Truemors
I think that NP's current selection of topic areas is valid and well-considered. All the same, as contributors grow, there is sure to be an expansion in themes. There are historical, tangential, even "trivial" areas that have relevance to the news. They aren't opinion in the op-ed sense, and may be every bit as objective as the content in the established categories.
Please refer to the discussion thread in this story http://www.nowpublic.com/those-who-misquote-george-santayana-are-condemned-paraphrase-him for some detailed and lively (yet civil) discussion of this issue (or trend, if you will).
Anyone up for a discussion?
Contributed by denseatoms http://members.nowpublic.com/denseatoms
at 19:40 on September 3rd, 2007
Hi, I see you got this discussion going, thanks.
What type of category do you envision? What would you name it? How would you make it clear that the topic is for original writing only? Or do you see it as being both original writing and/or news out-takes plus original commentary?
Per the thread discussion, is there a need for say, a religion category?
at 06:34 on September 4th, 2007
A "Features" section would be useful. It would differ from "Opinions News" in that it should incorporate outside material or sources: opinion pieces, on the other hand, can be completely subjective. This broad area could include a number of narrower topics: history, arts, science -- things that are not necessarily of a "breaking news," "this just in" nature, but that impact comtemporary culture and are worth knowing. NP's dictum, "“Tell me something new about something I care about" would in this case become "“Tell me something interesting about something I care about. Surprise me!” This would also be a great area for the kind of original interviews (print and now video) that newcorrespondent and others will want to do.
"Feature" items could be entirely original, especially if they came from someone who was an expert in the field. My own expertise, outside of librarianship, is language -- but I would include other sources in almost any "Feature" piece I would write, to spice up the piece and add credibilty. After all, I learned from others, except in a few cases of independent discovery.
How to distinguish it from "Opinion News"? I suppose I'd define "Features" as essays, narratives, first-hand accounts, reminiscences, memoirs and impressions of an infinite variety of topics. They can be subjective, objective or somewhere in between. The difference from "Opinion News" is that opinion pieces are properly partisan and even polemical, and here is the forum for scrappy, lively debate. "Features," though often informed by a clear point of view, are first and foremost informational stories, whose purpose is to inform, entertain and even to educate the viewers. They are the subtance that underlies the tip of the "Breaking News" iceberg.
I think, too, that "Features" would attract a good number of contributors whose interests lie outside of the "Breaking News" area but who could fortify NP with a great deal of wonderful information. This new content area could also buttress NP as it seeks credibility as an alternative news source to the rot on cable media.
I had originally proposed other categories (like "History News") but now believe that "Features" would cover almost everything. But you mentioned an important exception: religion. This is perhaps the most deeply-felt area of all for most contributors, and deserves its own niche. Maybe there would be more respect accorded to conributors and commenters if a "Religion" area existed.
Thanks, PEP. Hope this helps.
at 14:04 on September 4th, 2007
Accidental duplication of above comment. Sorry.
at 17:51 on September 4th, 2007
In reply to #3 denseatoms at 14:04 on September 4th, 2007
That's OK, denseatoms. It happens.
at 05:03 on October 3rd, 2007
Note for PEP: Any progress in this area?
at 23:22 on October 3rd, 2007
In reply to #5 denseatoms at 05:03 on October 3rd, 2007
I don't know. I do know that NP is working on some things for us, but not exactly what yet. :)
at 03:42 on October 4th, 2007
In reply to #6 PEP at 23:22 on October 3rd, 2007
Fair enough. Thanks. I'll keep posted.
at 11:52 on October 30th, 2007
New Topic Suggestion
Please allow me to suggest adding topics relevant to K-12 student reporting interest.
In doing so, NP is in a position to increase it's membership stats, as well as, providing
K-12 schools from across the world an educational tool. In light of the fact that NP is
a highly respected & well known news source, both students & teachers would jump at
the opportunity to have their news stories published on this medium. There is also the
chance that NP might receive $$$ from the U.S. Dept. of Education for such an endeavor.
With the proper marketing, PR and management of K-12 student reporting content, NP
is in a position to grow & to enhance it's corporate social responsibility image. A win-win
scenario.
at 16:13 on October 30th, 2007
Follow-up to New Topic Suggestion
Related blog/news relevant to student reporting content.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9806561-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
at 02:09 on November 2nd, 2008
Wellhiring.Com - New powerful job board in USA. Job search.
at 06:37 on November 4th, 2008
Hello members.nowpublic.com members,
Lets make a pool for a best internet browser!
I for example like Internet Explorer most...
So, whats your favourite browser guys? [img]http://picforyou.info/img/652/x08o1101gzqw/happy0024.gif[/img]
P.S. Sorry if it is wrong category.