LA Observed is a hybrid of new media tactics and old-school
tone. It does what every news blogger posting multiple times a day has to: LA
Observed aggregates. In subtly bolded hyper-links, numerous media outlets are
cited in the morning news round-ups, in addition to providing fodder for blog
quotes directly responding to other authors (often with large blocks fromthe article source). Articles may also be significantly altered after
publication, and are denoted with an asterisk for reader information.
The publication markets itself to those with a stake in LA history,
business, and politics with greater emphasis on impartiality as opposed to the snark
of many online-only publications (see: Gawker). Recent ongoing coverage on the
city council’s decision on medical marijuana did not take a stance on the
issue, in comparison to the more pro-marijuana coverage on LA weekly.
By betting its success on the ability to build a recognized
and stable brand, LA Observed is taking a unique route for local news. It's never going to be the Times, but its leg up is that it’s a one-stop shop for this kind of news for Angelenos, and it’s free.
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