JR's column is about using newspaper blogs to build community, following on Robin Roger's thesis on that subject.

It's a fine article, useful to print readers to whom John is still explaining the internets. And JR does tip his hat to local independent bloggers "who have strong voices that bring unique perspectives to the civic discussion."

But there is more to be said about local blogs in terms of building community, including the N&R community.

Independent bloggers link to the paper all the time, discuss its articles, and often advance the conversation. N&R blogs also link to, and are inspired by, indy sites, and the paper draws story ideas from the local 'sphere. The N&R has also combed the local scene for contributors to its print edition.

Blogs of all types have helped break down the walls between the paper and the community. The N&R is more accessible, more human, more a part of real life than ever before, not just because of its own web presence, but because of the independent blogs in its larger community.

Comments

[John Robinson]

All true, Ed. I'd have gone there, too, in the column, but decided that too many of my newspaper readers still need to be educated to what blogs are and that, like, they're OK and not on the lesser side of a bar fight on the wrong side of town.