Readers are willing to spend more time with a story online instead of the print version, a senior New York Times editor said recently.
Jonathan Landman, the Times’ deputy managing editor for digital journalism made the remarks during a panel discussion as part of a University of California, Berkeley symposium on investigative journalism, citing a Pew Research Center eye tracking survey on reader behaviors.
The findings would be a departure from common perceptions on online reading habits, if true. Common perceptions are that the old ink-and-paper model favors more leisurely reading habits. Ask Gay Talese. But it is “pretty preliminary stuff,” Landman said.
However it is good news for humble Web journalists at sites such as Miller-McCune.com that feature copious amounts of in-depth analysis.
So put your feet up and stay awhile. You’re not alone.
Watch Landman’s comments in the video clip here. Joining him on the panel are UC Berkeley professor Paul Grabowicz, Frontline’s Sharon Tiller and Jeff Leen of The Washington Post.
