Quality of News Writers?


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Is there somewhere we can comment on the quality of some of the news writers (or someone we can PM)?

Seriously...neowin has recruited some terrible writers in recent months. I understand that it may be trying to shift away from syndicating towards original content, and granted some of the features are great!

But...some of the news articles are just awful. They can be written poorly and blatantly under-researched.

Unprofessional journalism need not equal crap journalism.

I presume there's an editor who has to approve articles - whoever this person is needs a kick up the a*se for approving some of the turd that has gone up.

There are 2 or 3 writers in particular who consistently write terrible articles. Whenever I read a bad article, I always know to expect one of these people to be the author.

I've been on neowin for quite a few years and have always relied on the news quite a lot...but the quality has clear dived in recent months. I still want to use neowin for my tech/gaming updates, but I feel I'm not the only one who is driven away by poorly written articles.

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Yeah I don't want to name and shame here.

Tom W is the editor?!

Thank you for doing the right thing :) It would be extremely unfair on the reporters if that was done. Commenting on this in the comment sections of articles, like some people have done, is also not the way to go.

Doing what Rob said ensures the right person hears your concern.

Tom W is an administrator but he also oversees the news side of things :)

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Speaking only for myself, if you think something i have written is crap id rather get a pm about it, its the only way you become a better writer but saying that....

news on a live site like this is much harder than you think, breaking news is dime a dozen and i/we have to weed out lots of potential fake news to get the right news to the front page.

As for doing research again the same problem comes up that if one site breaks the news the only thing I/we can do is try to verify that the site is a credible then report on what the news was....

regarding my recent NASA one that turned out to be a hoax many established writers were duped by the supposed source, it happens and you deal with it but writing news is much harder than one might think and takes a lot longer to compile, edit and post than one would imagine

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Well yes, I know writing is hard...I was a journalist and editor for a large gaming site for over 2 years, and being first with news is really important.

The problem I have with using the Report a Problem link or PM'ing people is that by the time it's on the front page...it's too late. Thousands of people have seen it. Writers and articles should be screened before the public have a chance to complain.

Things turning out to be a hoax is completely different. I accept that errors happen, but there is no excuse for poorly written articles.

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The problem I have with using the Report a Problem link or PM'ing people is that by the time it's on the front page...it's too late. Thousands of people have seen it. Writers and articles should be screened before the public have a chance to complain.

This.

I don't think Neowin is doing a good enough job in protecting and nurturing their writers. It's a hard job to do, but I believe the screening process needs to be better so writers get a good chance before getting the guillotine over a consecutive string of complaints and/or outbursts from readers. We all know how unforgiving and brutally harsh/disrespectful some readers can be, if you have a string of less approved articles you'll have the same crew chirping on at you and following you around every time you post something, regardless of it's quality they'll hold their bitterness over those last two articles you wrote forever.

No offence but there is times it seems as if the "approve" button has just been blindly hit - Articles with spelling/grammatical mistakes, but even worse than those minor issues at times, incorrect articles factually, or just things that are fairly poorly written and imbalanced. Writers need feedback and guidance, you aren't being mean denying them/telling them to change things, it's helping them.

I'd like to see a slow down in articles for a while if it gives current/newly joined writers a chance to adapt and work on their articles than see things getting approved all over the place just to get new content on the main page. Yeah you want to break news quickly, but sites get a following for quality written articles as well.

IMO there should be people screening these articles that are knowledgeable in each category. If you're going to post gaming news it isn't going to be that helpful if the guy/girl screening those articles knows nothing about gaming. But hey I don't think there's going to be much gaming news any more :rolleyes:

It's my understanding Neowin compensates writers for their work, which is really nice to hear, but If I were Neowin (yes just me physically being Neowin :p), I would want any sort of compensation only getting paid to quality articles worthy of being on the main page representing the sites brand. That's not a disrespectful comment to Neowin, staff or writers alike, it's a simple goal everyone involved in the news should be striving for.

Edited by Audioboxer
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It's my understanding Neowin compensates writers for their work, which is really nice to hear, but If I were Neowin (yes just me physically being Neowin :p), I would want any sort of compensation only getting paid to quality articles worthy of being on the main page representing the sites brand. That's not a disrespectful comment to Neowin, staff or writers alike, it's a simple goal everyone involved in the news should be striving for.

If I understand correctly the writer's pay varies based on the amount of views and comments the post receives.

Anyways, it seems to me like the quality is lacking sometimes because the writers are trying to rush out a news story and be the first to do so. This is good, as it will attract viewers and comments, but it is noticeable that some of the news posts are rushed for that reason.

