SiliconBeat provides a good model for Indian journalist bloggers

SiliconBeat, a blog created by a couple of technology industry focused journalists at the San Jose Mercury News, provides a great model for Indian mainstream media journalists.

A key feature about SiliconBeat is that the blogger-journalists leverage the advantages of the online medium (including its infinite space and more informal nature) to go beyond what appear in the print.

Especially interesting is the way in which they use the blog as a forum to aplogize for the inevitable reporting and editorial errors that occur in the printed version. This apology to the CEO of Wine.com, along with a clear explanation of why the error occured, is a good example. Please note that the writers don't say "our editorial desk screwed up". They stick to the "we" approach - as in the entire publication.

The SJ Mercury management deserves kudos for allowing their reporters to be so frank about their vulnerabilities - it's something that even several technology idols can learn from.

Such a blog is great branding tool for the paper itself (the journalists often link to "the full story in tommorow's paper"), plus a great way for the journalists to attract sources and tip-offs for new stories. For the audience, it is a great way to learn how journalists operate as well as an opportunity to interact directly with the reporters.

I eagarely look forward to the day when leading Indian reporters follow SiliconBeat's lead.