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The new Scoop should have a clear seperation between original content and PR

HC Harry Chapman Public Seen by 141

Just an idea I thought I'd throw out to you all for discussion: the new scoop should have a separation between opinion pieces and press releases.

I.e. if you want blog posts and editorial pieces, you go to Pundit or Werewolf or something similar. If you want press releases hot off the PR-keyboard, go to scoop.co.nz. Basically a clear separation between original content and straight PR.

I find the mix of stuff at scoop.co.nz at the moment a bit confusing - what exactly is it serving up?

BE

Sun 25 Jan 2015 9:33PM

i agree.

HC

Poll Created Sun 25 Jan 2015 9:39PM

The new Scoop should have a clear seperation between original content and PR Closed Fri 27 Feb 2015 9:04PM

Outcome
by Harry Chapman Wed 26 Apr 2017 11:08AM

Decision blocked due to vague/inappropriate wording. Wording will be changed in a new decision so that it is a recommendation

Results

Results Option % of points Voters
Agree 80.0% 4 JB HC A RB
Abstain 0.0% 0  
Disagree 0.0% 0  
Block 20.0% 1 AT
Undecided 0% 21 JV JC MS IA NH K BL ME AT S SB P JW EE BE PS AR DW RA SH

5 of 26 people have participated (19%)

RB

Ron Beernink
Agree
Sun 25 Jan 2015 9:57PM

Scoop often gives the impression of being an 'opinion' site. That is great, but what we first most need is an independent / unbiased news site. Opinions should be given in context of the news, or as separate 'blogging' content.

A

al
Agree
Sun 25 Jan 2015 11:33PM

Yes a clear distinction.
However press releases and (self) promotional material could also have an link to an editorial introduction - with a description - of the source.

HC

Harry Chapman
Agree
Mon 26 Jan 2015 12:05AM

A seperation will make it clear to readers what Scoop is for

JB

Jason Brown
Agree
Sat 14 Feb 2015 7:27PM

A logo-based system would give readers quick visual cues about the nature and source of press releases versus news stories.

AT

Alastair Thompson
Block
Wed 25 Feb 2015 7:14PM

This forum is not a decision making body. If the proposal were reworded as a recommendation I would be happy for it to go through.

JW

Jim Whitman Mon 26 Jan 2015 6:16AM

Hi
I think it's great that Scoop makes it clear that it's publishing a press release and includes details of its source, particularly since MSM (main stream media) might simply rebadge and rejig the press release and we are non the wiser. I'd like to see clear source details continue to wrap the unedited PR.
In the web world we can use hyper links to other content that we wish to quote and it's great to make sure this ALWAYS happens unless we're using recollection, or the material can't be linked to.
Pure 'news'? I can't remember when I last saw one of those. A truly difficult area of content to strive to present. This deserves an extended discussion. I'd always be happy to publish anything I'd ever strive to write as 'mine'. People can make up their own minds. And rather than a national monopoly on pure news - a gold standard like the BBC or RNZ etc. - I like Twitter because of its diversity and I'm in control of the filter(s). But big outlets command much needed resources to 'be there' so perhaps the big outlets should be forced to be more diverse. I'm fed up with bankster economists, CIA politics, the U.S. propaganda, EU paltryness, and I still welcome the fresh air that Aljazeera brings. I thought it was wonderful, for all its own biases, when it emerged. We need more, not fewer sources.
So I better take a break.
Jim

AT

Alastair Thompson Tue 27 Jan 2015 7:53AM

Hi. The way it currently works is that editorial content is for the most part in the Scoops wire. The other wires have press release content.

The exception to this rule is that BusinessDesk chose to put their editorial content in the Business Wire.

The issue you raise is one of information architecture and it has been raised by others. Things have been the way they are now for a long time (arguably 18 years).

A rethink of how to manage this will definitely be on the agenda for a redesign and separation of PR from editorial does indeed need to be clear.

That said I would note that Scoop does clearly label its content as Press Release, Article, Opinion, Speech or Column. This is not the case on voxy.co.nz where Press Releases are presented as if they are editorial.

IA

Ian Apperley Tue 27 Jan 2015 7:51PM

I had thought that they were distinguished? Usually it is marked at the top of the page. I agree, the regurgitation of press releases posing as "news" is a pet hate. Computerworld are fabulous at this, it's just junk content.

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