Have you guys ever considered writing more articles? Not so much news related, but actual articles regarding technology? This way you can take the time to actually research more and not be rushed to get it out as soon as possible. More how-to's, reviews and editorial type posts would be much better suited for the main page as they would be guaranteed to be unique to Neowin. They wouldn't require rumors or questionable content from other sites first.

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Thanks for your concern, and as I read all of your replies I need to point out what others already have.

It is not easy being a news reporter. Sources can be wrong or you could accidentally type something wrong, something as simple as Firefox 3.5 or Firefox 3.0.5. These inaccuracies can be easily missed when re-reading what you have written, because your brain was so focused on what you have just written, it still looks correct without actually looking closer at it.

Sometimes the sources may make mistakes too, much like the Windows 7 pricing articles. I tried multiple times to figure out how they came up with those figures, only to find out time and time again, their calculations were wrong.

I am sure you are not perfect either and have once turned in a paper at school or some place else that has inaccuracies in the paper. Tom W is more than happy to listen to peoples concerns and take feedback on the news staff team. Remember we are not copying and pasting things here, we are merely trying to write original pieces, trying to incorporate our own knowledge behind each article.

As for news staff that 'writes about stuff they don't know about', we tend not to do that, but pass it off to another member that has knowledge in that area.

Not to mention unbelievably BIASED - of course if you happen to actually have the backbone of commenting on it, you get instantly slapped with a warning.

That is not true. It is your wording that can be uncalled for in the comments section of the news. Back in February, we simply asked members to report a problem with news rather than posting "THIS IS WRONG". It got a little out of hand and made writing a nightmare to see some members (yes this is true) blatantly call you an idiot in the comments, it doesn't look good and sometimes hurt to see a tiny mistake explode in your face.

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Not to mention unbelievably BIASED - of course if you happen to actually have the backbone of commenting on it, you get instantly slapped with a warning.

which artilces are you refering too, i actively try and not include bias but its almost impossible on every article that involves mac, pc, windows, osx ect

"THIS IS WRONG". It got a little out of hand and made writing a nightmare to see some members (yes this is true) blatantly call you an idiot in the comments, it doesn't look good and sometimes hurt to see a tiny mistake explode in your face.

couldnt agree more, you have to form a tough skin to post anything on the front page...both of us have put up over 150+ articles and if it relates to either mac or windows someone will call you out for bias even if there is no such intention just becuase you wrote an article about one or the other

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If I understand correctly the writer's pay varies based on the amount of views and comments the post receives.

I understand that concept, but unless there are more considerations in place that is a totally flawed system.

Something as basic as that could tempt writers to saturate the front page with as much as they can to maximize their publicity, and also unfortunately in some cases, focus on writing articles that are produced to cause a big fuss/300 page argument. Of course if you're doing any of that it's on your conciousness as a writer, you should know better.

While you can't justifiably pay someone if their articles don't get any hits and therefore no ad revenue, it's of my belief that well written articles will get sufficient following as it is. If people like your style they'll follow your work.

Thanks for your concern, and as I read all of your replies I need to point out what others already have.

It is not easy being a news reporter. Sources can be wrong or you could accidentally type something wrong, something as simple as Firefox 3.5 or Firefox 3.0.5. These inaccuracies can be easily missed when re-reading what you have written, because your brain was so focused on what you have just written, it still looks correct without actually looking closer at it.

Sometimes the sources may make mistakes too, much like the Windows 7 pricing articles. I tried multiple times to figure out how they came up with those figures, only to find out time and time again, their calculations were wrong.

I am sure you are not perfect either and have once turned in a paper at school or some place else that has inaccuracies in the paper. Tom W is more than happy to listen to peoples concerns and take feedback on the news staff team. Remember we are not copying and pasting things here, we are merely trying to write original pieces, trying to incorporate our own knowledge behind each article.

As for news staff that 'writes about stuff they don't know about', we tend not to do that, but pass it off to another member that has knowledge in that area.

Can you explain the screening process for me though? As I pointed out above if you have someone screening the articles that has little knowledge on the topics how are they suppose to help/aid a news writers piece if they know even less than the person writing it? Or is screening as simple as checking for glaring mistakes, making sure the article isn't complete garbage and relying on the writer to have the right facts?

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That is not true. It is your wording that can be uncalled for in the comments section of the news. Back in February, we simply asked members to report a problem with news rather than posting "THIS IS WRONG". It got a little out of hand and made writing a nightmare to see some members (yes this is true) blatantly call you an idiot in the comments, it doesn't look good and sometimes hurt to see a tiny mistake explode in your face.

This is just classless, some people don't have class, or manners. Just shows improper raising... it's not their fault :p Some people just can't go out in public, unsocialized!

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If you notice any of these comments, that you feel go against the community rules please report them.

Many people forget that the community rules also apply for blogs, front page posts and other postings. Bashing a staff member for an article he as written by calling him an idiot or a bonehead is still a personal attack against us news staff, we are members too.

