Dome Going Under?
2009-07-15 - by
When Pat Stith left the N&O, John Drescher promised that the paper’s investigative role would not lesson. He kept that promise.
Now, with Ryan Teague Beckwith gone, can the N&O maintain the momentum he gave Under the Dome?
So far, the answer is no. Dome lacks the speed and bite Beckwith had.
Here’s the acid test: I no longer feel the need to check Dome on-line every couple of hours. It’s usually the same old stuff.
Beckwith brought an energy and immediacy that seems to be missing now.
Dome will continue with several good N&O and Charlotte Observer reporters, but it was Beckwith who provided a distinct flavor to the blog without letting his own personality get in the way of delivering up-to-date and interesting political news. Dome readers know that it was not unusual to see Beckwith posting updates over long hours. If he wasn’t a 24/7 presence, it was close. On his busiest day, May 6-7, 2008, Beckwith and interns posted 83 news items. In just over two years as of Friday, Dome had 9,735 posts. That is a lot of state political news that probably would not have existed without Dome.
Dome gives the N&O one of its few on-line edges. They need to move fast to keep that edge.
Posted in General
Dome Going Under?
2009-07-15/
When Pat Stith left the N&O, John Drescher promised that the paper’s investigative role would not lesson. He kept that promise.
Now, with Ryan Teague Beckwith gone, can the N&O maintain the momentum he gave Under the Dome?
So far, the answer is no. Dome lacks the speed and bite Beckwith had.
Here’s the acid test: I no longer feel the need to check Dome on-line every couple of hours. It’s usually the same old stuff.
Beckwith brought an energy and immediacy that seems to be missing now.
Dome will continue with several good N&O and Charlotte Observer reporters, but it was Beckwith who provided a distinct flavor to the blog without letting his own personality get in the way of delivering up-to-date and interesting political news. Dome readers know that it was not unusual to see Beckwith posting updates over long hours. If he wasn’t a 24/7 presence, it was close. On his busiest day, May 6-7, 2008, Beckwith and interns posted 83 news items. In just over two years as of Friday, Dome had 9,735 posts. That is a lot of state political news that probably would not have existed without Dome.
Dome gives the N&O one of its few on-line edges. They need to move fast to keep that edge.
Posted in General