European reporters and editors visit - 6.29.07

Several European editors and reporters stopped at The Star Friday as part of the North America tour.

Bente Setervoll from Norway said the trip, which included stops in Toronto, Roanoke, Va. and Charlotte, was an opportunity to see the efforts newspapers are making to reach out to the readers.

"I’ve been focusing on paper-reader interaction and how we can engage our readers in conversations," said Ms. Setervoll.

She said the Cleveland County Kids publication developed by The Star caught her eye because the production is almost completely put together with user generated content.

"I’m impressed with the interaction," said Ms. Setervoll.

During the visit at the newspaper, the group toured the newsroom to explore the technology

The Star uses and had the opportunity to see the printing press. They also got to check out The Star Car, which will soon give reporters the opportunity to report live from events and crime scenes.

Horst Seidenfaden, a newspaper editor from Kassel, Germany, said he’s visited several larger papers during his trip but The Star used the most technology.

"It’s very modern, very interactive," he said. "It’s the smallest paper but the most progressive."