Full disclosure here: I hate E$PN.
I seldom watch anything they have to offer anymore and, at this point, I am just as happy getting the the majority of my sports news from the internet or some other lower-profile sports affiliate. E$PN no longer fits the bill, in my humble opinion, and I just as soon find another network that can do the same thing with less pinheads, for less profit, and with less of an agenda than does E$PN.
That said, it's hard to get away from the "Worldwide Leader" as they are as much a brand as they are a network. So, when I discovered that they were going to make an attempt at reclaiming some of their legitimacy as a credible news network, it was a pleasant surprise.
According to this press release, E$PN has teamed up with the Poynter Institute (one of the nation's leading schools for journalists and journalistic practices) to "review ESPN content across all platforms and publicly comment on ESPN's efforts. This will include monthly essays and additional timely responses as issues arise. The group also will address fan concerns during its 18-month tenure".
In other words, E$PN is looking to the Poynter Institute to assess what they are doing right and wrong as a network.
While, again, that's admirable on the part of E$PN, they have always been privy to such a watchdog. I guess the Poynter Institute is thought to be a better equipped, more distinguished group for them to attach this task too—sort of like 'E.F. Hutton' in the 80's.
Poynter will be expected to give the network a more in-depth analysis of how they can better disseminate information to the masses without compromising their journalistic integrity (excuse me while I go laugh in a corner on that last point) or alienating entire fanbases—that last point is just speculation on my part.
Again, I applaud E$PN's attempt to return to the days when they truly were innovating and leading the way, but, in my opinion, they have concerned themselves too much with being a "brand" to actually be believable—simply too little, too late.
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