Bookraft

All the News Fit to Print has long been the motto of the New York Times. Now it is seeing the very blogs that are its come-uppance coming into its printed paper market but at substantially reduced costs. The bet of ThePrintedBlog is that a targeted, weekly, free but printed newspapers based on blog material can do well despite the demise of some of the biggest newspaper franchises.

But this invasion of the newspaper body snatchers has another side as well. The New York Times has become one of the most sophisticated bloggers itself among newspapers. It has at least 2 or 3 of its own blogs each for such topics as finance, world news, sports, technology, fashion, etc. And these are top notch blogs with comments, ratings, and other participation and feedback options available to readers. Take a look at the Great Debates Blog which takes on some of the most contentious issues and presents many divergent points of views on the topics. Sounds like must reading for the Obama administrators.

In sum, the New York Times will rely on its motto to eventually more than earn its keep - All the News Fit to Print. The quality, authority, timeliness and rich graphic formatting of its news reporters will hopefully make it the place to be as readers gravitate towards authoritative sources. However, don't leave out matters of opinion and entertainment. The Times appears to flirting through its Magazine and Review of Books to cartoons, satire, and telling artistic commentary. It also has a media edition which is so far just scratching the surface of what could be done. Can you imagine video reviews of movies or Broadway plays that illustrate the point taken ? I can - but the NYTimes is still not doing it. So the opportunity window is still open. Finally a lot of success will depend on those blogs as being areas for conversations whose depth, breadth, civility and personal approachability will make people want to be at the NYTimes - a comfortable meeting place for ideas that is the under pinning of friendship. Is it happening yet? No. Does it have the possibility of getting closer. Yes indeed.

PS: Here is a wonderful New Yorker take on the Demise of the Newspaper