Thelondonpaper launches IM-style news and comment site

by Staff, Brand Republic 02-May-08, 10:45

LONODN - Thelondonpaper has revamped its online news and comment service with a social media style newsfeed, allowing reporters to file pictures and words direct to the web.

Using real-time Web 2.0 technology, the service, called London Live, is a real-time news commentary service using messaging technology to provide near-instant views on what's happening.

The use of the Web 2.0 technology means users do not need to refresh screens to get the latest blogging, news and comments.

The service also allows users to phone a voicemail service, which instantly converts comments into text for the web.

It has been launched to coincide with the London Mayoral elections allowing reporters to offer a blow-by-blow commentary to a live stream of news from the polling booths, the streets, and other key locations in today's election.

Paul Baldwin, editor of thelondonpaper.com, said: "It means our users know what's happening the instant we know. What is amazing is the speed at which information from the election trail makes it up on the site.

"Photographs coming in literally take seconds to go live. This is light years ahead of the conventional website process, which involves cumbersome content management systems."

The real-time blog on the paper's website, which launched in September 2006, can be accessed at thelondonpaper.com/elections.