Edited by lylesback2
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I think on the topic of bias, it is less a case of actively seeking to favour one company over an other - and more about the inability to consciously write in a tone that balances the argument so as to avoid the illusion of favouritism.

It's an extremely tough nut to crack, but once you / your writers start to consciously screen your articles for an appearance of bias (which I think you currently don't do) - then your respectability will raise and the finger pointing will drop.

Edited by CJ.
Edited to remove the quote of a post which was deleted
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I think on the topic of bias, it is less a case of actively seeking to favour one company over an other - and more about the inability to consciously write in a tone that balances the argument so as to avoid the illusion of favouritism.

It's an extremely tough nut to crack, but once you / your writers start to consciously screen your articles for an appearance of bias (which I think you currently don't do) - then your respectability will raise and the finger pointing will drop.

That is true.

If an unfavourable, factual piece of news comes out on a company it's going to be covered, that's not bias/favourtism/fanboyism. It's letting your readers hear what the world is hearing. If you're unhappy to see that kind of news fair enough, but it's absolutely nothing to do with the person reporting it, if he/she reports it in a respectable manner.

I have read articles on the main page, editorials considered as well, that read very imbalanced. I think it's unfair to say an article writer can't have his/her own flair, or opinion within an article, but it's got to be balanced and read more like coverage/a report. An article on the main page can't be treated in exactly the same as a forum topic reply, or even a forum "news post".

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I am still very confused over your bias comments. I may not get a chance to read every single articles we post, as I do try. All of my articles I write (from a range of both Microsoft and Apple articles) I am almost certain to leave any trace of bias statements out of articles. I never compare Windows to OSX (for example) unless it is needed. Even than, no article of mine contain bias statements to try and persuade readers into thinking someone is better than the next.

However, that isn't exactly something you can "report a problem" with as it isn't exactly a problem, only in some readers eyes. If you see these examples, I would honestly enjoy to read them myself, you can also PM the author of the article to discuss it with them, as I am always open to discuss my articles privately and so are other authors.

Don't forget it is Neowin (Windows) and is a Windows enthusiast website. I don't expect Macrumours to post Windows 7 positive news.

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Don't forget it is Neowin (Windows) and is a Windows enthusiast website. I don't expect Macrumours to post Windows 7 positive news.

Hmmmm.... that comment doesn't sit well for me.

So many people defend against that generalisation of Neowin when members throw it around (happens a few times in the GH with 360/PS3, Sony/MS, people say this is a MS website so Sony get trolled). Yes Neowin is a Windows focussed community (we even have Windows staff), but it's expanded into much more than that. It's a tech news site first IMO.

I don't see why Neowin couldn't post both positive apple and windows news. I don't think you're saying that at all, but again I'm not quite sure what you mean with the above comment.

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The problem I have with using the Report a Problem link or PM'ing people is that by the time it's on the front page...it's too late. Thousands of people have seen it. Writers and articles should be screened before the public have a chance to complain.

No it's definitely not too late, news items are monitored shortly after they are "live" to monitor feedback, views, updates etc. Considering we have an average of 10,000 people at any given time viewing various news items then it's definitely not too late.

PM me the items you feel are poor please. A lot of complains I receive are genuine but there is a mix of language barriers where an American, Canadian or British reporter spells something different to what the reader is used to or uses different words to describe an item.

Thanks

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It's a tech news site first IMO. I don't see why Neowin couldn't post both positive apple and windows news. I don't think you're saying that at all, but again I'm not quite sure what you mean with the above comment.

Yes you're correct that's what we are focusing on. We do post both positive Apple and Windows news. Our WWDC coverage was on par factually and in speed with most other competitors that were able to actually live blog the event. We started off covering mainly Microsoft news and that will always be our primary focus. It's not like we sit here bashing Apple, far from it.

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What bothers me more is the inconsistency between staff that is happening lately, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, statements and posts seem to contradict each other constantly - Perhaps it's time to sit down, talk things over and get a few things straight :| ?

Then again, perhaps not the right thread to bring that up in, I apologize :p

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I don't know who locked this initially but I'm definitely thankful that it was unlocked. I fear that open discussion and members attempts at helping improving the site should be embraced and not quelled at every opportunity.

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What bothers me more is the inconsistency between staff that is happening lately, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, statements and posts seem to contradict each other constantly - Perhaps it's time to sit down, talk things over and get a few things straight :| ?

Then again, perhaps not the right thread to bring that up in, I apologize :p

We all constantly talk to one another on a daily bases, I am not sure what your talking about here. I have noticed 2 stories where the source we got the information from said one thing and later posted again to update. It wasn't as if one of the news staff said this while the other said that.

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