@TimDalrymple_ @DanlHarrell @kateshellnutt @tedolsen @danielsilliman CT can get many more page views by soliciting comments from experts on the news of the day. "The New York Times reports... Wheaton College professor told CT ... Author of the IVP book on this topic said ..."
Todd Brewer rightly points out the CT paywall.
New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker all allow a couple of free articles, then paywall kicks in. Wall Street Journal lets you see very little. Politico and CNN - no paywall.
New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker all allow a couple of free articles, then paywall kicks in. Wall Street Journal lets you see very little. Politico and CNN - no paywall.
I agree most of Christian Post is junk. I also understand that Christianity Today has a reputation for thoroughness and reflection. And Christianity Today does not want to be yanked around by the outrage of the day. But many turn to Twitter to see what reputable Christians think.
I realize that the Christianity Today editors already think about this stuff all the time. Still, I think there is a need to help facilitate the daily / hourly amplification of reputable Christian voices and CT is in the best position to do that. Update ongoing story articles.
I would love for Christians to constantly be checking Christianity Today's website for the latest news with comments from three experts in each article. The understanding would be that the story will be updated that day if there are new developments or if the analysis is lacking.
I don't know what is realistic. News takes newsroom employees.
In 2017:
WSJ 1,500
NYT 1,307
WP 750
USA Today 450
politico.com/media/story/20…
Here are the page views of major news sites.
washingtonpost.com/pr/2020/01/16/…
In 2017:
WSJ 1,500
NYT 1,307
WP 750
USA Today 450
politico.com/media/story/20…
Here are the page views of major news sites.
washingtonpost.com/pr/2020/01/16/…
Reasons why CT should amplify thoughtful Christian takes on the news:
1. It is inefficient for everyone to look up and learn about every issue when there are Christians who are experts in each of these fields.
1. It is inefficient for everyone to look up and learn about every issue when there are Christians who are experts in each of these fields.
2. It can be done. It is not difficult to separate the self-promoting, no education, end times pundits featured on @RightWingWatch from professors in the field at reputable schools.
3. Most tenured professors should be able to give their opinions without fear of getting fired.
3. Most tenured professors should be able to give their opinions without fear of getting fired.
4. Experts will willingly respond to phone or email or text inquiries from CT staff because they want their knowledge distributed and respect CT.
5. Often, it is easy and quick for professors to comment off the cuff because their background knowledge about the topic.
5. Often, it is easy and quick for professors to comment off the cuff because their background knowledge about the topic.
6. Mistakes can be made and corrected.
7. Editors can use their judgment and not publish ill-considered or unhelpful takes.
8. CT can invite opinion pieces or dueling opinion pieces if a topic needs longer treatment.
7. Editors can use their judgment and not publish ill-considered or unhelpful takes.
8. CT can invite opinion pieces or dueling opinion pieces if a topic needs longer treatment.
9. CT can often link to other sources for the facts. "The NYT reports ..." Also, often the facts are public: documents, speeches, video. The controversy is how to think about this as Christians.
10. CT's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter would post content to help it spread.
10. CT's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter would post content to help it spread.
11. Like CT's current paywall setup, people would eventually subscribe so they did not miss out. When you see people linking to a publication often enough and you can't read the whole article, you give in and subscribe.
12. Many of the takes that CT could amplify are already posted on Twitter by Christian experts as they read the news.
13. These people would link to Christianity Today posts where their quotes are featured. If you quote people on Twitter, those people will tweet links to CT.
13. These people would link to Christianity Today posts where their quotes are featured. If you quote people on Twitter, those people will tweet links to CT.
14. It would also be good to reach out to authors, professors, and people who work in particular fields. CT does this with its monthly print articles. There are so so many good Christian writers, professors, and competent Christians in every field.
15. CT's monthly print articles are creative, fresh, original reporting with good writing. But there is also a need for daily, hourly reputable Christian commentary on the news. News cycles are often only half a day and there is a need to provide Christians with wise takes.
16. Particularly excellent trust-worthy experts (who are repeatedly asked to comment) should be given CT blogs to respond immediately or a weekly column. (CT already does this a little. Patheos deserves to be challenged because of their slow-loading site and amoral approach).
Note:
Note:
I am persuaded that among thoughtful devout Christians there is huge, huge agreement on almost every issue (once facts are uncovered). It is a tragedy that most people do not realize that.
Description of Christianity Today staff:
Two additional notes:
1. The Christian Post numbers may be skewed: buzzfeednews.com/article/craigs…
and CP management has issues:
christianitytoday.com/ct/topics/j/da…
2. Napp Nazworth, formerly at Christian Post, said he has very little hope for online Christian news. See:
1. The Christian Post numbers may be skewed: buzzfeednews.com/article/craigs…
and CP management has issues:
christianitytoday.com/ct/topics/j/da…
2. Napp Nazworth, formerly at Christian Post, said he has very little hope for online Christian news. See:
Also to reiterate that the stat I cited in the first tweet from Josh Good from his interview with Mark Galli this week about 60 "staff reporters" at Christianity Today is WRONG. Rather, there are 60-70 employees total at CT.
I love Christianity Today and the CT staff. In the thread above, I am brainstorming about commenting on the news (partially because of the massive response to the Galli editorial).
(In my field of theological education, we too are constantly brainstorming about how to adapt).
(In my field of theological education, we too are constantly brainstorming about how to adapt).
I deleted the original first tweet in the thread (pictured below) because there are 60 employees at CT, NOT 60 staff writers. I was quote-tweeting this tweet:
It is quite something to hear Mark Galli's realization of the need for evangelicals to speak up about Trump because of how evangelicals' association with Trump has been so disheartening to atheists who had hoped for moral clarity from evangelicals.
