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Local blogger Ben Somberg writes in to let us know he's had just about enough of front page stories about Facebook from the Washington Post. And he's got the evidence to prove he's not just a big whiner: since September of 2006, the Post has now devoted A1 space to stories about the social networking site a total of 15 times, by Somberg's count. Today's story, penned by youth reporter Ian Shapira, focuses on those rare individuals who aren't too old for Facebook, but still refuse to participate. Says Somberg: "It's alright, though I don't see exactly what it adds -- I don't leave the story having learned much I didn't already know. It belongs inside, not on Page 1."
WaPo Devotes More Front Page Inches to Facebook
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This is getting very meta - a blog commenting on another blog's take on a not-news WaPo story.
We already know the buyouts have had a negative impact on the quality of WaPo articles. Surely there is REAL news out there somewhere?
Regretfully, I read this story this morning. I am not a news snob like those people who write letters to the editor complaining about content that makes into the paper when there are "two wars, economic catastrophe, and a health care crisis going on *exasperated sigh*" I enjoy the Style section and think there is a place for this type of story. As for this story in particular...it would have been generous to include it in the Style section.
What Mr. Somberg is missing here is this is the Post's camel's nose under the tent that will eventually lead to turning over the entire paper to social networking sites so they no longer have to pay actual reporters. Already the Post and other news media prefer to ask random people with no specific knowledge of a situation what they think about important issues rather than doing any actual reporting.
Why hire a sports writer when you can get scores, stats, and background from unpaid people at the games? Except for insightful analysis and profound quotes from the athletes or coaches, sports reporters don't add much value. It's only a matter of time before that same idea invades the newsroom. After all, any random tourist on the street is likely to have a better grasp on the health care debate than Michele Bachmann.
facebook, what is that?
but seriously, I don't use it. I live with a facebook zombie but for me, I have no use for it.
I guess I am one of the rare individuals the article talks about.