We recently read a about a journalism conference held by large media outlets to discuss the rising tide of reader involvement via the internet. It seems that readers feel much more comfortable contacting “the media” when that contact is only a click away. We ourselves have sent emails to columnists at Newsday on occasion, while if we had to track down a phone number or postal address, we probably wouldn’t have bothered.

Although our readers have always submitted large quantities of material via traditional routes, what used to be a trickle of emailed material has become a veritable tidal wave. We think this is just great, both because it makes it easier for our contributors, and also because it streamlines the processing of articles and photos.

The more people feel they are contributors, the more they feel a sense of ownership of the newspaper, which is good for us and good for the community as a whole.

What seems to be changing nationally, though, is that readers (and viewers and listeners) of large media outlets are also starting to add their two cents. We wonder whether those journalists will welcome the input of the masses or whether they will turn up their noses at it. It should be interesting to watch.

Meg Morgan Norris Publisher