How much do you think Gawker is paying The Cajun Boy to post this at 7am?

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Yes exactly, what does it matter what you're getting paid? A good portion of Cajun's post seems to be concerned with what Mediaite may or may not be paying their bloggers. Pot meet kettle.

Gawker's ad department is their version of Abrams' consulting firm. Gawker's ad department bends over and spreads their legs for HBO and the Gawker editorial gets to watch as a fake website is shoved right along with 'legitimate' Gawker posts.

I enjoy Gawker but to put yourselves on some holier than thou pedestal that's above what Mediaite is doing is completely laughable.

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Also, Gawker writers are paid, so, that's the difference there. As for Mediaite writers' compensation, it isn't even clear at this point as to whether or not it actually exists, let alone how much it's going to be. Yeah, I'd call that a difference, and a newsworthy one at that.

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You can say it has been played out but that doesn't change the fact that it happened, and even after the editorial's protests, it was allowed to continue.

Mediaite hasn't even launched yet so to assume they would place any restrictions on what writers say about Abrams Research clients is speculation. We don't have to speculate on if there is a blurry line between editorial and advertising on Gawker because we already have evidence of it.

We've seen Gawker go from paying writers by the page view to taking away that money because the writers were actually receiving fair compensation. Do I really need to rehash all the complaints from ex-Gawker writers in regards to compensation or lack thereof? It's all well documented, I am sure you're not going to claim convenient ignorance of it.

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I can't speak for others' on compensation - whose views, you know I'm well aware of, but I'll speak for myself when I say I'm fine with what I'm getting*. Mind you, there was a time when Gawker writers weren't getting paid by the pageview. Also, I've got a paying job in media (two!) which is more than a bunch of unemployed media people can say, and I can assure you, there're plenty of bloodthirsty young upstarts who would happily take my gig(s)/paycheck(s) given the chance. But it's something, more than nothing, which is what They're offering.

Finally, you keep losing sight of the fact that Mediaite's going to be a commentator on issues their boss is "in the room" on, which ours' clearly isn't. [Or if he is - ha - he doesn't have a seperate business contingent upon it.]

*Speaking of getting paid, I can engage you in conversation about this further for $10/comment. I'm off the clock until tomorrow!

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