Amazing but newspapers in Denmark are still objecting to “deep linking” and want all links – even from emails – to come directly to the home page so they can then control the experience. It would be a metaphor for the dying industry attitude, except it’s real. [via Martin Stabe]
Probably some journalists still prefer readers to arrive to a homepage where they’re told what the most important news are, instead of having lots of users pointing to the articles the users themselves consider important.
Defining the hierarchy of news is one of the oldest journalistic tasks (and one of most appreciated by journalists, I would say). On the Web, part of that power gets lost.
So, when they talk about controlling the user experience, they’re probably thinking on something like “we want you to come to us, and then we’ll tell you what to read first”.
Surely there is a way to program this.
1. Web page recognized deep link comes from external source.
2. Deep link makes request to dababase.
3. Database builds page in background while re-directing to home page.
4. Home page displayed with a “Continue to requested content” link message near the top in highlight box or something.
That way they get their home page without legislation, and the user gets his deep link without too much fuss (one more click).
Well, it’s not entirely true. What the chief legal adviser from the Danish Union of Journalists is saying is that it’s okay to link directly to an article — if the link is loyal, that is.
Now the term “loyal link” might differ depending on the person looking at the link. In my opinion the only disloyal link I can think of is a track back spam link, but the chief legal adviser, and several others, might disagree with me on that one.
It has gotten better over the years here in Denmark, however. Years ago we had the infamous “Newsbooster case” which ended with the verdict, that you can’t create an automated site (which Google News is) and “deep link” (don’t know how that differs from an ordinary link) — but now the media are more okay with the fact that private persons, such as bloggers, link to articles.
But an automated page – no-uh. Which I quite can’t understand, since it drive traffic to the media…to us.
In 2006 Google News entered Sweden and Norway – but not Denmark (http://blog.larskjensen.dk/2006/11/16/google-news-goes-scandinavia-but-not-denmark/) – Google just didn’t feel like fighting at that time, so they decided to ditch us.
But now a couple of online media sites are saying that they actually want a Danish Google News — Google Translated article about that.
I think we should have a Danish Google News, as well – even though I work in a corporation that might not think so.
Kindest regards,
Lars K Jensen
Editorial project manager
ekstrabladet.dk
What two links are there in Denmark other than Carlsberg and Bacon?
I’m totally on board with the idea that one of the main roles of the journalist is to, using his/her editorial judgment, play the most important news higher. That’s what they’re paid for.
But not at the expense of user experience.
Journalists need to start treating their Web sites like any other company does, and realize that every page is a landing page, not just the home page. Incorporate more “Related Links,” “Today’s News,” or “Breaking News” modules into every page. Do something.
Just don’t hijack the user.
@Brianist
Oh, erhm.. Hans Christian Andersen, Soren Kierkegaard and LEGO maybe. You owe me beer, mate *lol*
@All: It’s as simple as to stop thinking like a traditional newspaper. I am an educated and somewhat well house trained journalist/reporter and – as such – an old school arrogant b*******, who knows anything better than everybody else
To be honest, I seriously think journalists/editors need to get used to the fact, that users themselves know best… Probably better than you do (Do I sound like Dan Gillmor now?). Yes, prioritize every site as a potential landing page.
Folks who tries to prevent linking to articles (or other pages directly) are the same kind of people who claimed the earth was flat 500 years ago. They simply refuse to see the world as it is, and ignores the fact that the internet is a network of networks or a community of communities (if you’d like). It’s not just another platform for distribution – it’s NOT a digital newspaper.
It’s not all that hopeless in Denmark though. Especially the regional newspapers – Nordjyske Media (DitCentrum.dk) and Jyske Vestkysten (www.jv.dk) are trying stuff out these days.
Also the national daily Politiken (politiken.dk) has added a twingly-plugin collecting pings from blogs writing and linking to their articles online. Personally I see that as an open invitation to link to their stuff *thumbs up*.
@Matt: Yeaup, landing pages rock
and don’t hijack me and force to a universal look at all of today’s news – I’ll never come back if you do!
These poor people in Dernmark should keep insisting and insisting. At some point they could try and come up with suggestions on how such a thing could be regulated or applied. But I feel for them, as I have been insisting for years that the sun should absolutely never rise before 9.15 am on the weekends.
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