Engagement is an issue for any organization today.
From businesses hoping to excite employees into better performance, to charitable organizations seeking volunteers and cash, organizations need positive, enthusiastic participation.
Not surprisingly, politics at all levels has seen interest wane to tragic levels of disinterest, bordering on indifference.
The reasons for apathy are legion, but part of that malaise includes the media that is charged with reporting News and offering analysis not doing a thorough job. Often, cuts in the Newsroom have led to shortcuts in practicing the craft of journalism which, like it or not, is the fundamental foundation of a functioning democracy.
Having identified industry shortcomings, we fear sometimes that civilized society has lost the ability to discuss issues.
In these heady, partisan times, the public tends to choose sides too quickly. Other times, when not provided with enough detail to make qualified statements, people opt instead for a shoulder shrug and move on to another subject.
While our publication makes every effort to be thorough and ask thoughtful questions, there are times even we miss something.
Other News organizations intent on being chummy with their subjects by avoiding ticklish issues or controversies are not doing the public any favours when it comes to making government work better. Running press releases verbatim, all the time, or hosting scripted “News” shows is not a community service, and in some cases serves as a shameful endorsement.
In keeping with our hopes of providing excellent reporting for citizens here, we are adding a new mechanism for engagement with our readers.
The time has come to employ a commenting feature on our website.
Here, we hope readers will post comments to aid in our efforts to help tell the story. Whether the item is a serious News story on government waste or proposed bylaws that will affect citizens in their neighbourhoods, there will be a chance to express your opinion about that and share it with other readers.
Further to that point, good News stories will benefit from additional comments readers might like to post about a special anniversary or remembrance related to the original article.
The responsibility of high standards will rest with our editor Chris Daponte.
Like most other forums like this, we have a mechanism to identify troubling posts that either cross the line of decency or are grossly unfair to the subjects in the article.
The letters page in the Advertiser has long advocated a policy whereby names and place of origin are required in order for the letter to be published. Most forums on-line are less strict about this point, giving posters the chance to use their real name or an alias.
We can see in some cases where that function would prove useful, say for a whistleblower that has something to say but fears a job loss. Although aliases will be allowed on our forum, through the log-in process we will know the details of the registered party.
In order to have a fair and transparent forum, we’ll keep an eye out for indiscretions that tarnished reputations elsewhere – for example, a politician praising themselves under a pseudonym.
As we enter this age of digital engagement, we look forward to thoughtful dialogue and a heightened sense of awareness on issues that affect readers here.
