Editor's note: In our October 2001 issue, we profiled adult industry lobbyist Mike Ross. He felt the article was unfair and inaccurate and we offered him the opportunity to respond. The original article can be found online at www.AVNonline.com/issues/200110/netizens/nz1001_03.shtml.
Dear Friends:
It is my understanding that the only way I can become published in this month's issue of AVN Online is to write an article correcting or highlighting all the mistakes that were made in their October 2001 article about me entitled: "Mike Ross, The Mouth That Roars."
Those insulting mistakes range from improper journalistic techniques (such as no fact checking) to outright lies and AVN-led censorship of [my] activities. In my position, those actions can only be viewed as censorship, and as such, they produced and distributed a professionally designed "hit piece" against me and my work.
Hell, AVN Online not only didn't put contact information in the article for me (and after reading that article, who would want it?), but their mistakes, unprofessionalism, and hatred of me explains why, on the cover, they spelled my name wrong [We called him Mike, rather than Michael - Ed.], especially when the article clearly explains how I would like my name spelled.
Since the article's mistakes are too numerous to outline, I will put forth the following theory or premise: If we as an industry are to be taken seriously, so should our media, and that means that magazines like AVN and AVN Online should prescribe to professional journalistic concepts. After all, their mistakes are an insult to you the reader, and yes, it hurts this industry politically. Additionally, actions like the ones that transpired in this article provoked an AVN, industry-led censorship, which has made me either the most hated or feared person in this industry.
But why would I be hated, censored, and feared? I am fighting for the same things as AVN, namely to protect the First Amendment while ensuring that the industry survives and flourishes.
If this article is unedited as I was promised, I believe it will clearly show you why I am unfortunately hated, and yes, feared, as well as misunderstood.
The first reason I am hated is clear: My past actions have left others in the dust (they want to be where I am). For the record, my personal background is that of a lobbyist and consumer advocate. For the past 24 years, I have worked in and around the legislative process (since I was 20; I am now 44), and like many of you, I don't come from the adult entertainment industry. I was recruited by industry professionals to advise and work with them. And that is where the problem really started. You see, even though I recognize and respect their professional advice on many subjects, many don't like the political advice I am paid to give them, simply because those in power feel threatened. And those in power feel so threatened, they push censorship on someone who is fighting against censorship, and lie about the advice or actions that I provide.
Advice I have given them that was not wanted has included supporting candidates based on specific issues, rather than just because they are Democrats, something this industry does blindly. You can find out more at www.michaelross.net.
Additionally, according to the Secretary of State's office, I currently operate the only registered adult-oriented political action committee in California, a fact that was overlooked in the AVN Online article, even though I pointed it out several times (this can be verified at www.ca.ss.gov). Why did the author overlook this and not do his job?
The second reason why I am hated is simple: My ideas and actions are head and shoulders above the rest, are proactive as opposed to reactive, and, quite honestly, often become law or policy. In my 24 years in the capitol, I have worked on the passage and defeat of more than 500 pieces of legislation, as well as sponsoring more than 300 laws, proposals, amendments, or resolutions on a wide variety of subjects - from adoption to zoning, from telecommunications to consumer protection. In fact, if you listen to unsubstantiated rantings, you will hear that I am holding the industry hostage because of it. For example, a few years ago we passed a law that says that when you send out adult email, it has to have the following in the subject line: adlt. This was opposed by the First Amendment purists, but supported by those who understand that we can either be part of the problem or the solution. What do you want to be part of?
And for those who don't know it, that is what a lobbyist is supposed to do. We work with political officials to oppose legislation that affects our clients' rights and business interests, as well with legitimate legislative proposals that address problems or fix the problems. If that means we have to disseminate copies of bills, give people response deadlines, and then say "what do you think or be silent," then so be it. In my world, time is of the essence because, quite often, changes in proposals are made in front of legislative committees; compromise is how I eliminate problems, while still providing a good business environment for my clients. Remember, a problem fixed often means fewer legal costs. I have operated this way for years, yet the problem I run into is that this industry doesn't. I believe that the majority of this industry not only looks at the short term, but honestly doesn't understand what goes on in the legislative process or its dynamics. Thus they honestly believe that I am "holding them hostage." To them I suggest that they get educated and involved... hell, simply spend some time with me personally and find out what happens.
