14 DAY TRIAL // Well, it's not actually Microsoft that keeps the files, but it is done on the Redmond Company's behalf. Wired Contributing Editor Fred Vogelstein managed to get his hands on his secret Microsoft file via an email from Microsoft's PR firm, Waggener Edstrom.
"I recently got about as close as one can get to this experience. While reporting a story on Microsoft's video blogging initiative - something called Channel 9 - the dossier that Microsoft and its outside public relations agency Waggener Edstrom keeps on me accidentally ended up in my email inbox," Vogelstein revealed.
Vogelstein, while collaborating with the Redmond Company, had also come under the microscope of Microsoft's PR machinery. He found that Waggener Edstrom had actually manipulated Wired and told him to get a story related to Channel 9 across.
Mary Jo Foley aimed to downplay to issue of the file. She said that it is widely known that Waggener Edstrom keeps files on the journalists that collaborate with Microsoft. Foley said that this information is in fact little news worthy.
"Some media members are simply shocked that Microsoft's PR team keeps dossiers on the reporters and bloggers who cover the company. That's old news, folks. And not even very interesting news. A few years back, I had a chance to see my "dossier," which Microsoft's PR team inadvertently sent to another reporter, who forwarded it to me," Foley said. Foley argues that the true story is Microsoft transparency and if the Redmond Company continues to be opened to the public via outlets such as Channel 9.
As a journalist, I do my "homework" before a story, so I am not disturbed by the perspective that Microsoft would in turn do their "homework" on me. In fact, I am no stranger to Waggener Edstrom, so how do I get to receive my own secret Microsoft file?