TUESDAY'S LETTERS: Views on Craigslist, Investigative Reporting and More

By: E&P Staff Several readers e-mailed E&P to express their thoughts on Craigslist, which Jennifer Saba wrote about in the article Who's This 'Craig' Guy, Anyway?:

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I find it utterly disturbing to hear that there are newspaper executives in this country that have not heard of Craigslist. Where have they been for the past 5 years? Have they not heard the lament of dozens of newspaper classified managers in San Francisco collectively mourning the death of their six-figure income?

Even the people who are scrutinizing Craigslist and their success don't understand the true nature of this beast. Free placement in all the categories (except for employment at $75 a post) is downright unbeatable, especially since they receive more page views than all of the San Francisco Bay Area newspapers Web sites combined. The ease of uploading ads and the user-friendliness of the site to search those ads are just the icing on the cake.

That being said, the one and only weakness of Craigslist is the quality of its audience. Much like many general circulation newspapers, the results of your posting may be ?quantity? over ?quality.? Try posting a help wanted ad and you will be wading through dozens of totally unqualified candidates in order to find the one gem.

Newspaper executives of every metropolitan area should be afraid, very afraid. Craigslist is coming to your town; in fact they may already be there.

Jim Tamietti
Director of Advertising
The Recorder & CalLaw

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You did not touch on this key issue in your great article: Craig's List is free!

At this time of extreme polarization of the electorate, I am loathe to plunk down $1.50 to purchase the local biased rag that does not represent my views to get a copy of the Sunday Classifieds.

My liberal neighbors will give me the classifieds from the Sunday Oregonian for free if I ask, and I do and they do. Another $1.50 that is not spent supporting candidates I cannot stand, and their positions I abhor.

Arguably, papers have a constituency, and as The New York Times recently admitted, they bias their views to support the views of their readership. Fair enough; it's called niche marketing in a capitalist market.

But when I do not support those views, Craig's List is there.

I recently got a great deal on a BMW motorcycle on Craigslist. I am an enthusiastic fan. And best of all, it was free.

Best,

Lamar Johnson
Beaverton OR

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Re: Teen Journo Draws Fire After Army Sting

Is there no concern whatsoever that the student lied his way through the "sting?" Certainly the Army recruiters were wrong, but the student was equally wrong. How long will he be employed at any reputable media outlet if he bases his stories on lies?

It appears that the lesson learned here is that lying is a good way to get a story and don't worry about any repercussions. Being in the media insulates you from responsibility.

John Douglas

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Re: Pentagon Blocks Release of Abu Ghraib Images: Here's Why

Thank you for your honest and intelligent reporting. Although it's a story we repel our natural senses to acknowledge, it is one that must be told. The truth must be exposed to the light of justice.

Thank you for having the moral courage to offer a glimpse at what the heart aches in humanity and mankind that is not being reported elsewhere.

Sandra
Tampa, Florida