The New York Times editorial page used to be a catalyst for political, social and economic discussion throughout entire world. Then on Sept. 19, the Times stopped distributing free online editorials and enacted a mandatory fee for users trying to access them. As a result, the latest columns from the nation's top social critics such as Thomas Friedman, David Brooks and Paul Krugman are no longer available for free through the website.
This move is a huge mistake because it alienates a vast majority of The New York Times' online readers. Most users will be unwilling to pay $50 per year to read the Times' editorial columns.
Fortunately, finding a free replacement for these editorials is easy with a little Internet research. The Internet offers readers a myriad of well-written, intelligent and regularly updated blogs on any subject and with any political affiliation.
A well-written and updated blog is often very similar to a well-written and weekly editorial column in a major newspaper. Much like editorials, blogs highlight important events that have slipped under the cracks of mainstream media or have not been covered sufficiently. In fact, blogs are often the main force behind the coverage of controversial events. Bloggers have played pivotal roles in instigating media coverage-from the Trent Lott fiasco to Dan Rather's unethical reporting.
Additionally, blogs provide an outlet for many specialists and professors to comment on developments relating to their fields of study. Many world-renowned intellectuals such as Gary Becker and Richard Posner regularly write long and thought-provoking blog entries.
Blogs are also much more versatile than editorial columns. They have no length requirements, can freely cut and paste quotes and link to articles and research that relates to relevant issues. Posts may be updated instantaneously as relevant information or feedback becomes available.
Most blogs have a comment feature that allows readers to communicate directly with the author. This acts as a regulating mechanism for the reasoning and facts presented in each post. It creates a system where lying about and concealing information is immediately punished. These incentives push bloggers to be as accurate as possible.
What the decision-makers at the New York Times do not understand is that because of blogs they no longer offer a unique product. Now, the many great writers and thinkers who previously did not have access to mass media outlets can publish their thoughts and ideas through blogs. The Times is no longer needed as an intermediary.
The only reason that the New York Times editorial writers have such a big influence over public debate is because they were at the New York Times. Now that the New York Times' best writers are shut off from the non-paying public, they will lose a lot of their influence. Readers will instead turn to astute and intelligent bloggers who will take over the leadership of public debate.
There is already evidence that this trend is occurring. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project last year, almost 10 percent of U.S. Internet users read political blogs, and 12 percent have posted comments on general topic blogs. These percentages are bound to increase as the word about blogs spreads and political blogs gain spillover readership.
Some bloggers are essentially perfect substitutes for current Times columnists. For example, Brad Delong runs a widely read and frequently updated blog that is very similar to Paul Krugman's column. Krugman, unlike most New York Times columnists, also happens to be a top academic in international economics. Much like Krugman, DeLong is also a top scholar in the field of economics and holds similarly liberal political views. Not only does DeLong post about the pitfalls of the Bush administration with Krugman-like fervor, he also constantly posts links to interesting and relevant articles. Other blogs similarly provide very good alternatives to other columnists.
I encourage anyone interested in current affairs to supplement the news they obtain from traditional media outlets with blogs. This new news source will allow a much deeper and broader understanding of the world today.
Andrey Fradkin is a Trinity sophomore. His column runs every other Friday.
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