MEDIA CRITICISM/COLUMNISTS
EDUCATION RESOURCES
BOSTON -- About 30 people gathered at the National Conference for Media Reform to consider forming a media-reform group focused on the Boston area. The breakout session was co-convened by Jason Pramas of Open Media Boston and Libby Reinish of FreePress.net. One agreement -- a next meeting will be Saturday, May 21, at 2 p.m. at a location in Boston to be determined. The breakout session was entitled "Building a Media Reform Network in Boston: A Roundtable Discussion." Here are rough notes from the discussion;
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Famed columnist and free-press advocate John Nichols will lead a public discussion about new roles for libraries during a Thursday, April 7 evening symposium at the Cambridge Public Library, beginning at 7 p.m.
Besides speaking himself, Nichols will convene a discussion of the best ideas emerging from the MIT-hosted gathering. The evening will include a chance for the public to sit in breakouts with "Beyond Books" participants to add their thoughts.
The New England News Forum has made video available from the “Newsout: Options and strategies for New England communities when the newsroom lights dim” event which took place on March 21, 2009 at Boston University. Click here to view videos.
"The New(s) England Revolution: From Politics to Courtroom to Classroom," a one day gathering, Saturday, April 7, 2007 -- Univ. of Mass. at Lowell. A kickoff event for the New England News Forum which aism to assist journalists and the public in broadening civic engagement and studying media change. Designed for teachers, journalists, local and political bloggers, community videographers and active citizens. Keynote speaker: Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas. For details go to the conference home page. Topics include blog coverage of the New Hampshire presidential primary; bloggers in courts and jail; shield laws; how news can advance civic education in schools; and the changing press-public relationship.
The news last week that Journal Register Co. might shutter two Connecticut newspapers is generating some interesting discussions.
MGP2006 alum Aldon Hynes, who lives on the Connecticut coast. He's posted some thoughts on his blog, Orient Lodge, entitled "The Future of the Newspaper." In reply, JTM-Silicon Valley alumn David Cohn talks about the premise behind Spot.us -- a site he launched Nov. 10 which allows the public to support journalism by direct contribution.
The largest, leading daily newspaper in Massachusetts and region Boston Globe needs to provide answers to questions being avoided in order to dispel the obvious on two issues affecting the paper’s credibility.
Globe Issue #1-Why has the position of ombudsperson not been filled, languished, or discarded for so long? This position for credibility purposes is needed now more than ever with the increasing newsroom downsizing going on. A criticism in the past has been a reporter on a tight rope usually assigned to be ombudsperson that reports to and is evaluated by management. The person serves a term either goes back to some news beat or leaves. That person becomes isolated from other reporters who fear criticism or oversight in reporting. Thus, the advocacy and correct path for Boston Globe management is to appoint a truly independent person paid or unpaid to the position.