Bloggers are often accused of being mere cut ‘n pasters, undoubtedly many of us are, but when we do, we usually give a link, credit or hat tip to our source. But the Dead-Tree-Press of the mainstream media seem less willing to do the same. Guido’s amazing ability to come up with stories and angles that Marina Hyde at the Guardian also thinks up has become legendary. Indeed the Guardian Diarists even think up the same jokes as Guido nowadays. Always just a day or two after Guido…

Guido is an avid reader of Recess Monkey, and noticed a story that he ran on Thursday about an over-heard young researcher using the chat-up line “If you come out with me, I’ll introduce you to the prime minister.” It brought a smile. So this morning when he read the Sunday Times’ Atticus column he was amazed to read the same story. Is the Monkey moonlighting for the Sunday Times?

Or is it another cut ‘n paste job? Guido thinks it time the Blogosphere came together to honour the MSM with its own awards. A nomination panel should be assembled, composed of bloggers who have had stories lifted without attribution. A suitable trophy should be found for the Press Plagiarist of the Year Award.

Contact Guido (box on the right) if you want to be on the nominations commitee and with great examples of cut ‘n pasting. Special prizes for cut ‘n paste jobs which copy errors as well. Only unattributed specimens are eligible, we want to encourage them to give credit where credit is due.