Randy Michaels Shows No Love For Bloggers: Tribune CEO Feuds With Media Blogger Who Reported On His 'Banned Words' Memo

On Wednesday, WBEZ media columnist Robert Feder published an internal memo from Tribune Company CEO Randy Michaels that listed 119 words WGN employees weren't allowed to say on air.

The "list of forbidden 'newsspeak' words and phrases" was comprised of words Michaels disliked, along with basic no-nos such as redundancies and jargon. The memo read:

"The real goal here is to avoid using words that make you sound like you're reading, instead of talking -- that shatter the image you're speaking knowledgeably to one person. By not using 'newsspeak,' you enhance your reputation as a communicator."

The memo also asks employees to report any on-air infractions by their co-workers and "making sure to note the precise time and date on "bingo cards" he provided that contain a random assortment of Michaels' forbidden words."

Feder--along with many online commenters--criticized Michaels' list, Feder calling it "just plain creepy" as well as "petty and insulting."

Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn asked Michaels to respond to the "kerfuffle" caused by his banned words list--and Michaels ripped Feder. Michaels wrote:

"...The "kerfuffle" is a bit bewildering. Most news organizations have a style book, and the suggestions on that list are pretty basic.

It is surprising that some believe that the CEO of a content company should not be concerned about content.

As for where the list came from, it clearly came from WGN radio since it had Charlie's perhaps unfortunate introduction. It was compiled by a few people after the News Directors meeting. The same list went to all of the TV news directors without public reaction. Someone who works at WGN must think sending internal memos to an out of work blogger who doesn't like us is OK. That part is the most disappointing.

On Friday, Feder accused Michaels of shooting the messenger, and pointed out that just because he no longer works for a newspaper does not mean he is "out of work." Feder wrote:

Michaels' response is irksome for two reasons: First, it falsely assumes that I think a CEO shouldn't "focus on content." No, I just believe the arrogant and heavy-handed way he went about it was wrong. And second, to say that I am "no longer paid to be in media" is completely and utterly false.

More troubling, though, is the inference that Michaels believes all bloggers are unpaid hobbyists who aren't really "in media," as he defines it. In case he doesn't know it, online professional journalism happens to be the future of media.

Is a Tribune versus Bloggers Everywhere battle in the works? Or has it already started?

Find the full list of Michaels' banned words here.

Comments

[democritus]

10:44 PM on 03/18/2010

I would add "ongoing" to the list. I'm sure we could come up with more. I hate it when people say "this isn't about the . . . whatever".

[olddognewtrick]

08:46 PM on 03/15/2010

I have not read the list but would love to have: "gone horribly wrong" and "went missing" added to it if they are not already there?

[hdohighdesertobserver]

01:05 PM on 03/15/2010

It's one thing to have and to publish style sheet guidelines, but you can't treat a writer like a factory technician and you can't alienate your employees.

[OliverTwist]

09:19 PM on 03/14/2010

The list was Ok.

The instructions on enforcement were vile.

It just goes to show that people who can make good lists sometimes don't know what to do with them.

[TheGripester]

08:43 PM on 03/14/2010

Um...I think that Michaels was trying to "de-cliché" his anchors, and Feder found one or two dictatorial points. Then Michaels overstated his objections with unnecessary diminishment of Feder. In other words, a private little war.

Michaels has a point in that the news stream is becoming a homogenous, indistinguishable stream of events reported on with the same hackneyed phrases in every broadcast. This is editorial direction, not censorship, as he is not telling people what not to think and write about, but rather what their choice of words should be.

[democritus]

10:41 PM on 03/18/2010

You nailed it. Someone should email this list to CNN.

[nexxtep54]

02:28 PM on 03/14/2010

Investigative reporting is alive and well on the net. . .and they cover what was hidden. See 4:14 into this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_ICauyyWs

[tanya1111]

12:00 PM on 03/14/2010

I just read those banned words and I fully agree they should all be banned.

