Comedian or Journalist

Comedy Channel star Jon Stewart certainly blurs distinctions between pundit, journalist and comedian.  His recent interview with President Barack Obama was more probing than one conducted by network television news anchors, in my opinion.  Stewart’s planned weekend “Rally to Restore Sanity” receives tremendous buzz and serious attention despite humorous roots.  So when Jon Friedman, at MarketWatch, asks is Jon Stewart America’s anchor in waiting the question has gravitas.

Stewart defines himself as entertainer but do you believe his audience perceives him as more  journalist?

James Rowe

Don’t Cry for Juan Williams

Former National Public Radio news analyst Juan Williams deserves no one’s sympathy for having been fired.  In the midst of journalistic controversy Fox News Channel signs him to a three year personal contract worth $2 (m) million dollars.

The real debate is objectivity in journalism.  Is NPR right to have terminated Williams’ contract?  Were Williams’ opinions bigoted?  What’s going on in American society and journalism?  Read the PoynterOnline post and CoverItLive session for a start to answering eternal questions.  What’s your opinion?

James Rowe

Is NPR Policy Sanity?

In the United States, National Public Radio becomes involved in controversy with a policy that forbids NPR editorial staff from attending the Rally to Restore Sanity in Washington, D.C., October 30th.  The event is sponsored by Jon Stewart, a comedian who is often considered a trusted source of editorial opinion.

The Huffington Post has a roundup of news policies from American news organizations.  NPR has a lot of company forbidding journalists to attend events as citizens when those same events are covered as news by their employer.  However, is Stewart’s rally a news event or comedy stunt?

In my opinion, none of this is as seriously thoughtful as it is truly comedic.  The NPR memo nor the rally nor the fact Stewart’s humor is a more trusted news source than perhaps NPR.  It’s all commentary on American zeitgeist.  What do you think, seriously?

James Rowe

Business of Journalism

Journalism entrepreneur is the au courant business model for news people.  Robert Niles at Online Journalism Review has a checklist for all planning the business of journalism.  American revolutionary pamphleteer Thomas Paine was an entrepreneurial journalist in the 18th century.  He said then, before the overthrow of the British in the new colonies, “An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.”  Good  luck.

James Rowe

Every Company Should Hire a Journalist

Marketing speaker David Meerman Scott admonishes journalists to consider working for non-media corporations.  Read his open letter to journalists about opportunity on what he calls “the dark side.”  Consider Scott’s admonition in light of the WebNewser report on Lewis Dvorkin, Chief Product Officer for Forbes.com.  Scott is far more seeing, in my opinion, in his proposal than Dvorkin’s total concession of standards for profit.

James Rowe

Tweet

Realizing Potential – Community Journalism

Chicago, IL is a city close to my heart and where I learned to believe it is one of the greatest “news” towns in the world.  Perhaps that’s hubris but a Chicago Reader report demonstrates my contention.  Read the blog post there and download The NEW NEWS 2010 study and the Realizing Potential: What Chicago’s Online Innovators Need report to learn more about new media and new journalism.  Chicago’s Community Media Workshop has their eyes wide open.  Perhaps they’ll open yours.

James Rowe

YouTube Plays Catch Up with Live Video Streams

Now everyone can produce live video broadcasts online. Live video streaming services were available before this week’s test by YouTube. The popular video sharing website is testing live video broadcasts for videographer’s using their platform. Of course, YouTube has tremendous reach so stay tuned.

You can broadcast live coverage of stories online right now if you have a webcam or video camera, computer and high speed Internet connection. Check out justin.tv, USTREAM, bambuser and qik for possibilities to get creative and go live. Reel Social Media will trade your email address for a free eBook on the essentials of video production for the total novice.

James Rowe

Buying the News

A must read is “News Merchant;” an the article on The Atlantic website.  Prepare to spend some time reading the treatise about check book journalism and Larry Garrison, the self-billed Newsbreaker.  The exposition delivers insight into the secrecy wall and money surrounding “the get.”  “The get” is what high profiled journalists refer to as landing a much sought after interview.

James Rowe

Journalism is Questions and Answers

In the age of digital living answering questions is immediate. 

I was taught in every story to always answer six questions:

1. Who
2. What
3. Where
4. When
5. Why
6. How

I have another question though – do you know your audience?

Please answer in the comment field  and/or at Polldaddy.

James Rowe

Social Media Simplified Webinar

Join us tomorrow for no cost Internet sessions on how to think about and plan social media for small businesses, medium businesses and community groups.  The processes introduced apply to journalism and new media.

There are three sessions tomorrow and you can register now for the dimdim webinars.  Invites are limited to 20 for each session and if the meeting you want attend is unavailable we’ll make you aware of new schedules.

Register right now, right here at our dimdim site.

You’ll learn how to plan to use social media and social networks.  Register today and do share; pass this information along to friends and associates.

Answer a few questions for us at SurveyMonkey.  Help us serve you better and please respond to the question “How can we serve you right now?”

James Rowe