■ 01 June 2009 | 6:42 PM
A new philosophy for blogs and columns
Beginning Monday, June 8, Kerry Dougherty and Mike Gruss will concentrate their online work on their PilotOnline.com blogs. And you’ll now find their columns only in The Virginian-Pilot.
Online, you'll be able to read their latest opinions, post comments and interact with other users all in one place: their blogs.
In print and in ePilot - the digital copy of The Pilot - you'll still be able to read their full columns. ePilot is free to Virginian-Pilot subscribers and only $5 a month for non-subscribers.
Why are we doing this? The newspaper industry is going through tough economic times, and it just makes good business sense to charge a reasonable, competitive price for our unique printed product, while still offering free information and conversation on our advertiser-supported Web sites.
So read Kerry’s blog free online; get her column on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays in the Hampton Roads section of The Pilot or ePilot. Read Mike’s blog free online; get his column on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in The Daily Break section of The Pilot or ePilot.
Starting Monday, June 15, op-ed columns -- by Roger Chesley, Donald Luzzatto, Christina Nuckols, Daryl Lease and Candy Hatcher -- also will be available only in the print newspaper and in ePilot. Editorials and the Letters to the Editor blog will remain online so readers can comment on and debate them.
For information about newspaper and ePilot subscriptions, call 1-800-446-2005 or visit this page.
Questions? Comments? Opinions? Post them in the comments here.
Thanks for reading.
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This makes sense
I understand that this makes sense. I read the paper every day but I also like to go on line to the blogs. I have a subscription in my wife's name, I sure hope that counts. She doesn't read the paper near as much as I do and she doesn't get on the blogs at all.
(Why are we doing this? The
(Why are we doing this? The newspaper industry is going through tough economic times, and it just makes good business sense to charge a reasonable, competitive price for our unique printed product, while still offering free information and conversation on our advertiser-supported Web sites.)
Well guess WHAT Mike & Kerry alot of people are going to do without reading your columns.
I guess the pilot is trying to justify your salary with additional fees?PPPLEASE!
This epitomizes the old adage:
"you can give it, but you can't take it"! I'm sure that by keeping these items in the paper itself, they won't generate as much immediate reader commentary. It's a cold day in heck when ever the Pilot's Editorial writers, as individuals, produce a column that doesn't warrant ridicule. But, that's what happens when the only consideration for a position there is being a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat! This isn't ecomonics at issue, it their cowardice!
Good riddance (except to Kerry)
The notion of paying for this left-wing drivel is a joke!
When Op-Ed is not Op-Ed
What's the point of having Op-Eds written by the same people who write the editorials?
Kind of defeats the point of having them.
Kerry and Mike's blogs
Just wanted to let you know this change was driven by a much simpler objective. We want to differentiate our print and online products and leverage the strengths of the media. Online, a blog makes more sense. You all can talk/discuss/argue back and forth and others can chime in.
So check out Mike's blog http://hamptonroads.com/blogs/mike-gruss and Kerry's blog http://hamptonroads.com/blogs/kerry-dougherty and share your reactions to their latest posts. I think you'll find most of what you liked about their columns.
Thank you for using our websites.
Elizabeth
Nice try, Elizabeth
But no cigar. Of course that is perfectly fine with the Pilot editorial staff as they don't believe anyone should be able to enjoy one in a private place of business, even if it is the owner him/herself.
As I said in my previous post, you took away the ability to subscribe to your print version from those of us on the Eastern Shore. I'll be daggoned if I'm going to pay you for an online version of your continual assaults on everything this nation was founded upon other than your favorite 4 words: freedom of the press
You either adhere to the ENTIRE body of the Constitution or you jeopardize all of it.
"differentiate our print and online products"
The future of the print press will depend on a synergy with electronic media. You need to spend less time on altering perceptions and cover the news.
I agree with George.
George, I agree with you - the Pilot has far too much "master narrative" that causes the "news" paper to become more propaganda then news.
Sounds Fair to Me
I hope it works, because I enjoy reading both. I will miss commenting on their columns on-line, but there is the Letters to the Editor as well as a direct e-mail to whichever one you wish to comment to or about.
I get the on-line version free since I am a subscriber, but use it mostly if I am out of town or somehow missed getting a look at the paper. Reading the print version is one of my forms of relaxation, sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the evening. Even though I have already read many of the stories on-line, I like seeing them in print as well. Call me an old foggie if you want!
I look forward to keeping the columnists in the paper, and even bringing back a few who were let go recently, like Mr. Warren. Heck, I still miss Lawrence Maddry!