[LastAngryWoman]

08:52 AM on 03/14/2010

At this point in time, it shouldn't come as a complete surprise that authorities, behind closed doors (but not bare naked), literally are speaking out on the fact of the matter, which is that it's time for a break from all these pedestrian phrases which are being utilized so often, it feels like a torrential rain.

Sources say this pedestrian language leaves some reeling from the senseless murder of the English language. You folks, going forward, deserve world class reporting and blogging; at this point in time, in a two to one margin, we have decided to give 110% percent, and in going forward, we will produce better work for our readers.

Not only is it a no brainer, but officials say it's a moot point.

Meanwhile, in our top story tonight, a gunman / motorist,. fleeing from police after allegations he was involved in a killing spree, is lucky to be alive in a medical hospital after an auto accident involving a pedestrian.

Stay tuned.

[SamKnause]

05:43 PM on 03/14/2010

Excellent !!!!!!

[TheGripester]

08:45 PM on 03/14/2010

So why aren't you getting paid by Huffington Post yet? Your comedy writing's on par with Borowitz (if not better).

[lwaxanatroi]

10:52 AM on 03/13/2010

Gee, this sounds scary and ominous. Forbidden words! Shades of George Carlin, not to mention that other George, the 1984 dude (oh, dear, is "not to mention" on the list?).

Friends, unbunch the knickers and click on the link. I for one would consider it the mother of all blessings if everybody writing or saying anything anywhere would commit this list to memory. The man is right: these empty phrases and pompous jargon locutions are an ear-sore. All he's asking is that his commentators speak something more akin to actual English than the usual cliche-ridden nonsense-speak.

If Sara Palin had to adhere to this list, she'd be speechless.

[rjmiller]

04:44 PM on 03/15/2010

If everyone adhered to the list, you also wouldn't be able to write "mother of all blessing."

However, I do agree with at least 75% of the list.

[GenXer]

08:23 AM on 03/13/2010

http://blogs.vocalo.org/feder/2010/03/memo-puts-wgn-news-staffers-at-a-loss-for-words/17374

Ridiculous is not on the list, but it has a lot of everday phrases.

[xsm941f]

11:36 PM on 03/12/2010

Is ridiculous one of the words?

[RobinSeattle]

07:41 PM on 03/12/2010

"You're a stupid head!"

"No, you're the stupid head!"

"If I am, then what are you?"

God, I just love the eloquence and deep philosophical dialogues I see from our media overlords. They're credits to their profession.

[Lakeview Greg]

04:34 PM on 03/12/2010

Michaels just painted a big target on himself for every single writer in the Chicago area. This word war should be very entertaining to watch.

:)

[John-in-Exile]

04:22 PM on 03/12/2010

OK, I've read the list now, and I'm on board with Randy Michaels. If his people adhere to these prohibitions they will sound as if they are capable of independent thought. The forbidden list is rife with drivel that makes listening to news very wearing, and brings the intelligence of the broadcasters into doubt. Good work, Randy!

[semoto]

11:38 AM on 03/14/2010

I have to agree with a lot of these words and phrases. They're overworked and, often, redundant. It wouldn't hurt to leave a few of them behind. Two I didn't see were "amidst" and "amongst," which are increasingly used instead of amid and among, making the speakers or writers should as if they think they're 19th century poets.

I also hate senseless murder. Is there any murder that isn't senseless?
Hero, icon, legendary. Used indiscriminately. Has a football player "hero" saved any lives?
At this point in time. Meaning what? Today? 2010? This decade?
Best kept secret. If it was actually a secret, you wouldn't be pointing out it's a secret, thus ruining the secret.
Complete surprise. As if there's a partial surprise?

Just a few of my pet peeves.

[TheGripester]

08:59 PM on 03/14/2010

It actually reminded me of Matt Groening's "List of Forbidden Words" from his Life in He// days.