ESPN is Anti-Internet - The UpStream

Social networking seems to be a polarizing subject. Until just a few weeks ago, I had resisted the trend, but recently activated a Facebook page. PLuGHiTz Live! recently started using Twitter. On the other hand, several NFL teams have banned their players from using Twitter at all.

Following in the footsteps of the NFL, ESPN has banned their staff from using social networking sites in general to discuss anything ESPN or sports related. The New York Times writes:

The guidelines say that on-air talent, reporters and writers are prohibited from having sports-related blogs or Web sites and that they will need a supervisor's approval to discuss sports on any social networking sites. They will also be restricted from discussing internal policies or detailing how stories are 'reported, written, edited or produced.'

Now, I understand that ESPN wants to keep their brand image the way they want it, but this might just be a little too far. The ability for an on-air talent to hear from their fans allows them to be more oriented towards the fans. It is why we are so interested in people joining the chat room during PLuGHiTz Live! Radio, so we can talk to the people as they listen.

My guess is that we will see some sort of clarification in the coming weeks, or some sort of ESPN social hub. What do you think about this new ESPN policy?