Some tips on reporters and blogs
The editor of the Kansas City Star, which has a political blog to which reporters file posts here, has written something for the Associated Press Managing Editors site about what the newspaper tells its staffers when it comes to the blog and the approach they should take. The piece is here — and here’s an excerpt:
At The Star, we tried to make the bar settings clear – but at somewhat different levels for print and online. A pinch of voice and a pound of edginess permeate our postings. But not opinion. Keith Chrostowski, deputy national editor who helped create our concept, set up these rules of engagement:
1. Editing. We still do it, albeit on the fly.
2. Tone. It must be light, not condescending or hurtful.
3. Edginess. We apply it to all posts where appropriate, in an odd way being “fair” to all.
4. Reality. Entries must be based on something “real” that we can verify.
5. Response. Everybody gets a chance to respond, although sometimes in a later posting.
6. Scorecard. The editor keeps a loose score of negative and positive, trying to keep it balanced over time.
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