(iverson's) currentbuzz: Online Database of Salaries Raises Hackles

The Lansing State Journal reporters did a CAR (computer assisted reporting-database) story for which they published a public database of employee salaries. Transparency. The public's right to know. Yes, but check out the comments from those whose public information was disclosed.
All the info has been there, but who had the time or inclination to go through it all? Reporters, who would then analzye and summarize it. Now with database journalism, there will be more and more access to information via computer with search capabilities.

The posts and reactions to putting the information online is quite interesting. Get ready for more spats like this as EveryBlock and projects like it become a standard form of reporting.

You pathetic small time reporters at the LSJ should be ashamed.
God forbid you did some actual reporting on real news instead of releasing the personal information of everyday ordinary people to everyone on the planet.

How about using the Freedom of Information Act to report on the MSP debacle and the dreadful plans they have in store for the Triangle Property?

You are nothing more than a small time tabloid. I'm done with this pathetic excuse for an outsourced local paper.

I will never buy another LSJ, I will never visit a link from your sponsors online and I will never shop at a business that advertises on your website.

This paper is dead to me.

Source: vh10019.sns.gbahn.net

Or another one,

I for one am glad to see this information online. If state employees are underpaid they should have no problem with this info being public.

This is great for those of us employed by the state who want to see how much our do-nothing managers make (in my case, $75K).

Source: vh10019.sns.gbahn.net