Extra, why did you post it here?

What's important to me as a zinester and writer is that a forum dedicated to the discussion of writing zines is kept free from post after post of self-promotion. Your crusade against NPR has nothing to do with zines. It is, as far as I can see, nothing more than a way for you to promote your websites, as the three links at the end of your post suggest.

If you have some legitimate defense for putting this stuff here, please post it, but if you're just going to call me anti-change and conservative, don't bother.