I discovered my love for the new media in Spokane. Even though I only spent two days with the Spokesman Review newspaper in Spokane, it made the most impression on me as far as doing journalism on the web is concern. This “spokesman review” is maximizing the potential of the Internet to stay in touch with her readers. I spend a day and half in Spokane interacting with reporters and editors. I sat through one of their daily editorial meetings which are screened live on the papers website, as part of its transparent newsroom project. The objective is to let the public know what the paper plans to work on for the next day. The idea is for them to make suggestions if any to these stories. Residents of Spokane can ask questions as to why a story was written in a particular way and also make suggestions or even report on issue themselves through their blogs.
What all these initiative does is to give room to the public to work with the media.
I was overwhelmed with the number of initiative that the paper has started in order to stay connected to its readers and also offer a platform for residents in its coverage hold conversations. The Spokesman Review newspaper, has for many years kept an email database of its readers, who they contact occasionally to comment on some emerging issue that the paper is writing about. The newspapers website has a video journals, over 30 blogs written by members of the community are also hosted on the website and as well as the transparent newsroom.
The Spokesman Review is not your typical newspaper which disseminates information that people need to make informed decision, but a part of a public space through which citizens connect with one another. The newspaper through its pages and websites connects the community on topical issues, from politics to parenting. Undertaking extensive coverage of issues to promote public understanding, constantly giving the citizens a chance to have a say on issues happening in the community.
