I’m amused with people who speak their mind and exercise their freedom of speech whether or not they’re correct, morally upright, or just plain misguided. At least, they stand and own up to their words.
In the case of Malu Fernandez‘s recent article in Manila Standard {via Connie}, I think because of her previous experience with the alleged “internet mob”, she knows controversy can draw a lot of traffic.
The difference between a journalist and a blogger is that journalists have to adhere to certain guidelines that govern the freedom of speech. And whatever a journalist chooses to write about—be it popular or unpopular—we do not hide behind an anonymous name and are resigned to the fact that we have to take as much as we dish out.
You have to give it to her. She knows this piece with get some tons of flak. What’s a single article in exchange for hundreds of raw back links and millions of page views? ShoeMoney and Jason Calacanis became top bloggers and master link baiters because of their controversial stance on sensitive issues.
And, for an online commercial publication like the Manila Standard, that traffic can be converted to ad revenues.
So, as early as now, I’d like to nominate Malu Fernandez as the 2008 Master Link Baiter. Let’s see how much raw links and pageviews MST will draw in after all these pans out. Besides, her previous scorching encounters didn’t leave her with 3rd-degree burns — she’s still writing for the newspaper, right?
And I’m even beginning to think she’s secretly doing freelance SEO for the publication.
Twitter: momblogger
says:
i refuse to give her that attention.
Twitter: marhgil
says:
yeah! master link baiter. got a link from bryanboy, connie and you!
that feat can only be done by a master link baiter. i’ve been SEOing my blog and I haven’t done such a feat yet. 
I-nofollow natin yung link when we write about her. :p
Ahaha, and I took the bait. Attention HOG, diba Marhgil?
[...] Mr. Yugatech just nominated her as Link Baiter of the Year! Wagi! Related Entries: [...]
no comment.
Twitter: sylv3rblade
says:
She’s no Michael Arrington for that matter. Controversial yes but she needs more substance.
Twitter: mikkogozalo
says:
LOLs.
Nice idea Ederic. Hehe, gusto ko tuloy gumawa ng post pero ‘wag nalang.
putek yan.. hehehe.. dinedma ko lang si Malu… gusto nya lang gumawa ng buzz sa blog sphere.. wahehehe
Twitter: techathand
says:
Ang lakas talagang mang alaska nyang si Malu ano ..
Despite her unfortunate column last year, this recent article of hers on blogging does have several valid points. Kathy Sierra and death threats, anyone?
[...] I am just thinking if Malu Fernandez doesn’t have any job at Manila Standard. Will she be a blogger? I think so , because she knows how to be popular and make the blogosphere heat up . I may say that she has a good technique and a traits of a Master Link Baiter. I agree with Abe she should be nominated as Master Link Baiter of 2008. [...]
Buti na lang babae… take away the “link” from her title and…
Peace!
Twitter: ricoz
says:
All I can say is we are all guilty of bigotry one way or another. The only difference is we don’t write or talk about it, we simply keep it to ourselves. Does that make us any better?
And I’ve read some really sick comments in reaction to her column last year. Does she really deserve that?
“Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.”
oh nooooooooooo.. she’s at it again huhuhu
sent you an email, Abe.
Who’s Malu Fernandez again?
amen to you sylv3rblade
masyado mababaw substance nya and i think if ever she created a stirr it would only last 2 or 3 days
[...] Malu Fernandez thinks blogging is a slacker job. * Acerbic Wits Extraordinaire, At It Again! * Malu Fernandez gunning for Master Link Baiter of the Year * Malu Fernandez, again * Looking for Trouble (updated) Bookmark to: Like my article? Leave a tip! [...]
bakit di na lang nya mag try mag blog?
Hehe I actually just copied the photos of her article from someone else.
‘No links for you, fatso!’
[...] brings me, what if Malu Fernandez would start a blog and put all her columns [...]
Thought about it but: nope, sorry. not worth it.
I’d rather optimize janina san miguel instead of nobody in the blogosphere lols
you have to hand it to her. Totoo naman yung sinabi nya na
Kung nasaktan man ang mga bloggers sa sinabi nya eh masyado naman sigurong mayabang ang mga nasaktan na yun. Porket me blog ka ba e at par ka na sa mga nagsusulat sa diyaryo? Amazing what an adsense account will do to your perception about yourself.
Although hindi ko gusto yung sinulat nya about sa mga OFW pero lumalabas lang na kaya galit tayo dahil political incorrect kasi yun eh emphasis sa “Political Incorrect”
Pero yung pagiging link bait nya parang ganun nga. Napaclick tuloy ako sa link papunta sa column nya.