Opposing Views is a newly launched startup that lets experts go “on the record” and state their position on a controversial issue. For example, the site asks “Should abstinence-only sex-ed be taught in public schools?” Lifeway Christian Resources and Teen Aid weigh in on the “Yes” side with a list of reasons that link to detailed information. On the “No” side, the American Public Health Association and The National Campaign offer the alternative viewpoint, using the same set of tools.
It’s an interesting new spin on an old concept. Versus sites like Squidoo, Hub Pages, and the just launched Google Knol where experts attempt to write an authoritative article about a given subject and earn revenue, Opposing Views looks to have established organizations and experts state official positions that show both sides of an issue, without monetary compensation. Founder Russell Fine thinks that this approach creates unbiased information for the public, “especially when you have a problem,” he told me in an interview yesterday.
To ensure that the best content rises to the top, the service has basic community features like ratings and reviews of articles. Experts need to apply to Opposing Views, at which point the company verifies their identity. So far, there are about 100 experts signed up, including official representatives from the McCain and Obama campaigns.