Editor and Publisher writes that the Washington Post is about to enable comments on all online articles:
Washingtonpost.com, taking a bold step, has enabled user comments on many of its stories for over a month now — and the move has been deemed a success by the site’s editors. But soon the feature will be put to the test as it is extended to every article on the site, including those in the Politics, World and Nation sections.
Polimom is unsurprised to read that WaPo will be moderating comments heavily, complete with staff dedicated to culling for personal flames and the unruly nastiness the anonymous online world sometimes exhibits.
I ‘spect they’ll have their hands full.
From a blogging perspective, the concept is fascinating. Will others follow suit? And if they do, how will that affect the political blogosphere? I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t have an impact.
And they’re not limiting the exercise to mere commenting features:
Looking forward, Brady says the site will soon enable readers to upload photos from breaking news events and enter first-hand accounts of events that could be routed to reporters and used in articles. He also says that the site is looking to create a social networking platform to encourage interaction and relationships among readers.
Polimom’s betting they learned something from all the live blogging that went on during Katrina. The MSM didn’t hold up well against the bloggers during that event.
Locally, of course, the Houston Chronicle has been pressing the envelope with their own exploration of this strange new interactive media. I wonder what the Chron’s ever-fruitful minds will come up with to compete with this?
It’ll have to be good, cuz WaPo is raising the bar…