Biz journalism blogger: Old journalism rules still apply

Andrea James, a business reporter at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, has launched a blog called Andrea on Amazon about online retailing, and in a blast e-mail introducing the blog, she notes how the content will be different — and similar — to what she writes in the print paper.

James writes, “In the past year especially, the Seattle P-I has gotten serious about the Web — we’re now among the top 20 newspapers in the nation in terms of Web visitors, according to the Nielson Ratings.

“My deadlines have shortened from 6 p.m. daily to about five minutes ago, no matter what time it is. Luckily, thanks to a stint at Bloomberg News in London, I’m at ease with this fast form of journalism. It’s exciting!”

Later, she concludes: “Though the blog lets me have fun with my coverage, and write more informally, the old journalism standards still apply: accuracy, timeliness and newsworthiness are kings.”