Seemed like a good idea at the time
You have to admire the gutsiness of Michael Kinsley and the L.A. Times with its editorial experimentation. Reviews are in after Day 1, and they ain't that great, but, heck, it's just Day 1.
I don't know if what they're doing at the Times is right. I doubt I would want this every day. But at least they are doing things to shake up the status quo and be provocative. As we're learning, using the new technology tools in a change-resistant business can lead to unexpected results, some good, some bad. But if newspapers are to survive the revolution going on around them, they need to experiment, learn, adapt and lead.
Of course, I may be biased because it was the Times that christened Greensboro "Blogsboro."
And I should add: Allen Johnson is running on the same playground: Meanwhile, more major changes are in the offing. The editorial staff is considering a variety of new features and approaches to make the opinion pages livelier, more topical and more incisive. We'll seek your input as we plan a major redesign of the section for the fall.
Comments (5)
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Well that was short.
Too bad. It was a good idea but trolls will be trolls.
Posted on June 21, 2005 10:57 PM
Interesting take here.
Posted on June 22, 2005 12:12 AM
Thank Herb. I was looking for that post. Somehow I lost it and couldn't remember where I had read it.
Posted on June 22, 2005 10:10 AM
I agree with Jarvis on a lot of things, but he's before his time on the value of newspaper editorial pages. They still bring insight and influence to the discussion of issues, just as the best bloggers do. But not everyone has a blog. Not everyone uses a computer as a lifeline to the world.
Granted, the pages must renew themselves, and, increasingly, they must provide more space for citizens' voices. But they also have the right to an opinion and their opinion often helps drive change for the better.
Posted on June 22, 2005 10:18 AM
I thought Jarvis was a little over the top on pronouncing the ed page dead myself. I think he's wrong that the editor is just one more blogger.
Deservedly or not, I think the Ed carries more weight than the op-ed. Besides it helps a new or casual reader get a sense of the tone of the paper in general. Helps you filter the spin.
Posted on June 22, 2005 5:50 PM