How start-ups play in the new media circle

My esteemed friend and former colleague Benet Wilson yesterday points us to a column in the Washington Post written by media critic Howard Kurtz. In it, Kurtz discusses start-up media ventures.

At a time where media companies are cutting back and laying off in droves, many former newspaper reporters are creating new start-up ventures aimed at keeping alive the idea of investigative journalism.

Kurtz mentions the Voice of San Diego. I had some prior interaction with one of their education reporters, Emily Alpert. In doing some investigative writing for my former blog, Guilford School Watch, I followed the story of a former local school superintendent who, then, was just hired away from central North Carolina bound for San Diego. I was also quoted as part of Alpert's investigative story.

These start-up news sites have intrinsic value. Not only that, we should applaud and support those individuals that have the sense and dedication to bring us the complete story and the inside picture of what is happening in our communities.

E.C. :)