So I think we’re all agreed – the modern journalist should be able to converse with their readers.
They should be able to handle a comment box, a tweet feed etc etc. They should be able to community build, take part in discussions, respect their readership.
A tech journalist, for example, should be able to talk tech – without reverting to calling people “you fucking morons“.
So witness this tirade from Tech Crunch contributor Milo Yiannopoulos:
Would you want to read this man? Would you want to employ this man? Would you want to work with this man?
I understand he’s taking part in the upcoming TEDx Liverpool event. Do you really want him there?
Is he trying to carve out a role as some kind of tech shock jock? Or is he just a wanker?
Earlier this week I had call to ask what all the #moonfruit tweets were about on Twitter. 
Turns out it was a promotion from a company of the same name that was giving away an Apple computer a day and all you had to do was add #moonfruit to your tweets.
Now, I don’t blame these guys. Smart marketing move – and as I write it’s the top trending topic on Twitter (#iranelection is 7th) so they got it right.
But people mindlessly typing in #moonfruit every few minutes?
Do you know this organisation? Do you know if they do good work? Do you care? Are you really happy to metaphorically reply uh huh okay as they yank your chain and wave Apple products under your nose?
So one free Mac a day? Just what are your chances of winning? How many #moonfruit tweets does it take hit number one in trends?
And just what wouldn’t you tweet for a freebie? How long before all tweets come to you…courtesy of #mcdonalds (tweet this and get a free quarter pounder). Where do you draw the line? Is your 140 characters for hire?
This is has got marketing bandwagon written all over it – they’re all so going to jump on this.
Before long every tweet will be squeezed up in order to hashtag another brand name at the end on the off chance of a free latte or new Barf Flavoured Coca Cola.
Hey we got a new way to talk about what *we* like for a change…oh hang on…Starbucks want me to give them a plug. Mmmm I got a mocha with extra hazelnut syrup. Ah well free speech – fun while it lasted.
This isn’t a charity. It’s people making money and fooling you into advertising their product.
Would you give these people an ad on your blog for the promise of being added to thousand to one draw for an iPod?
What is up with you people?
