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New Washington Times Web Site to Bring Readers into the National Debate

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 May 2008, 09:00 CDT

The Washington Times today unveiled a prototype of its new Web site for readers to 'test drive' for a few days prior to launch of the live site. This redesigned Web site was created in response to readers wanting more control over how they consume their news.

The Washington Times LLC is evolving from a newspaper enterprise to a full media company offering news 24/7. In addition to the new Web site, readers will see other innovations beginning with a June 2 launch of a redesigned print edition and an electronic replica of the print newspaper. Readers will be greeted by a redesigned and robust Sunday edition on June 8.

To read the rest of this article and view our video and image library with print quality downloads, click here: http://mnr.onthescene.com/washingtontimes/cube.html

Today's prototype debut includes an instructional video with screen shots of the new Web site, a slide show, Frequently Asked Questions, and access to the prototype site at www.washingtontimes.com/beta.

Readers can "do the flip" with The Times' innovative News Cube on the homepage. The Cube lets readers choose a top news story by flipping the cube horizontally, or drill deeper into a single story by flipping the cube vertically to find related information, expert analysis and video archives. Readers can thereby view articles the traditional, vertical way through general topics such as news, politics, and sports, or cut through the news horizontally, with individualized News Themes matching their specific interests.

Readers will have immediate access to 400,000 story topics or News Themes each day. These News Themes collect Washington Times stories written since 1999, live content from the current newspaper, wire service reports and relevant material from the Web. Each theme is narrowly focused to suit reader interests, whether it's politics, the military, family issues, or video games. Articles contain live links to the various related Themes.

A new video player and Web interactive features include original shows and interviews from the Times' newsroom.

The new 'Got a Question' feature lets readers send a question from a story page to other readers and experts across the globe via AOL's Yedda network and get an answer back.

There will also be WashingtonTimes.com social networking communities, centered around specific news topics and run by civilian "mayors" who function as the bloggers-in-chief and moderators.

Readers can communicate to Times editors and reporters as well as to other readers. News from The Washington Times will no longer be a one-way monologue.

Source: Business Wire

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