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Hello everyone,

So, here I was playing Wordslinger at 12:30am, when out of the blue it occured to me that someone senior (with NP, not in age ;) doing a series of IRC or chat interviews with our freelancers might be a great idea.

Email interviews aren't any good, since people can take days to think about and answer their questions - and I'm sure that spontaneity is key for a good interview.

An 'appointment' can be made with the person to meet in a registered private interview room at a particular time on IRC., in which to conduct the interviews. (I can set this up for NP., if IRC., is foreign to the interviewer.)

Questions such as:

Why did you decide to work for NP?

Where do you look for your news stories?

How do you confirm them?

Is there a structure to the way you write your story?

Yadda yadda yadda ....

There could be a repository of literally dozens of questions that would be good to ask, that could be thought out in a think-tank session between the editors and wranglers on IRC.

Once that's been done, the interviewer simply selects the twenty or so questions that he wants to ask of that particular person at that time.

This way, as the NP., journalists read "Journalist Interview of the Week" they won't be able to predict which questions they'll receive and already have tailor made answers ready.

The other advantage to having the interviews, is that less experienced freelancers can learn a lot by reading the interviews and come to know what kind of journalism is expected of them.

Thanks for reading my constructive idea for the week - input anyone?
~ Swan

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Swan

at 12:18 on January 23rd, 2008

Oh boy!

This must have been one lousy idea of mine, to sit here for over a week with no responses.
~ Swan

ryan

at 08:51 on January 29th, 2008

Actually, I think this is a great idea. I just saw it now for the first time.

We had started a program where we interview different NP Contributors for the weekly podcast. But the podcasthas been put on hold for a bit. When it gets revived I think Contributor interviews will be the focus.

Swan

at 08:57 on January 29th, 2008

Hello Ryan!

That's good news - for reporters, Now Public and our readers. :)
~ Swan

René

at 02:59 on January 31st, 2008

The problems with that, swan, is that someone like me who has been here for over a year, now finds that 'senior' means nothing!

There are people on this site making decisions that I do not know where they come from. or why they get to make these decisions. they obviously are getting the money. now that money is in the equation, fr some.

Like Rob for instance. among others.

Once upon a time, I followed a link to a story about scientists freezing light, and found this interesting possible news alternative community. the problem is, it is no longer so alternative and is more like a follower of the mainstream media and is alienating many of the great contibutors it used to have.

Swan

at 17:24 on January 31st, 2008

Hello René,

Well, perhaps the interviews will help towards clearing that issue up!

We can begin the interviews with the owners of NP - then do any others with crowns - then the wranglers - and finally those citizen reporters who have proven themselves worthy of being called reporters.

I think those who cut and paste articles only, or give only a brief paragraph at the beginnning, that tells you exactly the same thing as what the article tells you - cannot be referred to even as citizen reporters - they are contributors to NP - that's it.

There are more and more of these cutters and pasters appearing by the way - it's so frustrating.

As for being senior and not getting paid - NP is still in its infancy as far as sites like this go. I got paid for all my articles with Associated Content (and still receive residuals for them,) but I prefer the atmosphere over here - so this is where I am most of the time.

At the moment, I wouldn't expect NP to pay it's wranglers just because of seniority. However, I would imagine that the editors are paid, since they probably spend a full day working only for Now Public
~ Swan

politisite

at 22:22 on January 31st, 2008

Swan: There is some value in cut and paste articles. Some of us, when not writing a full article or covering a story, go through a great deal of news, select what we think is best, and cut and paste the article to NP. Sometimes I add the little blurb you are talking about to the article or connect several articles to give several sides of one story. Editors do this all of the time, chosing what folks might want in the paper or on a website. Like you I get paid elsewhere but chose to work on this community because of its potential. Rather then trying to promote my website all the time or my blog, I leave it to the reader of my articles, when I write them, to descide whether they want to go to my profile and find out more about me.

This was a good idea, don't fret about the forum as I have noticed my comments don't get a responce right away sometimes as most folks are here to read interesting articles that are original or cherry picked news by editors.

Others, Like yourself, are creative writers and write a story, two, or three a day. For me, I only write an article in politics when I have first hand knowledge, have sources in the field, or breaking news. I also write technical articles, using research materials, that compare and contrast candidates running for office. If the AP has a better take then I can provide, I cut and paste so others can enjoy what I have read. I don't expect a check as good stuff for that and they are on and off in a short period of time.

We all bring differant talents to NP like America, it is a social microcosim of society.

Swan

at 08:18 on February 1st, 2008

Hello Politisite,

.. and thank you for your reply.

I wasn't pointing fingers. I was simply shining a light on the differences between the way stories are reported on Now Public. If everyone did nothing but cut and paste - you couldn't really call Now Public a news site.

It becomes simply a repository for articles that some people found interesting. Especially, when some of the articles pasted are a few days old.

I always take a look at your articles and enjoy what you write freelance when it's either more or balanced with the pasted material. Frankly, with your lifestyle, I think you have a lot to offer in your own words.
~ Swan

politisite

at 10:55 on February 1st, 2008

Swan:

I am in agreement with you in all points. I just wanted to point out some of what I do. I wasn't responding because I was being defensive. I just wanted to share my view. I think all of us, can do better than the MSM when we focus on our expertise. With you, you seem to have a grip on many subject areas.

I also see an excitement and interest level in you that will encourage others.

I will be very busy on Super Tuesday. Following things get a bit more reasonable in my life. I don't share this with many, but I am a disabled veteran and the trips to debates and appearances take a good bit of energy out of me. Sometimes I have three-four days of recooperation following an event. I just will not allow my various illness to keep me from doing the things I love. Sometimes, I can't get to an event due to illness but I keep charging ahead with waxes and wanes in my life. Becomming ill and than retiring from the work I loved (psychiartry AND veterans) has tought me a great deal about what matters in life.

Swan

at 13:37 on February 1st, 2008

Hello Politisite, :)

Thank you for feeling comfortable enough to share your personal details with us. I think it says a lot about the amiable and respectful atmosphere that we've all managed to cultivate between ourselves - especially with the ongoing recognition and support of our work by visitors to our articles.

You visit my site regularly Politisite and I guess now is as good a time as any, to thank you for your ongoing support.

Try not to let Super Tuesday define your future health Politisite - we need you back with us!
~ Swan