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Press Here
This news media blog explores the nexus between the press, the public and technology with two missions.
One, to engage citizens in an online conversation about the role of the news media in their lives, in the hope that they will use and critique the media more effectively. And secondly to explore how the press can remain relevant, essential and accountable to citizens and communities.
Mike Fancher is Editor at Large of The Seattle Times.
E-mail Mike Fancher | 206.464.2330 |
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January 30, 2008 7:31 PM
What's red and blue in the middle of the road?
Posted by Mike Fancher
It's not some version of the South Lake Union trolley; it's a new Web site called redblueamerica.com, with the subtitle "Best thinking. Both sides."
The site is the brainchild of John Temple, editor and publisher of Denver's Rocky Mountain News. He writes:
Redblueamerica.com is a place for people interested in what the other half thinks on the important and compelling issues of the day. It's a place where they'll always find the best thinkers on their own side stacked up against the best thinkers on the other side, a place for a lively and civil conversation about the topics people are talking about - or should be talking about.
My experience as a journalist has taught me that it's far too common today for people to listen only to voices that reinforce their own views.Thoughtful people on both sides have lamented this problem...I don't think that's where we want to be as a country.
Press Here to read his column about the origin of the site.
Is there a middle place in a time of hyper-partisanship? I hope so. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Update: I asked John Temple to comment on the new site. He wrote:
"It’s been an enormous amount of work. We’ve learned a lot. And continue to learn. The response has been gratifying, but at the same time whenever you launch a new web site you’re always faced with the challenge of building traffic. It’s a competitive world.
"We had a major ad agency contact us on the first or second day, one that represented big-name national companies, interested in the concept. So they got it and saw that it might attract a good audience. We’ve had many readers tell us they appreciate the approach. But we’ve also found that some readers don’t find it easy to use the site - this even though we first did focus groups, then did usability tests - and we’re working on making it easier to use."
Apr 30, 08 - 10:00 PM
-- 30 --
Apr 29, 08 - 02:20 PM
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Apr 25, 08 - 03:55 PM
A "welcome ad"? I don't think so.
Apr 18, 08 - 11:30 AM
Technical fouls in the Sonics fan forum
Apr 15, 08 - 04:10 PM
Citizen journalism may be a bitter pill for some

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Posted by Joel Mathis
8:13 AM, Jan 31, 2008
Mike: Thanks for the acknowledgment! We're really enjoying the conversations at redblueamerica.com, and hope more people come to join us. We're live-blogging the Democratic debate tonight -- just like we did for last night's debate.
http://redblueamerica.com/blog/2008-01-30/republican-debate-liveblogging-691
I hope folks will join us for it!
Joel
joel@redblueamerica.com