I read the local paper and lots of magazines, and I agree with Peter Coffees perception that the local newspaper produces an edited, verified product [Epicenters, “Search for Significance,” Oct. 23]. However, not every newspaper does. Its the same thing with television and radio (think Howard Stern).
When writing about the benefits [of newspapers], media folks always tout The New York Times or The Times of London and then compare those publications to wacko Web sites. There are a lot of good Web sites and a lot of wacko newspapers, too.
The Web is simply another form of media, and folks will do with it the same as always. Vetted sites will attract some traffic, but the unvetted ones will attract more.
Consider this: The No. 1-selling newspaper in America is the Weekly World News, a tabloid of the same ilk as The National Enquirer. It sells more than USA Today, which is often used (erroneously, in my opinion) as a good example of an actual newspaper.
Mike Moxcey
Computer Specialist
Wildlife Services IT Center
Fort Collins, Colo.
Thank you for Peter Coffees Oct. 23 Epicenters column, “Search for Significance.” It gave voice to and crystallized my own concerns about the implications of user-generated media for the future.
Chandra J. Hosek