Hipster Journalism: A Case Study

I’m up for reading snarky pop culture pieces as much as the next guy, but that doesn’t mean that some hipster journalist has the right to assassinate anyone’s character they choose.

The latest piece to burst out of the bohemian media gates comes from James Montgomery of MTV news.

On the heels of Mark McGwire’s admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs, Montgomery decided to list several figures in the music industry who he believes are steroid users.

Among them was Dillinger Escape Plan front man, Greg Puciato. Montgomery explains:

“The diminutive wailer for New Jersey spazzers Dillinger Escape Plan is ripped enough for a man five-times his size, and though he’s denied using steroids (he chalks his physique up to “eat[ing] a lot of protein and work[ing] out a lot”), we’re still not entirely convinced. Then again, positively destroying the stage on a nightly basis has to have some benefits, right?”

Puciato, who subscribes to the belief that “sometimes pacifism is simply being lazy,” responded to the accusation by issuing a statement to Noisecreep.com, decrying the allegation and giving its author a piece of his mind.

Montgomery soon realized the consequences of his actions after no doubt being scorched by legions of DEP fans.  

He eventually reached out to Puciato via Twitter early Wednesday morning and not only apologized, but offered to write a retraction.  

Strangely enough, Montgomery also tried to explain that his article was never intended to insinuate anyone was using steroids, but that is a story for another day.

While Montgomery is not exactly a reporter for the New York Times, his piece still lacked common sense and decency. 

There is nothing funny about unfounded accusations of drug use. 

One might wonder why he even wrote the article and question how much he actually believed in it since he was so quickly willing to apologize for it.

Was it a looming deadline? A case of writer’s block? Maybe a good old fashion lapse in judgment? The world may never know.

What is your take on this?

UPDATE

Montgomery has added an amendement to his article. In it, he issused an apology and attempts to explain his actions. To err is human; to forgive is divine.