#GAWKER VIDEO SERIES#
#GAWKER VIDEO CRACK#

The series received widespread coverage across the globe, transcending media audiences from the Telegraph, Atlantic, NPR, Huffington Post and Slate, among others. unemployment rates and their individual impact throughout America,” said Cook.Ĭook also cited Gawker’s famous investigation titled Unmasking a Troll, which exposed a man previously known only by his online persona ViolentAcrez. “We do many, many serious investigative pieces, including series that looked extensively at the Gaza War, Mitt Romney’s involvement in Bain Capital, and U.S. “It’s not exactly what you’re known for,” said Dvorkin, referring to extensive investigative pieces normally associated with established publications such as the New York Times and The New Yorker.īut Cook disagreed, citing several extensively-researched stories published on Gawker. Both Gawker and The Toronto Star maintained intense media coverage on Ford and his alleged drugs and alcohol abuse, despite the politician’s public claims to the contrary.ĭuring the spirited debate, Dvorkin expressed concern that Gawker might be shirking its responsibility to sufficiently cover all sides of certain stories. Gawker tried to buy the video but was unsuccessful.

The discussion raised several important issues about news gathering, especially in this 21st century age of newsroom cutbacks, changing media habits and technological shifts.Įxistence of the video was first reported in May, when reporters from Gawker and the Toronto Star said they had seen a clip of the video with Ford smoking from the pipe. The debate, hosted by the Canadian Journalism Foundation, took place in front of a capacity audience in downtown Toronto. Gawker’s goal was to raise money from the public to purchase a video depicting Ford smoking a substance believed to be crack.Ī few weeks ago, Gawker editor-in-chief John Cook appeared on stage to debate “Gawking, Gossip and Crowdfunding” with Dvorkin, a lecturer and program director of the University of Toronto Scarborough’s journalism program. The popular New York-based website garnered international attention earlier this year when it sponsored a controversial ‘Crackstarter’ fundraising campaign. Most people now get their news from screens, especially blogs such as , which feature a mix of hard news and celebrity gossip delivered with the irreverence of a class clown.

#GAWKER VIDEO CRACK#

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s stunning admission that he smoked crack cocaine is making headlines around the world.Īlong with the news value of the mayor of Canada’s largest city admitting to using illegal drugs comes a lesson in the evolving values and conflicts of new and traditional media, says University of Toronto's Jeffrey Dvorkin.

Gawker video