With all the talk about using member posts in the newspapers, I thought members might like a little founders' perspective - and a list manager caution.
When I created the list, one of my hopes would be that it would be a prod AND an aid to the local media (which of course I am a member of). A prod, in that members would critique local coverage and an aid, because our always-interesting discussions would provide diligent reporters (and almost all are diligent) with MORE information about local goings-on and MORE ammo to convince their editors to run city-oriented stories. I would say we've succeeded on both levels. The public (if not always our inboxes) has benefited, thanks to reporters. So I'd like to encourage members to regard their posts as public, and encourage reporters to read our posts and use the most interesting of our thoughts. That said, there are some courtesies and professional responsibilities I'd recommend. To reporters, just a reminder that email addresses can, occasionally, be faked. (We've had two known spoofers since I've been list manager - one quite recently.) Unlike overhearing a comment on a street corner - where you can actually see the commenter - cyberspace offers a much higher level of anonymity and misdirection. So make sure the person you are quoting is really that person. To members: copyrights go both ways. While you retain the rights to your posts, "fair use" means the media can selectively and sparingly quote you. HOWEVER, newspapers, TV, magazines, etc. also retain THEIR copyrights. So, as a courtesy, please don't post entire articles here - that's the reason I post links to websites instead. Posting links means people read the full story on the website of the organization that made it, which they like. Also, it means members don't have to worry that an article has been selectively edited. It's ok to post a couple of paragraphs with the link if you want to. Including a link in your post isn't hard. Usually, all you need to do is highlight the link in your browser's address window (either by clicking on the window/address and hitting the copy icon or right-click and copy, or by dragging your cursor over the link and doing the same thing). David Brauer List manager by avocation, editor by vocation TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
