Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

PubliCola Talks with PI Editor David McCumber

News   January 26, 2009 at 10:38 am Sandeep Kaushik

I had a long conversation on Thursday with Seattle Post-Intelligencer Managing Editor David McCumber about the possible closure of the P-I and the perilous state of the local media. I have not had a chance to write it up yet—should have something here shortly.

But one thing that struck me was his concern that even if the P-I disappears, the Times might still not survive. I asked him if he thought both papers could go under this year. “It’s very possible,” he replied. “”It would be tragic, but it certainly is possible. The dominos could end up falling that way.”

I’ll post about the rest of my interview with McCumber soon. [Editor's Note. Sandeep's not all that with deadlines. Don't expect this today.]

In the meantime, there are rumors of more Seattle Times layoffs. See NewsJunkie.


  • Curt

    The Internet is not a weekly newspaper. Cough it up!

  • Curt

    The Internet is not a weekly newspaper. Cough it up!

  • Shapz

    Give him a break. Unlike most bloggers who rip off real-life newspaper reporters’ work, he’s doing some original reporting and that — blogger buddies — takes time.

  • Shapz

    Give him a break. Unlike most bloggers who rip off real-life newspaper reporters’ work, he’s doing some original reporting and that — blogger buddies — takes time.