Had a nice time attending the awards ceremony at The State yesterday afternoon. Aside from recognizing the staff that almost won the Pulitzer for Hugo coverage, we saw three former colleagues inducted into the paper’s Hall of Fame, and honored two current staffers with the annual Hampton and Gonzales awards.
Sammy Fretwell received the Gonzales award, which is given each year for superlative reporting. It was an excellent choice. In keeping with theme that was running through a lot of the event about noting ways things have changed in the business, Sammy mentioned that something he’s had to get used to is the flurry of critical Tweets that follow everything he does these days.
When he said it, I thought, well, yeah — that’s something you have to expect today. Goes with the territory.
But when I Tweeted an innocuous picture of Sammy and me together after the reception, I saw what he meant. There does seem to be a rapid-response team on a hair trigger, ready to fire at any mention of Sammy Fretwell in the Twitterverse. Note the following:
Can hardly see his puppet strings. MT @BradWarthen: Here w/honoree @sfretwell83, @ River Rat after awards ceremony pic.twitter.com/NCV2RkoJKv
— Michael Rentiers (@michaelrentiers) July 10, 2014
@BradWarthen never said a word about what type a man he is. He clearly is an advocate who uses the paper to push specific interests.
— Michael Rentiers (@michaelrentiers) July 10, 2014
.@michaelrentiers @BradWarthen @sfretwell83 Sammy accept this high honor himself or did @CVofSC @scdp accept on his behalf? @timcpearson
— Rob Godfrey (@RobGodfrey) July 10, 2014
@RobGodfrey @michaelrentiers @BradWarthen @sfretwell83 @CVofSC @scdp @timcpearson someone has to hold “reporters” accountable.
— Wesley Donehue (@wesleydonehue) July 10, 2014
.@BradWarthen @michaelrentiers @sfretwell83 @timcpearson Good thing you’re here to provide much-needed clarity Brad. Debate over, guys.
— Rob Godfrey (@RobGodfrey) July 10, 2014
@BradWarthen @RobGodfrey @timcpearson it’s demonstrable in so many “articles” his decision to reflect one side and misrepresent the other.
— Michael Rentiers (@michaelrentiers) July 10, 2014
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