Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

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#1
If you subscribe to this magazine, you may want to be aware of this.

What level of influence do advertisers have over journalistic integrity?
Apparently, money is king and truth is the king's bitch.

http://jalopnik.com/5582380/how-the-truth-about-motorcycle-helmets-got-a-journalist-fired

<span style="font-style: italic">Dexter Ford was a three-decades-long veteran of Motorcyclist, a motorcycle enthusiast magazine, until he was fired in September. Now, recently-revealed email exchanges indicate he was canned after a motorcycle helmet story he wrote for The New York Times angered advertisers.

A series of email exchanges published yesterday by MC24.no appear to indicate that Motorcyclist fired Dexter Ford, a contributing editor who had been with the magazine for three decades, after a story he wrote for The New York Times angered the magazine's advertisers.</span>

That's right. The story was for another publication. It didn't even run in the magazine.
 
#3
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

Mike, I have to agree on this one. A good labor attorney who can handle a wrongful termination action.
 
#4
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

Just another rag that is part of the propaganda machine we call our mass media. Unbiased it is not.

Contact Donut here if you want more info on how it works.
 
#5
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

That magazine is garbage anyway. It's the bike version of Car & Driver.

However, now days everybody buys themselves awards like the JD Power award. You simple pay for it.
 
#7
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

You're be surprised the ways people try to influence you, especially if you write reviews.

It's doesn't take but a single line to bend the nose of most people, and they will fight back with money or by removing it. You'll get billed as being unfriendly to companies, that you are biased, etc. I can see where they can effect the bottom line with a magazine, who aren't fairing as well as they used to.

Even when you are not trying to piss people off, you can unleash an attack upon yourself in an instant. Look at that thing with LaRue here a couple months back. I originally never set out making it a comparison between his product and the GDI mount, but someone asked me a legitimate questions and I gave an honest answer. That started pages of attacks, and he went so far as to call RO to "warn" them about keeping me in line. To this day there are still issues, all because of a 1 line... if people, especially ones with influence want, they can make it get really ugly, really fast.

I am lucky, I can pick and choose and most people like the fact I try to be as unbiased as humanly possible. I can tell you the recent Suppressor comparisons have been well received, both by companies and individuals alike... so it can be done, but for every one, there is going to be something completely ugly and opposite.
 
#8
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're be surprised the ways people try to influence you, especially if you write reviews.

It's doesn't take but a single line to bend the nose of most people, and they will fight back with money or by removing it. You'll get billed as being unfriendly to companies, that you are biased, etc. I can see where they can effect the bottom line with a magazine, who aren't fairing as well as they used to.

Even when you are not trying to piss people off, you can unleash an attack upon yourself in an instant. Look at that thing with LaRue here a couple months back. I originally never set out making it a comparison between his product and the GDI mount, but someone asked me a legitimate questions and I gave an honest answer. That started pages of attacks, and he went so far as to call RO to "warn" them about keeping me in line. To this day there are still issues, all because of a 1 line... if people, especially ones with influence want, they can make it get really ugly, really fast.

I am lucky, I can pick and choose and most people like the fact I try to be as unbiased as humanly possible. I can tell you the recent Suppressor comparisons have been well received, both by companies and individuals alike... so it can be done, but for every one, there is going to be something completely ugly and opposite.</div></div>

I do appreciate your unbiased reviews. Many companies only want writers to only write glowing reviews of their product, when actually it may turn off some buyers. I like to hear the good and bad about a product before I throw down my money. The negative part of any review does not necessarily effect if I buy it or not as long as it is qualified. If I'm looking for a truck and the review just says the truck is "junk", I'm not going to put a lot of stock in the authors opinion. If they say it's junk because the transmission shifts horribly, the engine is weak, and the 4wd doesn't work I'd look for other options. If they say it's junk because it can't run a quarter in 10 seconds flat, but it's otherwise a quality truck, I wouldn't be swayed by the speed of the truck. I guess one advantage to a person who reviews products and offers honest reviews is that companies that sell junk will stay clear of having you review their products. I'd think reviewing junk day in and day out would get depressing.
 
#13
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

Guns and Ammo is fine for the Ammo, and a few of the guns, just to see the newest stuff out. We all know writers will write what they will if they are straight. G&A just isn't the same with the new last page though as back in the day when Colonel Cooper held court on that page.
Anyone who receives free stuff has that good ol boy unwritten accountability that they will write nice words about the product in question.

