Extra Ericsson: Respect for Respectable Journalism Deteriorating
An untenable situation is developing- not just with the Flames, but those that cover them
The free press is under attack in an era where we’ve never needed truth more.
The credibility of journalists has been attacked by the highest offices, and the public that journalism intends to serve has seen hard-working reporters as paid political actors instead of impartial observers. Sadly, this has boiled over into violence in supposed advanced countries.
And even respected PHWA scribes are under fire in our own backyard. I see it myself whenever I check my Twitter notifications tab.
Not to pat myself on the back, but I am one of the strongest voices covering this team, and it's fascinating the lengths this fanbase will go to tear me down.
Let’s go back to Monday, when I accurately reported, based on my sources, that Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau had purchased two plane tickets to Philadelphia dated June 30th, 2022, a special ceremonial pen that he was going to use to sign with the Flyers the day he was no longer under contract with the Flames, and a custom #13 Flyers jersey with “Johnny Philly” on the back. This all indicated to me that Gaudreau was planning on signing with the Philadelphia Flyers and that the Flames needed to trade him.
I don’t think this was a ridiculous conclusion to make. I didn’t doubt my sources or ask them for more evidence - even if they weren’t factually correct, all the signs were there. I’d long suspected that the diminutive Gaudreau was aching for an exit ever since he signed his six-year deal with the Flames. I would be abandoning my PHWA duties if I didn’t report it.
Cue the pitchforks. The vitriol spewed by the dedicated fans is to be expected.
But from my own colleagues in the industry?
In case you didn’t tune in, my colleague (not naming names) brought other evidence to the table, such as Johnny Gaudreau’s own words. I could only see this as an attempt to embarrass me, which is frankly more embarrassing for the other party. Gaudreau might fool everyone with his aw-shucks character, but some of us (loyal, hard working PHWA members) are trained to see through it.
That might’ve been a bad way to start my week, but nobody likes Mondays (just an aside- have you guys read the Garfield comic strip? Hilarious!). The week was going to be better.
Rare miss from me.
In the effort to follow up on the NHL aspirations of Tilman Fertitta, Houston Rockets owner, I had to book a flight down to Houston to go straight to the source. In a frustrating display of both incompetence and an uncaring attitude towards their premium customers, I received this robotic reply:
Reprehensible. Journalists may catch coronavirus, but journalism can never get sick. I was mocked relentlessly for what some are calling a “meltdown.” For all the Flames fans complaining about ownership’s tight purse strings, it seems that they aren’t too interested in finding one with bigger pockets.
The final strike that prompted this diatribe was an out-of-the-blue mention of my name on Twitter. I’m guessing the disastrous 6-1 loss to the Senators had fans hot-blooded, and some chose to take their anger out on me:
First off, ask and ye shall receive.
Secondly, the only parody here is Johnathan Gaudreau, a mockery of what a first-line NHL winger actually is.
Now if you’ll need me, I’ll be transcribing podcasts.
You know, journalism.