Recent discussion here and elsewhere had me thinking a bit more than usual about the differences between political news and opinion delivered via blogs and via newspapers and TV. One critical difference is the comments. I typically read the “article” part of a blog posting (often called the Diary or Post) only as a jumping off point for the comments. The latter are often where the credibility of the article, and the strength of its argument, are established for me. If there are factual errors or major logical flaws, rest assured someone will quickly point them out, especially on the more heavily-trafficked blogs. In this sense, blog technology offers an experience similar to a conference: a speaker presents, followed by a discussion.
Newspapers, TV and radio have been slow to embrace this technology. They are almost all presentation and very little discussion. The Globe, for example, as has often been noted here, does not allow comments on its articles. Why not?
Now the NYT appears to be moving toward the blog model. “Readers of the Web version of The New York Times are being offered a rapidly expanding range of opportunities to interact with editors, reporters and other online users. And they are using it to question, criticize – and, yes, praise – the news staff to a degree never seen in the print paper,” their Public Editor writes today.
The paper has started to allow comments on one story each day. “There should be even greater reader interaction ahead. Mr. Landman told me in September that further interactive features are being contemplated. One possible feature he mentioned: allowing readers to comment on every story on the site, not just one major article a day,” the piece continued.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
The traditional newspapers have been missing out on opportunities to really engage their public and get some loyalty in the process. I think the smart ones are like WBZ-4, who have a good web presence and have a Jon Keller to banter engage in raillery with the blogs. They should enable comments, although that may make their lawyers sweat a little bit.
<
p>
But think about the traffic we drive to traditional media sources, the Globe and Herald sites in particular. Maybe it’s not much, but if you were in management at those media outlets, wouldn’t you want to encourage that? That’s why I think it’s smart to have journalists do blogging, like the Globe and Herald’s blogs, to “seed” places like BMG with stories of interest.
<
p>
I think this pattern is a win-win for “old media” and jes’ folks blogs like this one.
..perhaps in a vain hope that people wouldn’t write a letter a week later, and complain about a letter that they couldn’t PUBLISH for anotehr week…http://www.capecodon…
<
p>
The killer is – nobody comments!