On Topic: Bike helmets are a pipe dream for survival. They will or will not work to save a life depending on the strike, angle, speed, blah blah blah. It's still a 50:50 chance and is no greater a chance that riding without a helmet, Snell or otherwise qualified. I like them because they keep rain or rocks out of my face on the highway at speed. I have seen enough motorcycle riders killed or injured with or without a helmet just the same. They are basically a box to keep a broken head in on impact and if so make a nice puddle instead of a splash Snell, DOT or otherwise
 
#15
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

Forums have pretty much relegated magazines to toiler fodder for me. At least in the forums, you get a pretty good idea of who the players are and who the fans are.

I'd say forums as a whole (in any hobby) have taken seat front and center. The information is immediate, there's no "subscription" and less unwanted advertising.
 
#16
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

I'm truly saddened to say I'm not even a little bit surprised. In a country where a professor can be booted from a university for properly using the word "niggardly", it seems obvious that we've reached a point at which literacy and journalistic integrity are now considered liabilities.

Heck, even the so-called "ad-free" mags don't give a truly accurate evaluation. Their reviews are generally based on a sample size of one...all that tells anyone is that any company can make one good or one bad example of a product.

And sometimes companies send hand-picked items to writers to ensure a favorable article. Auto manufacturers used to be notorious for slipping car mags "tuned" cars for their reviews.
 
#17
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Switchblade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guns and Ammo is fine for the Ammo, and a few of the guns, just to see the newest stuff out. We all know writers will write what they will if they are straight. G&A just isn't the same with the new last page though as back in the day when Colonel Cooper held court on that page.
Anyone who receives free stuff has that good ol boy unwritten accountability that they will write nice words about the product in question.

On Topic: Bike helmets are a pipe dream for survival. They will or will not work to save a life depending on the strike, angle, speed, blah blah blah. It's still a 50:50 chance and is no greater a chance that riding without a helmet, Snell or otherwise qualified. I like them because they keep rain or rocks out of my face on the highway at speed. I have seen enough motorcycle riders killed or injured with or without a helmet just the same. They are basically a box to keep a broken head in on impact and if so make a nice puddle instead of a splash Snell, DOT or otherwise </div></div>

Spoken like a typical Harley guy. Please, helmets work. Don't get me wrong, if one is doing 125 miles per hour and hits a tree, car, wall, etc. a helmet isn't doing shit. What about slower speeds? What about head first smacks just tipping over at a light? It happens more than you think. Christ, look at the poor people that trip and fall at home, smack their head and die from it. It happened to Barry Sheene, one of the greatest road racers of all time.
Wearing a helmet can save your life. I've worked in the motorcycle industry over 13 years, raced bikes of all kind, gone real fast and crashed, and have gone a lot slower and crashed too. I am very happy to have been wearing a helmet every time. My last crash, while flat track racing was only about 50 mph. I was wearing my Arai helmet and hit head first; knocked me out and rung my bell pretty good. Walked away pretty sore and with a slight concussion. I know without a helmet would have been at best eating through a straw, probably worse. I am glad I wore my Arai and didn't choose a cheap helmet just for a quick race. There is definitely a difference.
Stop drinking the Harley Kool-Aid; since those things barely break 100 you'll need your helmet
smile.gif
 
#18
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

"Stop drinking the Harley Kool-Aid;since those things barley break 100 you'll need your helmet"Well you really do not know Harleys or their riders do you.I agree with Switchblade If wearing a toilet with a window in it helps you feel all safe and sound fine.I did a head plant thru a windsheild at 50 and was wearing a beanie helmet walked away with a headache nothing more.Point is they don't make you bullet proof even your arai can snap your neck when you bounce.And as far as Harleys being slow PLEASE they held a strangle hold on flat track till honda and the other jap crap made the AMA make Harley run restrictor plates(check your history) and I have a softail springer that was built in my shop that beat everybody down the dragon for years(6 races 1 day). It's amazing what make some people feel safe. As far as the writer chances are it's the first time he told the truth and he lost his job for it. Ain't that a bitch
Scot
 
