The Washington Post's America's Next Great Pundit Contest

Vote For America’s Next Top Columnist

Posted by: Kate Torgovnick Filed in: news
5:10PM, Monday November 9th 2009

Sometimes I get a little down scanning the opinion pages of major newspapers and seeing that all the regular columnists are all old dude, old dude, Maureen Dowd, old dude. Sure, I can agree with the opinions of (or be convinced by a great argument from) someone of any age and gender—but the truth is that it’s young women who are most likely going to express my views, and they very rarely get space in commentary sections. Which is why I’m pretty excited about the Washington Post‘s “America’s Next Great Pundit” contest. It’s kind of like “America’s Next Top Model” only for, you know, something substantial. Ten contestants are competing (and they’re good, since almost 5,000 entered) to win the prize of a 13-week column in the Post plus a small cash prize of $2,600. Each week, Post online readers will get to vote for their favorites as the contestants do a variety of opinion-writing challenges. Whom should you vote for? That’s totally up to you—there are many very smart, very cool columnists to choose from. I personally am voting for Courtney Martin, who scribes beautiful, honest, and sharp pieces for Feministing and the American Prospect. She may or may not be your girl, but regardless, vote. It’ll feel as good as picking your fave on “American Idol.” [Washington Post]

comments

mineola
wrote on November 9 2009 @ 10:08 pm: [report]

Ok if by “all the regular columnists are all old dude, old dude, Maureen Dowd, old dude” you really mean “all the regular columnists are all old dude, old dude, old unbelievably spiteful bitter dude & old dude.” :D

The WAPO contest sounds like a great competition- I’ll definitely go check it out. The online landscape is changing journalism in all kinds of ways & one of the most exciting really is hearing from new, fresh voices.

I’m seeing trends in so many places recently in what I think of as more corporate blogs & new online media interests whose functions are similar to those traditionally reserved for magazines—seeing a pronounced trend in opening up their pages to user-nominated blogs & voices & issuing rewards. And then following up with those bloggers & voices with interviews or giving the new blood some space- which is really interesting & surprising.
I’m thinking here of the recent Bodyshop USA Natural Beauty bloggers & the ongoing Divine Caroline reader nominated awards.

So I hope to see more of this type of melding of the old & embracing the new- I find it authentically exciting.

singleboerse
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 06:13 am: [report]

I like Courtney, too. Will vote for sure