What makes this ironic is that every time [the adult industry] make this claim publicly, the California Secretary of State, Fair Political Practices, or the FBI gets wind of this and they investigate me. In my 24 years as a lobbyist, I have been investigated more since I have become an industry lobbyist than I had ever been before. And what have they found? I have never even been charged with anything. When I suggested to the author that he make calls to those offices, he chose not to. Why? Answer: He was doing a hit piece.
Additionally, if you are educated about the process, you will understand what my "job includes" and thus know that I am responsible for creating ideas like the following that are opposed by free speech purists and industry attorneys. Let's see what you think about the ideas:
The first idea is the Standardization of Internet Language: The problem here is simple. When talking about the Internet, people use terminology that has mixed or confused meanings. As a result, consumers receive mixed signals and as such, many times purchase items or services they don't need, or worse, don't understand or use. For example: When people talk about the term "hit" (used to set advertising prices and rates), they refer to either the number of people who "visit the site" or the number of "items downloaded" on any given page. There is no legal or industry definition for the computer user or business to reference regarding the Internet term "hit."
We are offering definitions of the following terms: Hits, Prepayment, Trial Period, Page, and Website, and want your input. We believe your support is vital because, by working with legislators in this fashion, it makes us as an industry look responsible, professional, and involved, and will help eliminate other types of negative regulation. (If you would like copies of this proposal, it can be found at www.michaelross.net in the legislative agenda section.)
Another idea the author felt was not worthy of mention is designed to get political pressure off your backs while increasing economic opportunities with a small sleight of hand. It is as follows: I believe all of the nation's cabarets should change or include in their name the term broadcast. They should then either create a Web broadcast channel or a low-band radio frequency (both would cost about the same) and then broadcast their show, supporting their claim that they are a "station" like any other in current operation. Once that happens, control over their operations switches from local government to the FCC, and, to be honest, the FCC has enough trouble taking care of what they have to take care of now, and doesn't have time to oversee this gray-area problem. That will do one of two things: either scare governments off, giving businesses more economic freedom; or move this thing right through the process to the Supreme Court for a swift decision as opposed to having it drag out in court for years.
In fact, to unfortunately show you how hated I am, one bill we had introduced on our clients' behalf, with their knowledge and support, was opposed by free speech purists who chose to "protect entertainers instead of business owners." Why?
The third reason that I am hated revolves around our free politically oriented trade fax, Websites, fund-raising, support, and power. You see, not only is our trade fax the oldest and most widely distributed trade fax (the Adult Entertainment Advocate is read by more than 4,000 industry professionals), but it has forced the industry to change the way news and event reporting is done. Additionally, we have more than 100 trend-setting Websites that attract over 1 million visitors a year. We also effectively fund-raise, thanks to the support of dozens of companies. In my world, that equates to political and industry power. In fact, if we are doing such a bad job, why are we still being financially supported? (Our Websites include www.cabaretcolition.com; www.xxxfundraising.com; www.exoticdancernetwork.com; www.howardsterndeservesastar.com; and www.consumeradvocacy.com.)
In closing, I hope I have given you a glimpse as to why I am the most hated and feared man in this industry. The most interesting thought I want to leave you with is this: I don't want to be the most hated or feared man, but because of continued industry censorship and unprofessionalism, I am and will continue to be. When you read magazines like this, remember, you can't always believe what you read, and that actions often speak louder than words. Knowing this, I have one last question to ask the AVN family: When will you professionalize your policies so that you operate like other leading magazines, including hire fact checkers?
Michael Ross is Legislative Advocate for the National Cabaret Association. You can contact him at [email protected].