#20
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"Stop drinking the Harley Kool-Aid;since those things barley break 100 you'll need your helmet"Well you really do not know Harleys or their riders do you.I agree with Switchblade If wearing a toilet with a window in it helps you feel all safe and sound fine.I did a head plant thru a windsheild at 50 and was wearing a beanie helmet walked away with a headache nothing more.Point is they don't make you bullet proof even your arai can snap your neck when you bounce.And as far as Harleys being slow PLEASE they held a strangle hold on flat track till honda and the other jap crap made the AMA make Harley run restrictor plates(check your history) and I have a softail springer that was built in my shop that beat everybody down the dragon for years(6 races 1 day). It's amazing what make some people feel safe. As far as the writer chances are it's the first time he told the truth and he lost his job for it. Ain't that a bitch
Scot </div></div>

Calm down tough guy, it was a joke. I understand Harley's know their way around a flat track. That was not the point of my post.
When you went through that windshield did your beanie get scratched? If so, that could have been your head. As for helmets breaking your neck? That's bullshit. A good, light, strong helmet will barely be noticed and it damn sure won't snap your neck because you wore it.
Nice job on beating a few squids on your softail by the way.
 
#21
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">On Topic: Bike helmets are a pipe dream for survival. They will or will not work to save a life depending on the strike, angle, speed, blah blah blah. It's still a 50:50 chance and is no greater a chance that riding without a helmet, Snell or otherwise qualified. I like them because they keep rain or rocks out of my face on the highway at speed. I have seen enough motorcycle riders killed or injured with or without a helmet just the same. They are basically a box to keep a broken head in on impact and if so make a nice puddle instead of a splash Snell, DOT or otherwise</div></div>

I've been riding since I was 8 years old and riding on the street (Harleys only, from day one) since I was 18, and I'm now 46, have raced motocross and a little bit of WERA and have been in two 1%er bike clubs ... so I know a <span style="font-style: italic">little </span>bit about them. I hate helmets, I hate being told I have to wear helmets, and what passes for a helmet today can be a joke. But your post is beyond ridiculous and so unbelievably incorrect I wouldn't know where to begin.

Oh ... and Harleys <span style="font-style: italic">are </span>slow and loud and noisy in the rockerbox and old Shovels were undependable and all that other crap. But nothing looks as cool sailing over the blacktop. I like to arrive in style.
laugh.gif
 
#22
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

To point the OT subject of helmets: I have seen my share of dead motorcyle riders with helmets on. They only saved the skull from splitting wide open but still split either sideways(my best friend) or down the basic structure lines. Fact is it just doeasn't matter either way. If your head smacking hardball is going to kill you it will or it won't. As to not breaking 100, get a life bro, mine does 130 easy, has seen a buck 50, and has more ready to go in her(top speed geared to 175 flat out on asphalt). I don't drink no kool aid, and I dang sure don't fall to anyone's slipery slope arguments or propaganda son. I deal in facts and fact is a helmet will, or won't work. It's a 50:50 thing regardless of helmet type. Only helmet that works is the damn MICH in Combat, THAT is proven fact.

TOPIC: Magazines are pure propaganda machines. They are able to be printed only because of advertising dollars and the fact that you and I buy them from time to time. If Bob Remington gives them a new rifle and says write good things, they will write whatever, but the copy editor will make it look good so Bob Remington pays the bill next month. That is how it works
 
#23
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brian K. Sain</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"If you are going to tell the truth ... better keep one foot in the stirrup".

Old West saying ... </div></div>

I like that one! Puts me in mind of the Orwell quote from "1984":

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."
 
#25
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Only helmet that works is the damn MICH in Combat, THAT is proven fact.</div></div>

Proven only in the Bizarro World in which <span style="font-style: italic">you </span>reside.

Back to subject at hand ...

I think everyone knows product reviews in any industry magazine is a bad joke. I can even remember an IT magazine/blog fawning over the Windows ME operating system when it came out. Windows ME was so slow and buggy not even Microsoft tried to patch it, they just took it off the market after six months. There was a joke going around at the time: Did you know that if you play the Windows ME CD backwards there's a message from Satan about the coming world domination of evil? But even worse, if you play it forward it installs Windows ME!
laugh.gif


The only writers telling the truth about firearms or motorcycles or operating systems are the fully independent, mostly amateur bloggers. Everyone else is just a shill.
 
