Interactive Newspapers

My local paper does a great job of hosting on-line chats to engage their readers.

So every Wednesday from 1100am to noon I find myself teeing up questions for our food critic. I am not sure why I do this. Is it for the pleasure of seeing my name, ok alias, up in lights? Am I really going to get any more insight into the local dining scene, or do I just love reading people's rant about their experiences with food and service? For me it really comes down to the interaction. There is a bit of a pile on mentality on this site, and the food ciritc does a good job on tapping down the insurrectionists. Today I asked about Minibar and if there was a trick into getting reservations. I know the answer I wanted to see what he said. The best part about this online chat is that you get to see trends in restaurants and progression in a restaurant. One trend that distrubs is on appropriate dinner clothes. I dont like to see people dressed down at dinner. Its a night out, do it up, look good..anyway.

I also read the business on-line chat. This reporter does a great job about getting the truth out there and making the wonkiest of economic theory and practice understandable. he did avery good job of explainig the bank bailout, the recovery package and the differences between the two. this was highly educational and informative. It was like the Financial Times for Dummies.

What i am waiitng for is interactive movie reviewing. thsi would be the ultimate in comment wars. The destruction and defense of movies and actors. bring it on.

Demand your local papers conduct online chats so that you can see how important the newspaper is to your community. So read the Washington Post and use the interactive chats its very enlightening and you can do your part to steer people at good places.