Hi there,
Hodinkee has had over the years some wonderfully interesting content.
However, all institutions wielding power need scrutiny, because as the saying goes, "absolute power corrupts absolutely".
While
@lethalwl is definitely a "writer," I take exception to the use of the word "reporter", or "journalist"
The use of that term implies the core mission is to bear witness and describe (ie "report") events as they happen.
However Hodinkee are a market
player which makes money from the sale and marketing of watches.
1/ Louis' LinkedIn Profile lists his title as "Director of Watch Sales at HODINKEE"
.
Louis Westphalen | Professional Profile - LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-westphalen - Traduire cette page
New York, New York - Director of Watch Sales at HODINKEE, Inc. - HODINKEE, Inc.
2/ He gave an interview in that capacity to a Swiss newspaper (Le Temps de Genève) as recently as June 21
https://www.letemps.ch/economie/2017/06/21/hodinkee-bien-plus-quun-simple-blog-horloger
The article entitled
«Hodinkee is much more than a horology blog" cites him as director of watch sales,
highlights his MBA background, and the whole thrust of the piece is to highlight Hodinkee's identity as a sales site, an event organizer, and partner to major watch brands for the design and launch of certain products.
Selling what you write about is NOT journalism or being a "reporter".
In fact it flies in the face of the most basic principles of journalism, and calling Hodinkee writers "reporters" or "journalists" is an insult to those who practice that profession for reasons and causes other than financial gain.
While the practice of journalism today is no longer what it used to be at the Washington Post during the Watergate era, there are more journalists than ever who put their lives at risk in war zones and die trying to inform the public or to document injustices in their countries. (as a matter of fact, several died in Mossul just three weeks ago).
To be fair and as
@CajunTiger points out many outlets and publications blur the lines, but Hodinkee has squarely crossed the rubicon.
There's nothing wrong with financial gain, but you can't have your cake and eat it.
Don't call yourself a reporter if you're a sales person.
