Joel at Gizmodo just posted that he’s being flown to Germany for the upcoming CeBit show. His flight and accommodation is being paid for by Siemens. This is just another example of how blogging can bring other non monetary perks. Joel writes of the details for transparency’s sake:
‘Siemens offered to pay for my flight and hotel at CeBit, which I thought was pretty nice of them, especially since I wouldn’t have been able to go otherwise. They seem pretty progressive about the whole thing, really, saying they had considered setting up their own press outlet during the show, but thought it would be easier just to show Gizmodo what they were launching and get it out there. I accepted their offer, of course, so I thought it was important to let you guys know the details. We’ve got no agreement to treat them with kid gloves, so I’ll be as objectively off-the-cuff and misguided as usual.’
I’m sure Joel will receive some criticism for his decision to take up this offer but I don’t really have a problem with it if he’s being open with the fact that they are paying his expenses. If his readership keeps this in mind they can filter out any bias that may or may not end up in the commentary Joel does on Siemens products at CeBit.
Read more about it at Gizmodo Germany: CeBIT Bound : Gizmodo
Update – As one would expect, not all bloggers agree with Gizmodo’s acceptance of Siemens offer – in particularly Weblogs Inc top guy Jason Calacanis has a few things to say on it and sheds a little more light on what else Gizmodo might have been asked to do in order to get the CeBit deal. And Nick responds.
Maybe its time we got Nick and Jason in a room to beat the hell out of each other for a while til they get it all out of their systems?
Funny… I just posted an entry that touches on this topic.
Siemens l��t Blogger zur Cebit einfliegen.
Meines Erachtens ein fairer Deal – sie bekommen jetzt Aufmerksamkeit, sie bekommen Aufmerksamkeit f�r ihre Produkte (die sonst vielleicht ein wenig untergangen w�ren) und sie w�ren mit dem Klammerbeutel gepudert gewesen, ihm eine andere Berichterstattu…
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