| If you are a Western New Yorker, chances are you know that The Buffalo News and political website extraordinaire Joe Illuzzi are not the best of friends. Illuzzi has attacked The News over the years and The News has targeted Illuzzi over his use of copyrighted material, among other things.
Today, Bob McCarthy of The News authored an interesting piece on Illuzzi's website and the impact is has on local politics. Here's an excerpt:
Whenever the seamy underside of Western New York politics has been revealed in recent months, it seems that Joseph J. Illuzzi and his Web site are there.
And it is all brought to you by the politicians who willingly - and sometimes not so willingly - send hundreds of thousands of dollars his way.
...
Despite accusations that Illuzzi runs a "pay-to-play" operation that praises those who pony up and trashes those who don't, Western New York's politicians continue to pour money into his coffers. About 25 politicians advertise on his site.
"They use it to get a message out or spread their rumors," said Kevin R. Hardwick, a Canisius College political science professor and an occasional Illuzzi target. "In return, he makes a living off it. And he will continue until a high-profile campaign makes it an issue."
Board of Elections records show politicians paid Illuzzi at least $150,000 over the past few years. In 2005, he told The Buffalo News he took in $1 million in revenue and expected to double that figure in 2006, though there is no independent way to verify his claims.
I really don't like to give Illuzzi press because, well, he thrives off of the attention. But this is an issue around here. Many politicians on both sides of the aisle feel the need to advertise on his site. Their reasoning for advertising on his site appears to be fear for being attacked by Illuzzi. Obviously, that's not how things should be.
As I have told others, Illuzzi's website isn't meant to be a great source of journalism. It's sole purpose is to make money for Illuzzi. That is another reason why I don't understand all of the politicians who advertise on his site. He could care less about them if they didn't pay up. So why would these candidates and elected officials put themselves in such a position?
I do find it intriguing that the Buffalo News felt the need to dedicate space to this. What they should do is a real investigative piece on Illuzzi's site and the money he has made. That would be worth a read. |
