Today, Editor and Publisher’s Joe Strupp discusses the challenges newspapers are facing today with what content they release on the web to make themselves more transparent and, in some cases, maintain readership that continues to slip as more and more readers put down their paper product and move toward the Internet. He cites the Spokane, Wash., Spokesman Review as a newspaper that “gets it” when it comes to Internet transparency.

“The Spokesman-Review may be one of the best examples of the newspaper industry's newfound embrace of transparency. Among the first to post raw reporting materials on its Web site and open up news meetings via a daily webcast, the Spokane daily sees its future bound to Web-related openness.”

The Spokeman’s web site features their “Transparent Newsroom,” allowing readers the following options:

• News in Conversation


• Daily Briefing


• Ask the Editors


• Live webcasts


• Future of the Newsroom


• Finding the Frame


• RPS Coverage Review (local feature)

I watched one of the editorial meetings via archived webcast. While the video player was a little small on the screen, it was refreshing to have a firsthand look at what decisions the newspaper was making in real-time. As a former reporter, there were numerous times I wasn’t allowed in many editorial meetings at my own newspaper, so I appreciate the transparency the Spokesman is trying to achieve.

Even the Detroit Free Press has moved to a more blog-like feel for their web site after a recent redesign, which was met with both praise and criticism.

Newspapers have a long way to go in terms of finding a “happy medium” between their print and online products. By becoming transparent, newspapers can set themselves up to remain favorable in public opinion as more and more people demand more and more information online.