1032
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] angleangel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 164 points 1 month ago

A Reddit spokesperson, who requested that The Verge not use their name due to the sensitive subject matter

What the fuck is this? We’re granting corporate spokespeople anonymity now?

[-] Ulrich@feddit.org 87 points 1 month ago

You give it to whoever asks for it or you never get another source again.

[-] angleangel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 36 points 1 month ago

This isn’t a “source”. This is a corporate spokesperson

[-] MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net 31 points 1 month ago

Was this corporate spokesperson authorized to talk to this outlet about this topic? Just because they're a spokesperson doesn't mean they can talk freely.

[-] angleangel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 month ago

Yes, that’s what a spokesperson is. Did you read the article? If it was a leak that would have been stated.

[-] Ulrich@feddit.org 25 points 1 month ago
[-] subignition@piefed.social 10 points 1 month ago

Even though it's a corporate spokesperson, they wouldn't have requested anonymity if they were allowed to talk about it...

[-] roguetrick@lemmy.world 14 points 1 month ago

Untrue. Reddit employees doing what their bosses tell them to are justifiably afraid of the blowback. Reminds me of the directive to not wear Reddit branding with the 3rd party app thing These folks don't want targets on their back.

[-] r8KNzcU8TzCroexsE2xbWC@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 month ago

That’s not what they do according to their own ethics statement

https://www.theverge.com/ethics-statement

[-] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 1 month ago

I'm not reading that. What are you saying?

[-] multiplewolves@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Take the link and scroll down to the section titled “ON BACKGROUND”

Edit: I never learn how to not try to be helpful to hostile commenters. I’m legit just trying to clarify or explain.

I tried to help someone who prefaced their confusion with an assertion that they were unwilling to read the linked material. This one’s on me, I guess.

[-] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I still don't get it. Nothing there says a spokesperson is not a source. Which is good because saying such a thing would make absolutely no sense.

I’m legit just trying to clarify or explain.

Don't know what makes you label me as "hostile", I'm legit just trying to understand.

they were unwilling to read the linked material

It's like 12 paragraphs of non-sense. The person who looked it up and shared the link could just as easily have copied and shared the relevant portion.

[-] multiplewolves@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

A corporate spokesperson spoke to them “on background”. A “corporate communications professional speaking to [them] in [their] official capacity“ has the option detailed in that section to request anonymity while being quoted.

There must have been an agreement between The Verge and the corporate representative to speak without being identified beyond their affiliation with the company, as described In the section titled “on background”.

[-] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Once again, none of this contradicts what I said.

[-] multiplewolves@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

“Nothing there said the spokesperson is not a source”

They said in their statements that they wouldn’t identify a corporate spokesperson as a “source familiar”. That language — corporate spokesperson — is intended to avoid describing the representative as an actual “source” in the sense of identifying them as a leak.

[-] Chozo@fedia.io 41 points 1 month ago

Uhh, isn't that kinda against the whole point of being a spokesperson in the first place? To put a name and a face behind a message?

Dunno why The Verge plays along.

[-] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 20 points 1 month ago

Because The Verge wants them to return their calls. It's not like it matters. Spokespeople aren't the ones making decisions. It's the C-suits, which is publicly available.

[-] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

Actually, yeah. Otherwise, you fuck up whistleblowing. They could be in the position, realize what's happening is wrong, be documenting it, trying to get out, etc...

[-] angleangel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago

Are you seriously suggesting there is no way to grant whistleblowers anonymity without granting it to corporate spokespeople providing statements on behalf of the company? You’re a fucking idiot

this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2025
1032 points (100.0% liked)

Technology

68723 readers
3034 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related news or articles.
  3. Be excellent to each other!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, this includes using AI responses and summaries. To ask if your bot can be added please contact a mod.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed
  10. Accounts 7 days and younger will have their posts automatically removed.

Approved Bots


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS