David Geithner in gay escort scandal - and Gawker nailed? (1 Viewer)

[General Tso]

There's a controversy brewing in media circles about Gawker publishing an article about Conde Nast CFO David Geither (the brother of Obama's ex Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner) getting caught up with a gay prostitute and ensuing extortion attempt. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gawker-conde-nast-david-geithner_55a90c56e4b0c5f0322d0b2c

Geithner is married to a woman and has three kids. He set up a rendezvous with a gay porn star and paid him $2,500. The prostitute found out who he was and tried to get Geithner to help him resolve a legal dispute he was having. Geithner got spooked and backed out of the rendezvous, though he still paid him in full. The prostitute, apparently miffed, called Gawker with the story and they ran with it.

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay. As many of you know I am a staunch advocate for gay and transgender rights. I basically feel like everyone should be treated equally. And in this case, equality means being subject to the same invasive press that everyone else is subject to. Hard to argue that this isn't a news story, particularly given that this guy is the CFO of a major company. When you engage in illegal activities like this, and allow yourself to be the subject of extortion attempts, it's news.

I'm interested to hear what others think. Should Gawker have published this story?

 

[UniAlias]

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE. THANKS OBAMA.

 

[dozer]

LAMESTREAM MEDIA!!!!!

 

[Cliff Clavin]

UNCHURCHED LEFTISTS!!!!!

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay.

You are missing the key issue of this story: David Geither is not a public figure, which means that Gawker can be held to a much higher journalistic standard (re: libel) when reporting a story about him. That is the sole reason why the story was pulled.

This story has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, or Hollywood.

 

[General Tso]

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay.

You are missing the key issue of this story: David Geither is not a public figure, which means that Gawker can be held to a much higher journalistic standard (re: libel) when reporting a story about him. That is the sole reason why the story was pulled.

This story has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, or Hollywood.

You're right - that is a key aspect as to whether it is newsworthy or not. But non-public figures are in the news all the time. Just turn on the evening news and you'll see a story about some poor Joe Shmoe getting busted for prostitution.The Liberal bias is an important aspect of this story as well. It was even highlighted in the Huff Post article linked in the OP.

 

[Fennis]

Mega dittos

 

[avoiding injuries]

Gawker is a gossip site. I don't think they're worried about a higher journalistic standard.

They got pressured, pulled the article, it divided the staff and now they're trying to unionize.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay.

You are missing the key issue of this story: David Geither is not a public figure, which means that Gawker can be held to a much higher journalistic standard (re: libel) when reporting a story about him. That is the sole reason why the story was pulled.

This story has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, or Hollywood.

You're right - that is a key aspect as to whether it is newsworthy or not. But non-public figures are in the news all the time. Just turn on the evening news and you'll see a story about some poor Joe Shmoe getting busted for prostitution.

David Geither was not busted for prostitution. He was not busted for anything.

That's why Gawker is in trouble.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Gawker is a gossip site. I don't think they're worried about a higher journalistic standard.

They got pressured, pulled the article, it divided the staff and now they're trying to unionize.

They were trying to unionize long before this.

 

[Tom Servo]

The bigger issue is that Conde Nast is the parent company of Reddit. Gawker media has been running hit pieces on Reddit for over 2 weeks over their racist subforums and the fact that their mods' actions led to the forcing out of their CEO, by all accounts someone who's been failing upwards for sometime now.

The timing of the latest hit piece does Gawker no favors.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

If Gawker/deadspin and Grantland both go belly up at the same time, the survivors could combine into a great combo site

Deadgawkerland.com.

 

[squistion]

Gawker and other liberal rags

Why do you keep referring to Gawker as being liberal? Their content is mostly celebrity and media industry gossip, that doesn't make it liberal.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Gawker and other liberal rags

Why do you keep referring to Gawker as being liberal? Their content is mostly celebrity and media industry gossip, that doesn't make it liberal.

lol

 

[cstu]

Geez, can't a guy pick up a male prostitute in peace?

 

[Chadstroma]

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay.

You are missing the key issue of this story: David Geither is not a public figure, which means that Gawker can be held to a much higher journalistic standard (re: libel) when reporting a story about him. That is the sole reason why the story was pulled.

This story has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, or Hollywood.

I agree.

But thinking through this... is this at all different from when municipalities publish arrests in prostitution stings?

 

[Chadstroma]

Geez, can't a guy pick up a male prostitute in peace?

You tell us?

 

[Tom Servo]

Gawker and other liberal rags

Why do you keep referring to Gawker as being liberal? Their content is mostly celebrity and media industry gossip, that doesn't make it liberal.