#26
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Switchblade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To point the OT subject of helmets: I have seen my share of dead motorcyle riders with helmets on. They only saved the skull from splitting wide open but still split either sideways(my best friend) or down the basic structure lines. Fact is it just doeasn't matter either way. If your head smacking hardball is going to kill you it will or it won't. As to not breaking 100, get a life bro, mine does 130 easy, has seen a buck 50, and has more ready to go in her(top speed geared to 175 flat out on asphalt). I don't drink no kool aid, and I dang sure don't fall to anyone's slipery slope arguments or propaganda son. I deal in facts and fact is a helmet will, or won't work. It's a 50:50 thing regardless of helmet type. Only helmet that works is the damn MICH in Combat, THAT is proven fact.

Jeeesh. Can't talk sense with this one. Oh well, can't expect much from a guy who's dick gets hard watching a video of Marines and listening to terrible music.




TOPIC: Magazines are pure propaganda machines. They are able to be printed only because of advertising dollars and the fact that you and I buy them from time to time. If Bob Remington gives them a new rifle and says write good things, they will write whatever, but the copy editor will make it look good so Bob Remington pays the bill next month. That is how it works </div></div>
 
#27
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

My best friend was killed with a good Arai helmet on when he was broadsided by a pick up doing 25 - 30 in hawaii. He struck the ground and his head was split from ear to ear. The female passenger was lucky because she was not wearing a helmet and died instantly. He lived long enough to make it to the hospital DOA, helmet still on because the medis didn't want to remove it.
I hit the deck at 40+ mph, nothing on my head but a nice pair of wrap sunglasses. Closed Head Injury with years of Post Concussive Syndrome. I could have just as easily been killed but wasn't. Another good friemd was wearing a DOT/SNELL half helmet, got bumoed by a car, ran his bike off the road adn hit a stop sign adn has spent the better part of two years just recovering to a point where he can stand and walk for a few hours and hold a resonable conversation. So much for wearing a helmet.
The MICH helmet has stopped 7.62x39 rounds in Iraq and Afghanistan along with several pounds of shrapnel. Some don't, some do. It's a 50:50 propasition at best, helmet on or off and you know it. As to bizarro worlds, you my friend are dead center of it if you are anywhere near Fort Bragg where they tell you a colored vest will save your life, or riding correctly with the base Riders Club(Shankster City Girls) with all their textile armor and shiny chrome
grin.gif
Remember this rider, you go to give it to get it and it is sometimes earned or given as a courtesy, adn it's opposite is never tolerated among those who ride thousands of miles a year

If you want close to objective on motorcycle news, MCN does a fair job of it
 
#28
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

Used to be the editor of one of the big gun magazines. Saw a lot of things there which troubled me, especially the influence of the ad department. After I left, I turned to writing freelance for a while instead of getting a real job.

Was given the job to review a bad Sig 226 clone. I wrote that the gun had a few good points, and was priced competitively, but that is was a real disaster in several key ares. By the time that article reached print, it read as though this was one of the world's best combat auto pistols. What's more, that issue contained a nice big ad from the importer. Imagine that!
 
#29
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

"I hit the deck at 40+ mph, nothing on my head but a nice pair of wrap sunglasses. Closed Head Injury with years of Post Concussive Syndrome."

This explains a lot.
 
#30
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

cr149,

Maybe, just maybe, you two know each other and really enjoy giving each other a hard time.

Then again, maybe, just maybe, you haven't got a clue who it is your spouting off about.

I'm leaning towards the latter.

First off, Switch does NOT need anyone defending him. His reputation, respect, and wealth of knowledge which has been earned and contributing over the years has negated that need.

Practically none of which can be said for you. In the essence of "self-policing", I suggest that you reel back, pay attention, or just plain fade off into the shadows.



As I understand it, the crap that your attempting to stir is exactly one of the problems that is starting to come out, here on the 'Hide.

What say you all?
 
#31
Re: Motorcyclist Mag Writer Fired for Being Truthful

I don't know this new member from jack or shit Sean.

crl, you have a PM. Our further business is now offline and not under preview herein

To all who know me, I have worked God Damn hard to get my TBI issues taken care of through a long process and am proud to say I have it fairly well under control at this point in time.

I know a few things. One, helmets are only a 50:50 chance. Life is a 50:50 chance as well. Walking across the street and falling into a gutter to bang your head could kill you on a bad day.
Two, any magazine that deals with guns, bikes, or vehicles will edit whatever an author writes to fit it's needs



So the bike thing goes to straight facts.
We have helmet vs non helmet, and someone tossed in for some reason, Harley vs other

I'll ignore anything that does not show a fact basis and has no reference quote. Some people are too stuck in the helemt that maybe the padding squeezed their head too much
 
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