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.
Patricia Lee Smith, a head honcho in the Seattle Times new media division—in charge of everything from marketing and ad sales and product development when it came to first building, and then managing the daily’s online site—announced that she’s leaving the company after 12 years.
Seattle Times spokeswoman Jill Mackie says the company has not named a replacement.
UPDATE: Smith is taking a job as Vice President International at booming foodie site AllRecipes.com.