Their think pieces and their perspective on many issues are left of center...especially on Jezebel.

 

[Ignoramus]

You're right - that is a key aspect as to whether it is newsworthy or not. But non-public figures are in the news all the time. Just turn on the evening news and you'll see a story about some poor Joe Shmoe getting busted for prostitution.

Not sure where you get your news, but it takes some very unusual circumstances for a solicitation arrest to make the news round here.

 

[NCCommish]

More like corporate media bias as usual.

 

[randall146]

OMG a guy almost cheated on his wife that's crazy

 

[Judge Smails]

go big or go home...

 

[Guest]

I thought it was funny how I learned of this, including the name of the accused: In an article on Hiffington Post shaming Gawker for running the story.

 

[matuski]

OBAMA's EX TREASURY SECRETARY's BROTHER's COUSIN.

 

[matuski]

I'M UNDER SIEGE FROM ALL ANGLES

 

[General Tso]

OBAMA's EX TREASURY SECRETARY's BROTHER's COUSIN.

Yeah. So this is the part of the thread where useless matsuki comes in with his babbling idiocy. Pay attention chief. David is Tim's brother. Lol. I know it's hard for you.

 

[Apple Jack]

OMG a guy almost cheated on his wife that's crazy

Um, SOMEBODY is conveniently leaving out a little (hello? HUUUUUUGE!!!) part of the story. This isn't just any regular guy almost cheating on his wife. Oh no. This is the brother of an ex-treasury secretary. Oh yeah. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!!!!!

 

[jamny]

If Gawker/deadspin and Grantland both go belly up at the same time, the survivors could combine into a great combo site

Is it odd that I've never gone to any of those websites?

 

[General Tso]

OMG a guy almost cheated on his wife that's crazy

Um, SOMEBODY is conveniently leaving out a little (hello? HUUUUUUGE!!!) part of the story. This isn't just any regular guy almost cheating on his wife. Oh no. This is the brother of an ex-treasury secretary. Oh yeah. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!!!!!

He's also the CFO of a mass media company.

 

[urbanhack]

CFO!!!!!!

 

[Cliff Clavin]

If Gawker/deadspin and Grantland both go belly up at the same time, the survivors could combine into a great combo site

Is it odd that I've never gone to any of those websites?

Deadspin and Grantland have some great writers.

 

[avoiding injuries]

CAP LOCK EXCLAMATION POINT RESPONSE

 

[whoknew]

OMG a guy almost cheated on his wife that's crazy

Um, SOMEBODY is conveniently leaving out a little (hello? HUUUUUUGE!!!) part of the story. This isn't just any regular guy almost cheating on his wife. Oh no. This is the brother of an ex-treasury secretary. Oh yeah. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!!!!!

He's also the CFO of a mass media company.

So that makes his personal life news somehow? Come on. This is bull####.

 

[avoiding injuries]

If Gawker/deadspin and Grantland both go belly up at the same time, the survivors could combine into a great combo site

Is it odd that I've never gone to any of those websites?

Deadspin and Grantland have some great writers.

Deadspin used to be my favorite follow by a wide margin. They've dropped off significantly.

 

[matuski]

Poor Tso11.

 

[General Tso]

CFO!!!!!!

Right. One of the foremost positions of trust within a company, and one that pretty much demands a crystal clear record. And this example illustrates why. When you engage in activities like illicit prostitution there is the very real risk of other crimes like extortion occurring, and these could adversely affect the company and its reputation. Of course the reputation of a media company sets such a low bar that prostitution with a gay porn star could probably be looked upon as a badge of honor rather than a disgrace.

 

[General Tso]

Poor Tso11.

Lol. Why don't you tell the board again how hot your wife is Hideki.

 

[Apple Jack]

CFO!!!!!!

Right. One of the foremost positions of trust within a company, and one that pretty much demands a crystal clear record. And this example illustrates why. When you engage in activities like illicit prostitution there is the very real risk of other crimes like extortion occurring, and these could adversely affect the company and its reputation. Of course the reputation of a media company sets such a low bar that prostitution with a gay porn star could probably be looked upon as a badge of honor rather than a disgrace.

Or more likely a huge wgaf.

 

[matuski]

BIG CONTROVERSY

 

[General Tso]

OMG a guy almost cheated on his wife that's crazy

Um, SOMEBODY is conveniently leaving out a little (hello? HUUUUUUGE!!!) part of the story. This isn't just any regular guy almost cheating on his wife. Oh no. This is the brother of an ex-treasury secretary. Oh yeah. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!!!!!

