Los Angeles Times opens up newsroom with readers' blog

Journalism.co.uk - The Los Angeles Times has launched a new blog to open up newsroom practices to its readers.

The Readers' Representative Journal will use a Q&A style to put readers' comments and questions about the paper's online and print editions to reporters and editors.

Regular features on the blog will include 'Whatever Happened to…', where readers can ask for updates on past stories, and 'Ask a Staffer', which will let the audience query how editorial decisions are made.

In addition users can view a staff directory and details of the title's ethics guidelines.

"The ongoing changes reflect The Times' overarching goal of becoming a more transparent and integrated news organization," said James O'Shea, Los Angeles Times editor.

"Most important, we're further opening the lines of communication with our readers and using new ways to make the newsroom more accessible."

The new blog will be hosted by the paper's readers' representative Jamie Gold and assistant readers' representative Kent Zelas.