We keep seeing false claims about Substack that seem designed to mislead.
Here’s just one recent example, which the outlet refuses to correct.
We believe the best way to fight misinformation is through open debate, so here are the facts.
1/x
The writer claims Substack “actively recruits and pays extremists.”
We do not and have not, and he can’t name any examples. Yet when approached about it, he said: “I'd be happy to remove it if you could provide evidence that it's inaccurate.”
That’s not how this works.
It’s not journalism to make an unfounded claim and demand contrary “evidence” to remove it. It borders on extortion: we will defame you unless you give us what we want.
No.
The onus is on the journalist to prove the accusation, not on the subject to disprove it.
It’s like a media outlet accusing you of money laundering, and when you protest, they refuse to issue a correction unless you give them your financial statements.
This is clearly unreasonable. That’s why the burden of proof is on the journalist, not the subject.
Not only does the writer fail to produce any evidence or examples, but he doesn’t even attempt to make the argument that anyone we’ve “recruited” is an “extremist” by any definition.
Rather, he seems to just use “extremist” as a label for anyone whose opinions he doesn’t like.
It’s now common to use words like “extremist” not in the true sense, but as a slur against people on the other side — like how Putin calls Ukrainians “fascist.”
It’s unfortunate when people do this but crazy when it comes from a media outlet that makes any claim to integrity.
You can find disagreeable people and opinions everywhere online, including Substack.
That doesn’t give a media outlet the license to fabricate and defame.
The accusation here is a serious one, and its unsubstantiated sweeping claim smears an entire community of writers.
We’ve asked @WIRED to correct this, but they refuse unless we pay the ransom in the form of private information.
We won’t be doing that.
Instead, the responsibility is theirs to get the facts right. When they fail as they have here, they should issue an unambiguous correction.
Comms before the storm:
You need a crisis comms plan *before* crisis hits.
That plan should include
1) War room roles 2) Criteria for breaking the glass 3) Principles and priorities 4) Hour 1 actions and fact-finding 5) Messaging guidelines 6) Scenario plans and tactics
i.e.,
1) War room roles & responsibilities
Have a list of who needs to assemble in a crisis, with their cell numbers and locations.
Most likely the CEO, CFO, CTO, general counsel, and heads of comms, people, product, and investor relations.
Each will have specific responsibilities.
2) Criteria for activating the war room
To avoid expensively convening people over a false alarm, agree in advance on what makes something a crisis for your company, eg:
- serious injuries or fatalities
- major disruption to operations
- material damage to finances
Happy birthday to the immortal Professor Tolkien — may the hair on his toes never fall out!
In annual tribute to one of the greatest geniuses of all time, here’s a collection of wisdom from his characters…
“I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to. The long explanations needed by the young are wearying.”
- Gandalf
“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.”
Antitrust law exists to protect consumers, not competitors.
The FTC is doing the opposite with their baseless, ideologically-driven suit to stop the Microsoft / Activision Blizzard deal.
So let’s talk about it…
The facts show this deal benefits gamers, workers, and global competition.
But the FTC is ignoring facts, along with precedent and business reality. Their case rests on the unfounded fear that Microsoft will make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox.
3 reasons that makes no sense:
1) Microsoft doesn’t have the ability or the incentive to withhold COD
2) A single game doesn’t stifle competition
3) The FTC has just made up nonsensical definitions of “markets” that it claims will be dominated by Xbox (currently in third place…)