He's also the CFO of a mass media company.

So that makes his personal life news somehow? Come on. This is bull####.

That's the debate. The media says it's news when it involves a conservative preacher, talk show host or politician because it highlights hypocrisy that the public has the right to know about. It it also hypocrisy that the public has the right to know about when a CFO, entrusted with the assets of a large corporation, puts those assets at risk through extortion attempts? And is David Geithner in the public eye? They guy is the brother of a well known person, and he's also the CFO of a very large, well known media company. He isn't exactly an anonymous schmoe.

 

[Apple Jack]

 

[Sinn Fein]

I love the need to put his name in the thread title - by, god, if Gawker doesn't have the balls to keep the story, I will do my part to make sure the public is informed....

 

[otello]

What if he complied with GAAP?

 

[randall146]

I like how you shifted from the "he's a hypocrite!" angle to "he can't be trusted as a CFO!"

You keep making it seem like HE WAS PART OF AN EXTORTION!!1 but it seems like he told the guy to screw and the guy went to the press. Not sure how that jeopardizes corporate finances

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay.

You are missing the key issue of this story: David Geither is not a public figure, which means that Gawker can be held to a much higher journalistic standard (re: libel) when reporting a story about him. That is the sole reason why the story was pulled.

This story has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, or Hollywood.

I agree.

But thinking through this... is this at all different from when municipalities publish arrests in prostitution stings?

Yes of course it is different. David Geither was not arrested.

 

[Tom Servo]

OMG a guy almost cheated on his wife that's crazy

Um, SOMEBODY is conveniently leaving out a little (hello? HUUUUUUGE!!!) part of the story. This isn't just any regular guy almost cheating on his wife. Oh no. This is the brother of an ex-treasury secretary. Oh yeah. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!!!!!

He's also the CFO of a mass media company.

So that makes his personal life news somehow? Come on. This is bull####.

That's the debate. The media says it's news when it involves a conservative preacher, talk show host or politician because it highlights hypocrisy that the public has the right to know about. It it also hypocrisy that the public has the right to know about when a CFO, entrusted with the assets of a large corporation, puts those assets at risk through extortion attempts? And is David Geithner in the public eye? They guy is the brother of a well known person, and he's also the CFO of a very large, well known media company. He isn't exactly an anonymous schmoe.

I was with you until you placed the CFO on par with your other examples. Just being the brother of a famous person doesn't automatically make you famous.This is more about the humiliation of a corporate rival - as well as some gay-shaming - by Gawker.

 

[Chadstroma]

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay.

You are missing the key issue of this story: David Geither is not a public figure, which means that Gawker can be held to a much higher journalistic standard (re: libel) when reporting a story about him. That is the sole reason why the story was pulled.

This story has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, or Hollywood.

I agree.

But thinking through this... is this at all different from when municipalities publish arrests in prostitution stings?

Yes of course it is different. David Geither was not arrested.

Is that really material? Both are doing the same thing and both had that information broadcasted to others. Not sure being arrested or not makes a difference on it being right or wrong to let others know about it.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Gawker received a ton of negative press, mostly from the largely liberal media and Hollywood types, and has since apologized and expressed regret for running the story. What I find interesting here is the apparent double standard. Gawker and other liberal rags wouldn't think twice about publishing a story like this if the "victim" was a conservative who may have expressed opinions that could be viewed as anti-gay.

You are missing the key issue of this story: David Geither is not a public figure, which means that Gawker can be held to a much higher journalistic standard (re: libel) when reporting a story about him. That is the sole reason why the story was pulled.

This story has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, or Hollywood.

I agree.

But thinking through this... is this at all different from when municipalities publish arrests in prostitution stings?

Yes of course it is different. David Geither was not arrested.

Is that really material?

 

[Ditka Butkus]

OMG a guy almost cheated on his wife that's crazy

Um, SOMEBODY is conveniently leaving out a little (hello? HUUUUUUGE!!!) part of the story. This isn't just any regular guy almost cheating on his wife. Oh no. This is the brother of an ex-treasury secretary. Oh yeah. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!!!!!

He's also the CFO of a mass media company.

Don't forget the gay porn star.

 

[GibbyGarcia]

I think my objection is more about the outing of a bi/gay man that hadn't done anything to deserve it. I'm not even for outing public figures for infidelity or LGB , unless they are hypocrites that actively advocate family values crap or anti-gay stances. Can that be a grey area, sure. But this one was clearly past the line. And facilitating an extortion was pretty crappy.

I still laugh when the "Larry Craig Memorial Bathroom" shows up for a check-in when I walk by it in the MSP airport.