Google News is going to allow "perspectives in the news, by those in the news..."
This means that, well, I'll let Google explain it: "We'll be trying out a mechanism for publishing comments from a special subset of readers: people or organizations who were actual participants in the story in question. Our long-term vision is that any participant will be able to send in their comments, and we'll show them next to the articles about the story. Comments will be published in full, without any edits, but marked as 'comments' so readers know it's the individual's perspective, rather than part of a journalist's report."
Google is still working out the feature, launched this week, but I think it's headed in the right direction.
Journalists will still keep their jobs, and the story will simply be enhanced.
I'm thinking beyond allowing comment only from those involved in the story. Allow comments by anyone, anywhere.
This will engage the online community. Some oversight will be needed, (hiring people) so comments which don’t add anything to the discussion, use profanity, or try to sell a product, are deleted before everyone gets to see them. What do you think?
Los Angeles Times | Online Journalism Review
The essence of good journalism is asking the right questions, says an Los Angeles Times editorial. Google, however, won't ask anything of those who comment on the news stories it posts. "[Google's] only interest is that the submissions are authentic, not that they're relevant or even truthful. As a result, the comments section is likely to be larded with spin, hype and obfuscation. A seemingly heartfelt comment may carry the CEO's name, but the words will probably have been typed by corporate flacks." || Robert Niles: LAT's "stunning" editorial insults readers.
> Huffington Post now allows top commenters to become bloggers (P2.0)
Posted at 1:46:06 PM
