Steve Outing has written an open letter to Craigslist on behalf of the newspaper industry. He’s not suggesting that Craigslist save newspapers, because he admits print is an outdated model. But he is asking that Craigslist help save journalism. Outing’s suggestions:
1. Allow local newspapers to scrape Craigslist ads
2. Allow consumers to place ads on Craigslist via newspaper websites
3. Add links on Craigslist to newspaper website classified sections
4. Add a news component to Craigslist
“I know that the newspaper industry’s flagging health isn’t your responsibility, Craig and Jim, and I’ll agree that it’s not directly your fault,” Outing writes. “But with a little cooperation, we might find that Craigslist can help to turn around newspapers… Will you help?”
Ok, break it down Lost Remote readers. Good ideas?
Update: Lost Remote reader Mike writes his own open letter in comments:
“Dear Fellow Business Owner. People love your product and not ours. Would it be alright if we steal your free product and sell it ourselves for a profit (via ads and subscriptions). And how about we profit again from your success by allowing people to post ads on your site but through our website instead. And how about we abuse you a third time by adding our news product to your popular site, bloating it up with content visitors didn’t come for and which simply links visitors away from your site in the end. I know this sounds like lowly panhandling but it’s not. You see, my business broke down just a few miles down the road and all I need is a little money for gas.”