As for embargoes I think more and more will be kept kind of like the vibe and matrix last week. the automakers just won’t let it out.

As you know, I have an industry background, not a journalistic background so sometimes I might be missing a little bit of that killer instinct that some of my fellow online journos have. I try to do whatever feels right in any given case.

One simple question: why?

And no, I don’t refill the tank. But we do mention the gas “donated” at the bottom review. Or at least we did, back when we used to get press cars…

Now I have a question…Do you all return press fleet vehicles with a full tank? Personally, I just think it’s good manners. That said I’m dreading the cost of filling the Aspen I’m driving next week!

–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org

I think embargoes should go out the window period yes. That would be my ideal world. If someone gets the spy photos that’s one thing, but all official information and photos should be sent out at the same time to everyone to digest and publish.

Why I don’t do it is because it is more of a news planning aspect more than anything. And I like the time to be accurate. Call folks for clarification, or heaven forbid ask a question of a guy on the show floor.

3. Yes I was kidding.

4. Yes, there should be a practical aspect to them if they exist.

Cars.com takes no trips. we pay our own way. we pay for our own gas (return them on full) for fleet cars etc. I would hazard a guess that besides CR we’re probably the most ardent about that of the big sites.

Dave:

I apologize for not keeping up with your brilliant career. And I’m delighted that cars.com has both a diligent, loyal scribe on board and a “strict editorial policy.” I assume that means no junkets or freebies of any kind without full disclosure of an automaker’s entire contribution to any and all reports, yes?

Anyway, back to the fray…

1. I was under the impression you were against anyone breaking an embargo; or at least endorsing the idea of a news embargo. Are you telling me/us that it’s OK for an enthusiast site to break an embargo but cars.com won't because … they don't have to? I’m not sure I understand the distinction, but if you’re saying it’s OK for some publication, just not us, well, that’s something anyway. Is that the case?

2. Who does? Again, how does not breaking an embargo on official info detract from your desire for– or ability to achieve– editorial accuracy?

3. Again, huh? How does respecting an embargo embolden you? Are you being ironic?

4. Oh brother. So an embargo helps you. Great. At the risk of offending you– a writer whose talents, energy and expertise I admire– it’s not all about you. Editorial policies should be designed for the good of the reader, not the publication. If you have to burn the midnight oil not to get burned on a hot story, well, get on with it.

And lastly, you are being disigenious. I am not claiming that calling a carmaker for clarification puts you in their pocket. We’re talking here about editorial embargos, which do.

You misunderstood what I said originally as well. I actually think all the info and photos should be released very close to the embargo time, if not on the minute. But you still need time to write and resize photos etc. Just the workload to get the information out takes time. I’ve worked with many automakers on that but it seems like the only thing they’ve decided works is waiting until the very last second before giving out the info. So it’s whoever is the fastest typer, photoshop expert gets the story out first. Which is fine, but to me reduces quality.

We don’t take anything from the automakers and have a strict editorial policy here so I don’t think we can really be attacked for being cozy with automakers just because we call them up to clarify statements in press releases to make sure information to our users is accurate.

[Mr. Thomas was a writer for TTAC back in the late Mesozoic period, and currently works over at Winding Road.]

1. I’m not quite sure how breaking an automaker’s embargo reduces the quality of the info released, or even if that’s particularly important. (I reckon every blog and site are responsible for the accuracy of their editorial.) Anyway, what we’re speaking about here is news organizations such as your own holding onto official (accurate?) information at the automaker’s behest. It creates a cozy little arrangement between automaker and publication. How is that good journalism?

2. I’m confused. Are you saying that breaking an embargo reveals some kind of financially-related moral/ethical weakness on the part of the embargo breaker? Surely trying to get out front with a story is as good for consumers as it is for the publication involved. And what’s wrong with making a buck? Don’t tell me that Winding Road is run as a public service.

3. Huh? It’s OK to embargo test drives because it’s difficult for the automaker to get all news outlets into the seat of a new car in a timely if not synchronized fashion? Explain why I, the publisher of an automotive website, should care whether or not an automaker has a tough time co-ordinating their press, PR and launch campaigns.

4. What can I say? I’m shocked– genuinely taken aback– by this statement about your personal priorities.

1. They do serve the reader in one way. They’re actually getting official, fully informed information. When it’s leaked, broken etc, some of the sites that run with it don’t have the actual release, they’re going off of what’s on a blog etc. How does that serve a reader or consumer? Not well. Not good journalism.

2. There is only one reason publications break embargoes. Traffic. Meaning Money. You name the site that’s why they’re doing it. you’re making a point on this site but still I doubt you’ll argue with the bump in traffic.

3. You’re thinking the automotive industry can move on an instant. Reviewing a new CD is a lot easier to get out to thousands of journalists than a new Malibu. Logistically that is a reality you can’t argue with. Electronic images and press releases are a different story. I think you will see many more vehicles this year not being released to anyone until the midnight embargo and that leads me to #4.

4. As an automotive journalist the embargo breakers are forcing ME to stay up until midnight to do my job and serve my readers. Screw that.

Fun podcast. Thanks, guys

I think the Mexican-Elmo-GM-shill voice should be a weekly feature.