The Tampa Bay Times is creating a committee of subscribers who can share their thoughts directly with the newspaper's staff.
In a recent column, Executive Editor Mark Katches wrote: "Our new Tampa Bay Times Community Reader Panel will be made up of people who we will count upon to provide honest feedback about our journalism and to serve as a sounding board for ideas."
He invited readers to fill out a questionnaire, if they were interested in serving on the panel, saying the group of 25 to 30 people will meet quarterly with journalists for about two hours, virtually in the beginning.
"When the group gathers," he said, "we’ll discuss specific topics, such as our coverage of politics, education, health or the justice system, and invite reaction to our most recent work. There will be opportunities to brainstorm about a wider range of issues and challenges."
He said: "We expect those selected will be regular readers of the Times. A level of familiarity, we believe, will contribute to a better dialogue about the work that we do, or could be doing. It’s important to us that the panel also reflects the diversity of our region and a diversity of opinions. Over time, the Community Reader Panel will meet with reporters, editors, engagement producers, visual journalists and senior leaders."
