I received the following email yesterday from someone with KUOW—Seattle’s local NPR outlet:
KUOW reporter Deborah Wang is working on a story about the commercial real estate and condo markets. Hearing from people in your world would be huge to us. I’ve built a question form for the web that reflects what Deborah is pursuing. We would both be thrilled if you would post our question form and explain that this is one of KUOW’s approaches to newsgathering.
People who answer this form become news sources for us, allowing them a direct route to our ears for the future. We hold their information in our Public Insight Network, a database of about 600 people who help us cover the Puget Sound region by sharing their expertise and experience.
The specific story angle they’re currently working on is titled “Real Estate: Are you trying to get a better deal?” They’re looking for local residents that are renewing their rent, renting out a new residential or office space, in the market for a new condo, or are currently a landlord.
This sounds like an interesting idea. I encourage anyone who is interested in this project to head over to KUOW’s web form and get in touch with them. It’s nice to see some “old media” pursuing innovative new approaches to news.