The editor of Adirondack Almanack (AA) has been a sporadic critic of the 'right wing clap-trap,' the 'right wing BS line' and 'middle of the road pandering' that has appeared on this site. While I make no apologies for my writings and though I wish AA would accept public comments on its entries, the blog remains a very worthy read.
The Almanack recently celebrated its second anniversary as probably the only (or at least the best) blog that focuses entirely on Adirondack-themed issues. It offered a very good look at blogging within (and just outside) the Blue Line.
AA heaps scorn on the mainstream media's antipathy toward blogs and the online world in general. In part, I understand that sentiment. Mainstream media (MSM) journalists face more criticism than ever before, some fair, some not. Much of it generated by ideological organizations with axes to grind who have no interest in anything resembling fair reporting. Bloggers can choose to be completely or partially anonymous and thus somewhat shield themselves to the degree they want. I choose to publish only my first name, though most readers know who I am. MSM journalists do not have this luxury. I was a print journalist in college and I imagine I might feel a little resentment at doing tons of leg work and then being constantly second guessed (almost never praised) by someone sitting in their underwear and a bathrobe in front of a computer pounding out a rant.
That said, MSM journalists (and particularly publishers and editors) should realize that blogs are here to stay. Rather than pulling an RIAA and fighting against this new innovation, the MSM ought to embrace the blogosphere not as a competitor but as something that can compliment (and even inspire) its own work.
Anyway, Almanack points out that after insisting that free news sites would go the way of dinosaurs, the Glens Falls Post-Star recently abandoned its subscription-only model and put all its content on its free site (which is actually structured much better than either of its previous sites). Though to its credit, the daily quickly scrapped the obnoxious Don Coyote blog. If only the paper would dump the anonymous cheap shots (as well as the anonymous It's Debatable comments) from its printed pages too! When I worked at my college's newspaper, I was taught that everything in a printed newspaper should have a name associated with it.
AA also points out that most local TV, radio and newspaper websites either don't have blogs at all or have pale imitations. Why should a media outlet waste its time and money maintaining a blog that doesn't add much content or context to its main output? The one notable exception being the Albany Times-Union's excellent Capitol Confidential blog on New York state government and politics.
Almanack also shares my high opinion of North Country Public Radio and its online content. While Albany-based WAMC/Northeast Public Radio has its merit (I've been a member in the past), its regional news content is a mile wide and an inch deep, trying to serve everybody a little but no one well. The tone on NCPR is much different, much folksier. The regional reporting is more in depth. You have no doubt you are listening to a resolutely North Country station rooted in its community. The website reflects that.
3 comments:
Thanks for the kind words. Although we do have our differences, I also enjoy hearing your ideas.
As far as comments are concerned. For now, I'm leaving them off because in general, comments seem to attract the worst trolls. People can still comment on Adirondack Almanack posts by e-mail and I get quite a few that way. Those that are not threats of violence (I've had more than I can believe), incoherent (i.e. embarassing, or should be, to the writer), or irrelevant, I try to include in my posts.
People who are interested in real dialouge are the ones who care enough to start their own blog.
When I felt my point of view was no longer represented in local newspapers, I started the blog. Those who have differing views from mine can do the same - I'd rather not dilute Adirondack Almanack with irrelevant, or unthoughtful comments. A look at any of the more popular blogs that allow comments will demonstrate what I mean.
In the future I may open some (or all) posts up for comments.
Almanack, I fully understand your concern. It's one I wrestled with for a while. However, I've found that a simple change has addressed this for me. I simply set it so any comments must be approved by me before being published. That way, I can publish the ones that contribute to the dialogue and delete the ones that don't. I hope you'll consider it.
Personally, I think half the fun of blogging is the interaction. We need more in the Adirondacks.
I don't know about you, but I think the Post-Star has been getting better and better. It's become a daily read for me online. Some of the Press-Republican's reporters have been posting occasionally, but it's mostly pretty thin stuff.
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