Chez2 Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 I thought that I would make you aware of an issue that I discovered when searching for articles about my company on the internet. Earlier this year a student posted on this forum, requesting information on what to look out for when starting a new business. This was dressed up as part of their project. It now transpires that the student was on a journalist course. The content of my post was then taken by the student, spun beyond recognition and further embellished with stuff and nonsense that was never mentioned. The article made me out to want everything handing to me on a plate for my business and as the sort of person who struggles to get dressed without help in a morning. I have been in contact with the university and they have been very responsive, deleting the article immediately. Unfortunately, the actions of this student will mean that I will be far more reluctant to offer assistance to the next student who asks for information. This incident has made me more aware that the hard work you put in to provide a professional impression of your company can be easily undone by others, especially with the availability of information - factual or otherwise that is available on the internet.
nomnom Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 i agree that the student was most definately wrong on this occasion, but please dont tar us all with the same brush! a lot of people are shocked that its only a very small percentage of students that act like idiots.
tinfoilhat Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 Thanks for the warning but it goes to show no good deed goes unpunished. You have my sympathies buts that why I remain anonymous, so some unknown halfwit can't destroy your good reputation.
Chez2 Posted October 22, 2011 Author Posted October 22, 2011 Thanks for the warning but it goes to show no good deed goes unpunished. You have my sympathies buts that why I remain anonymous, so some unknown halfwit can't destroy your good reputation. This could happen off the forum too. If I had met them in person and answered their questions they could have still written the same article. I have written to the University and asked for a response. I have asked them to inform the students about the difference between 'spin' and 'inventing' a story, or part of it. I have asked that they advise that this type of action could result in litigation against the University or an employer if the are working. I am awating their response with interest.
steveroberts Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 Keep us all posted, I'd be interested to see the outcome.
tinfoilhat Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 This could happen off the forum too. If I had met them in person and answered their questions they could have still written the same article. I have written to the University and asked for a response. I have asked them to inform the students about the difference between 'spin' and 'inventing' a story, or part of it. I have asked that they advise that this type of action could result in litigation against the University or an employer if the are working. I am awating their response with interest. It's just another reason why helping people is a bad idea. I hope the university do something about it, but I'd be half inclined to get a solicitor on the case to help them along a bit, and with any luck, get this reprobate chucked off his course and on to a scapheap.
Chez2 Posted October 22, 2011 Author Posted October 22, 2011 The student has left now. They said they leave the students to run the publication but it was so badly written it wasn't a good advert for the University. It was only a short article but it was written in at least two different styles as though not written by just one person. It's not the first complaint they have had either.
ismangil Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Thanks for the warning but it goes to show no good deed goes unpunished. You have my sympathies buts that why I remain anonymous, so some unknown halfwit can't destroy your good reputation. Two sides of the same coin. I've noted people like Richard Branson said PR is the best publicity because it's free. And if Steve Jobs had remained anonymous, would Apple be the coveted brand that it is now? Of course it brings with the spins, lies, libel and what have you. Branson had to deal with BA, Jobs never cooperated on any biography until nearing the end of his life.
Chez2 Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 Most of the article was totally invented, topics we had never even discussed. It made me sound really negative and a complete numpty. If I was a stupid as the article made me out to be then I would have no chance starting a business never mind making a go of it.
ismangil Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Most of the article was totally invented, topics we had never even discussed. It made me sound really negative and a complete numpty. If I was a stupid as the article made me out to be then I would have no chance starting a business never mind making a go of it. Then of course you have every right to sue him for libel.
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