I recall the esteemed Michael Katz admonishing his soon-to-be former colleague, ?You have to decide which side you?re on??
?The lowest form of popular culture?lack of information, misinformation, disinformation, and a contempt for the truth or the reality of most people?s lives?has overrun real journalism. Today, ordinary Americans are being stuffed with garbage.??Carl Bernstein
Broadly speaking, journalists come in two sizes. I?m not referring to small and large. I?m alluding less to shape than intention. Journalists either question authority, on the assumption that the truth will never be spoken by those who have something to lose, or they become mouthpieces for the powerful so that access and the blandishments that come with it will be theirs for the taking.
Everything is a trade-off. Embracing an adversarial position, due to temperament, independence, or respect for one?s readers, instead of fawning obeisance, is a surefire way to get nowhere fast, unless of course it?s a scheme to attract attention for a hard-earned payoff down the line.
The latest writer turned wannabe power broker is Greg Leon, publisher of Boxing Talk, one of many boxing websites that trade in gossip instead of literacy. No one has taken Boxing Talk seriously for a long time, if ever, as it?s as uninteresting and it is unreadable. But when Leon first decided to dip his toe in the promotional waters a decade ago, I recall the esteemed Michael Katz, former boxing writer for the New York Times and Daily News, admonishing his soon-to-be former colleague, and I paraphrase, ?You have to decide which side you?re on.?
There?s nothing mysterious about Leon?s actions. Leon decided, as many before him have decided and others will decide in years to come, that his responsibility is to himself, and in turn his paymasters, and not to the fighters or sport on which they feed. But what is mysterious, or would be mysterious if were it not so transparent, is that he is being cheered on by a presumably serious journalist who, however earnest, ought to know better.
In celebration of Greg Leon becoming CEO of Jean Pascal Promotions, a well-known writer, speaking for God knows who, says, ?He gives hope to print guys, and web guys and Bronx residents.?
As far as Bronx residents are concerned, hope comes in small doses and maybe small doses are better than none. But the aforementioned ?print guys? and ?web guys? to which he is referring must be those on promoters? payrolls, those who?ve decided that free airfare, hotel suites, ringside seats, and all-you-can eat buffets are the outer limits of their profession and frankly their due.
The details of Leon?s new alliance are meaningful only insofar as envy is concerned. Responsible journalism would preclude singing his praises, but responsible journalism comes at a cost, a cost which is apparently too steep for some to contemplate.
