Blogger Scott Rosenberg has one intriguing idea for improving media accountability: Public databases where readers can post complaints about errors in coverage needing a correction.
Let people file “bug reports” if they believe your publication has published something in need of correcting. The publication can respond however it seems appropriate: If the complaint is frivolous, you point that out; if it’s a minor error of spelling or detail, you fix it; if it’s a major error, you deal with it however you traditionally deal with major errors — but you’ve left a trail that shows what happened. However you respond, you’ve opened a channel of communication, so that people who feel you’ve goofed don’t just go off to their corners (or their blogs!) feeling that you’re unresponsive and irresponsible.
(Hat tip: Cyberjournalist)
