E.W. Scripps Company has launched RedBlueAmerica.com, an advertising-supported social networking site aimed at encouraging “vigorous political discourse” during the current election campaigns and beyond. To keep things civil, two experienced journalists have been hired to serve as moderators.
"RedBlueAmerica.com is a place for people interested in what the other half thinks on the important and interesting issues of the day," said John Temple, founder of the Web site, and VP of News for Scripps’ newspaper division.
Ben Boychuk, former managing editor of the Claremont Review of Books, an editorial writer for Investor’s Business Daily and a blogger on such sites as Infinite Monkeys, will represent the "Red" (conservative) side. Joel Mathis, an award-winning blogger, reporter and former managing editor for convergence at the World Company in Lawrence, KS, will represent the "Blue" (liberal) point of view.
"As moderators, Ben and Joel will pick the topics featured on the site and find the best writing representing their respective sides," Temple said.
RedBlueAmerica aims to deliver timely political news, conduct a daily public opinion poll on selected topics and will provide subscribers with an e-mail service. The site also will include a feature called "Truth or Not" that will challenge, among other things, the veracity of factual claims made by high-profile newsmakers and others.
RBR observation: In case you are wondering, perhaps as a stockholder, the new website is being run under the umbrella of the Scripps newspaper division. Thus, it will remain with the TV/newspaper company when Scripps splits into two public companies in the coming months.
