First, spambots harvest that "mailto" information and flood the e-mailboxes with junk, making it harder for reporters to communicate with "real" people.
Second, some readers will click on an e-mail link on the page and start commenting as if the recipient knows exactly which of the many articles with such a link they're referring to.
Third, it depends on how and what online publishing system is being used, but generally it's administratively simpler to have a master e-mail contact list than coding each article with an e-mail link.
Fourth, at what point does it become impossible for an individual to respond to the many? I, for example, am unable to find a direct e-mail address to get a one-on-one personal communication going with Bill Gates. I wanted to congratulate him on being cooler on the witness stand this month than previously. You'd think he'd know enough about the potential of the Internet to be more accessible to customers like me.
Patricia Sullivan nailed it on the head. Web-savvy readers expect to find a hyperlinked byline or a credit line at the end of each article. Most would never think to go to a Customer Service area because they don't consider the news they read to be a product (thus making them a 'customer'). They're readers and view the news as information meant to be read. Perhaps in time, the byline hyperlink will catch on at all the online news outlets.
Finally, thank you, Mr. Meyerson, for forwarding that e-mail address. I also heard from Mr. Janega (news does travel fast online), and will give him the proper e-mail "attaboy" he deserves.
Jade Walker - MaidenFate@aol.comColumnist, Jaded Writings (http://www.jadedwritings.com)Overnight Producer, The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com)Author, "Sex, Death and Other..." (http://www.metropolisink.com)
James Janega's there: JJanega@tribune.com
I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you.
Best wishes,
Charlie MeyersonDaywatch columnistChicagotribune.com
