US Considers Media Future

The United States Federal Communications Commission wants to hear what you have to say about the future of media in the digital age. The FCC public comment period is open until March 8^th and you can make your opinions known at the agency’s special website. It is your time to speak and there is a forum. Let’s see what happens.

James Rowe

What Should A Journalist Do or Not Do?

The Poynter Institute attempts to collect one hundred tweets on the subject. The Institute is still working on the collection which it plans to publish. Poynter tweeted a list of twenty-three so far. Of the retweets I like “journalists should follow the facts where they lead, especially if that’s somewhere unexpected & uncomfortable.”

James Rowe

Journalist Entrepreneur

Knight Digital Media Center believes the opposing vocations can be combined.  KDMC is seeking applications to its springtime  news entrepreneurs boot camp.

James Rowe

Journalism Grew Most Dangerous Last Decade

The year 2009 closed with a record number of journalists killed according to The Committee to Protect Journalists.  Sixty-eight killed last year; just one more than in 2007.  Thirty killed at one time in the Philippines late last year.  Telling the truth is often dangerous.

James Rowe

Journalism Requires Multiple Skills

Eight traits a journalist must have is how Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism student Vadim Lavrusik boils down necessary characteristics. In his mashup Lavrusik wrote

News companies are seeking journalists who are jacks of all trades, yet still masters of one (or more).

 

James Rowe

Be Counted

Take the “twtpoll” (twitter poll)   -  Where do you go online for information about what’s happening in journalism? 

I’m repeating a tweet from the good folks at Poynter.  The “twtpoll” is also an excellent start to a 2010 journalism sources list for all surviving 2009.

A Happy and Prosperous New Year to All

James Rowe

Aol Seeks Part Time Writers

Aol, the American online service abandoned by Time Warner, dons a new logo.  Crunch Board Job Board reports Aol seeks part time writers with “solid news judgment” for its Sphere website.  The email address for application is listed as newswriters@aim.com.

James Rowe

Online Content Eligible for Murrow Awards

The United States organization Radio Television Digital News Association honors its name change by including online audio and video productions in its awards competition for 2010.  February 1, 2010 is the deadline for submissions to the Edward R. Murrow awards competition held every year.  Next year though, the news professionals organization welcomes “audio and video that appeared exclusively online” as eligible to win in all categories. 

James Rowe

Taking the High Ground in Social Media

The Radio Television Digital News Association’s Communicator blog has a post titled for the journalist whose actions generated the story.  Kurt Greenbaum,  St. Louis Post Dispatch social media director,  was cited for tracking down the author of repeated foul comments on the news organization’s blog.  The so-called “Greenbaum Effect” used the commenter’s IP address to identify him.  The Post Dispatch complaint caused the dirty comments writer to lose his teaching job; adding one more to unemployment bloat in the United States.  Greenbaum’s tactics bring into question the tolerance of traditional journalism and social media.

James Rowe

Know Your Audience

Knowing to whom you speak is advice I have been given from many.  Audience governs how you present as well as the information you offer.  Ethics is a stronger governing force though.

James Rowe