FPC Raiders Roundtable: Separating Media

In the modern era of the NFL, fans possess more diverse sources for information than ever before. However, with so much available information about the Raiders, fans could miss something vital. If you are reading this, we appreciate your time. Next, in order to help the Nation parse the good from the bad in media, FPC Raiders writers Ray Aspuria, Pete Camarillo, and Terrance Biggs try decoding what fans should demand from media.

With the overwhelming number of Raiders news sources, what three traits do you ascribe to credible info?

Aspuria

1. Access
2. Consistency
3. Realness

To me, a news source must have access, that’s prime. When a journalist has access to the team — coaches, players, executives — that implies trustworthiness and establishment. The team trusts this person to be in their company and said person established that rapport.

Consistency is vital. While the newspaper biz is almost a wasteland with how constricted the avenues are with papers dwindling, a beat writer who has covered the team for a lengthy period always draws my interest.

Realness stays underrated. I prefer the impartial/objective journalism, but I also appreciate when beat writers are real. They report fact, but aren’t afraid to interject opinion after said piece has come out — this is common on social media. When a beat writer presents the facts, then provides opinion after, that draws me to said journalist more as they seriously contemplate what they cover, and not just cover it.

Camarillo

Reputation.

How long have they been doing this? Where have they done it at? What is their niche, focus or interest?

Engagement.

Are they receptive to feedback? Are they honest about their successes as well as their failures? Do they own their takes no matter how good or bad they are?

Impact.

What are they doing for the Raiders culture? Are they elevating the conversation and sharing new perspectives? On the other hand, are they stanning and promoting groupthink? Are they really fans? Do they really understand football? Do they understand the greatness of the Raiders. Alternatively, are they culture vulturing for likes and chasing follows?

Biggs

Motive

Why do they write/broadcast? If the answer remains to bring news, strong opinion and facts, perfect. If the publication seeks to grab headlines and clicks by hot take nonsense, that ain’t it. The Raiders and their fans deserve more than that.

Reputation

If you don’t care about the blue Twitter checkmark but want to talk about the Raiders on offense, people need to see that. Too many times, media will solely brand themselves as those saying obnoxiously false. At the end of our careers, your words and opinions survive as your legacy.

Objectivity

When the Raiders lose, there needs to be an honest explanation why. Take the blind fandom out of the equation. When they win, the media member must keep the same energy. During my time writing about the Raiders, I’ve seen extremes. Either too positive during loses or negative when the team won. What separates the fanboy/fangirl from the dedicated is the ability to shelve emotion to present facts.