Fan mail to PoHo: Screw you and the horse you rode in on
July 21, 2008 at 12:13 pm by Wayne GarciaToday’s digital stream of e-mails bring this criticism of my reporting about changes in Tampa Bay media:
Mr. Garcia:
I will be polite in commenting on your article referenced above. More polite than your backhanded reference to the “chubby doofus in the tropical shirt” during your comments on Tampa Bays’s 10 Citizen Journalist initiative.
In saying “more polite” then you will know that I’ve seen a picture of you…..so let’s leave the chubby part aside………although the man in the “picture” is far from that had you taken the time to watch the promo.
What upsets me more and where I find you most slanderous in your comments would be the “doofus” part. Again, had you taken a moment to find out who the man in the tropical shirt was, the word “doofus” would never have come to mind. The man you refer to is multi-award winning Photojournalist with a very long history of shooting, editing and turning out stories with the utmost professionalism. During the last 16 years he has worked throughout the south before settling in the Tampa area 6 years ago — earning multiple AP and SPJ awards, the distinguished Edward R. Morrow award and has reached the pinnacle of the Emmy Awards. “Doofus”? Hardly………not even close. Oh, and by the way? He’s a really, really nice guy.
The Citizens Journalist initiative is a sign of the times. While downsizing and the way we find our news changes constantly, this project is unique and special. The new Administrator of this program took a step away from the work he loves so much to head up this initiative because he believes it will be 150% successful and will bring the community into the world of journalism — not to replace the professionals at Tampa Bay’s 10 — but to bring in the views of smart, articulate people with the desire to be heard through their video clips. These people aren’t just in it for $20 bucks and free camera……..most simply want to be a part of something important.
Kudos to Tampa Bay’s 10 and the extremely talented man heading up the Citizens Journalist project. I, for one, cannot wait to see what the people of the Tampa Bay area have to show us.
Shame on you for passing judgment and making insulting comments on something you obviously took only a few seconds to investigate before print.
Anonymous
I responded to Anon that, as a chubby doofus myself, I felt more than qualified to make that call. In addition, my telephone call to the producer for Tampa Bay’s 10’s new Citizen Journalism initiative went unreturned.
