Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Big Question
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Not all bloggers are journalists, but some bloggers are "without question" journalists, at least according to what's thought to be the first court ruling on the issue, according to the Coalition of Journalists for Open Government. The MTF grantee reports that Federal Judge Henry M. Herlong Jr. "dismissed a trademark violation lawsuit against the blogger, noting that the Lanham Act exempts 'all forms of news reporting and news commentary.' " The judge believed the blogger's article about an auction listings company that sold items on eBay was "clearly journalism, based on both a functional analysis and an examination of blogger's intent."
For more analysis and to see the ruling, visit CJOG at www.cjog.net.
For more analysis and to see the ruling, visit CJOG at www.cjog.net.
Friday, October 26, 2007
IA School Principal Yanks Paper With Racism Survey
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that a school newspaper in Iowa City was pulled earlier this week after a survey on racial attitudes allegedly caused three "near fights" between students.
The article states that a plea for action against racism appeared in the same issue of City High's Little Hawk that ran the survey. Executive Editor Adam Sullivan says that the survey was intended to encourage discussions about race among students. He also says that Principal Mark Hanson did not inform anybody of his decision to pull the paper ahead of time. Hanson said that his decision was spurred by concerns over violence. "If I think there is something endangering student safety, I'm going to do something about it," he said.
Read the whole story here.
The article states that a plea for action against racism appeared in the same issue of City High's Little Hawk that ran the survey. Executive Editor Adam Sullivan says that the survey was intended to encourage discussions about race among students. He also says that Principal Mark Hanson did not inform anybody of his decision to pull the paper ahead of time. Hanson said that his decision was spurred by concerns over violence. "If I think there is something endangering student safety, I'm going to do something about it," he said.
Read the whole story here.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sign Us Up For This Trip!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
McClatchy Newspapers reports that U.S. taxpayers are picking up the tab for foreign journalists to visit the country on wine junkets.
These wine-writer tours, part of the Ag-Department's Market Access Program, are said to boost foreign sales of U.S.-produced wine, according to the article (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/michael_doyle/story/20694.html). The selected writers, who tour various wineries and taste hundreds of samples, are expected to produce feature articles in return for their travel costs.
Foreign consumption of U.S.-produced wine is booming and now accounts for more than $1.2 billion in exports, and many wine experts consider the marketing program a success.
On the other hand, U.S. journalists aren't as pleased, as the program raises a host of ethical questions. Any thoughts? The House of Representatives is considering boosting the Market Acccess Program from $200 million to $225 million annually, according to McClatchy.
These wine-writer tours, part of the Ag-Department's Market Access Program, are said to boost foreign sales of U.S.-produced wine, according to the article (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/michael_doyle/story/20694.html). The selected writers, who tour various wineries and taste hundreds of samples, are expected to produce feature articles in return for their travel costs.
Foreign consumption of U.S.-produced wine is booming and now accounts for more than $1.2 billion in exports, and many wine experts consider the marketing program a success.
On the other hand, U.S. journalists aren't as pleased, as the program raises a host of ethical questions. Any thoughts? The House of Representatives is considering boosting the Market Acccess Program from $200 million to $225 million annually, according to McClatchy.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Attorney General Nominee Wouldn't Shield Journalists
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey, a 66-year-old retired federal judge, has issued statements saying that he will not tolerate Executive Branch meddling in Justice Department affairs and he does not support the use of torture in the interrogation of terrorist suspects.
But he also indicated that he does not support the proposed shield law that would allow journalists to keep their sources confidential. Mukasey believes that it’s easier to correct procedures internally when necessary than to reverse legislation that’s “etched in stone,” and said he believes that the Justice Department’s procedures have been effective so far with regard to interrogations.
President Bush has threatened to veto the shield law bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the House this past week.
But he also indicated that he does not support the proposed shield law that would allow journalists to keep their sources confidential. Mukasey believes that it’s easier to correct procedures internally when necessary than to reverse legislation that’s “etched in stone,” and said he believes that the Justice Department’s procedures have been effective so far with regard to interrogations.
President Bush has threatened to veto the shield law bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the House this past week.
New Design for Reznet
Thursday, October 18, 2007
We've just learned from Denny McAuliffe at the University of Montana that Reznet has launched a new Web design (www.reznetnews.org). Founded in 2002 and touting itself as the "online newspaper for Native America," Reznet (an MTF Journalism Program grantee) hires some 30 Native American college students nationwide as reporters, editors, photographers and multimedia journalists to cover tribal communities or schools during the academic year. Most staff members are grads of the Freedom Forum’s American Indian Journalism Institute, a three-week training and internship program held each June at the University of South Dakota. The site sports a nice new look and new bells and whistles, such as a featured “Native Video of the Day.”
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
House Says Yes to Shield Law
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Shield Law movement gained more momentum yesterday when the House of Representatives passed a federal shield bill by a vote of 398-21, according to Editor & Publisher (http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003659071). The bill would preserve the identities of journalists' sources in many federal court cases. Its passage comes nearly two weeks after the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a similar version of its own shield bill.
The White House has warned it will veto the House bill because it thinks the law could harm national security through leaks of classified information, E&P reported.
The White House has warned it will veto the House bill because it thinks the law could harm national security through leaks of classified information, E&P reported.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Picking Up the Investigative Tab
Monday, October 15, 2007
With news media outlets slashing investigative reporting budgets, a group of journalists and investors are stepping forward with a new model that they hope will fill the gap. Led by veteran Wall Street Journal editor Paul Steiger, the consortium of investigative journalists plans to "do long-term projects, uncovering misdeeds in government, business and organizations," according to The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/business/media/15publica.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=media&adxnnlx=1192453448-wMxqq682EnnL29gJG7QdMQ&oref=slogin)
The intended non-profit organization, to be called Pro Publica, will be based in New York City and consist of 24 journalists. Slated to open early next year, the outfit will be funded by a $10 million per year commitment from the former chief executives of the Golden West Financial Corp ., according to the Times. Several other foundations have pledged more modest grants.
It will be interesting to watch the experiment unfold to see whether the output is picked up by professional media and whether the group can find sustained funding.
The intended non-profit organization, to be called Pro Publica, will be based in New York City and consist of 24 journalists. Slated to open early next year, the outfit will be funded by a $10 million per year commitment from the former chief executives of the Golden West Financial Corp ., according to the Times. Several other foundations have pledged more modest grants.
It will be interesting to watch the experiment unfold to see whether the output is picked up by professional media and whether the group can find sustained funding.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Shedding Light on Foreign News Coverage
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
John Maxwell Hamilton's fascination with the history of foreign news coverage sparked the creation of From Our Own Correspondent, a series of books based on the writings and memoirs of legendary overseas journalists. The latest entry is Journalism of the Highest Realm, the memoir of pioneering Chicago Daily News foreign correspondent Edward Price Bell.
Hamilton, dean of Louisiana State University's Manship School of Communication, uncovered the long-forgotten Bell memoir in Chicago's Newberry Library. The edited autobiography tells how a bright-eyed teen reporter in Terra Haute, Ind ., developed into the dean of the foreign press corps in London during and after World War I. In addition, Bell's superb journalism skills set the standard for the Daily News foreign service, widely recognized as the premier source for international news and analysis. Hamilton and co-editor Jaci Cole also provide valuable insight on the development of foreign news gathering at a time when it has never been more important. A dead-on foreword by James F. Hoge, Jr., the last editor of the Daily News and current editor of Foreign Affairs, traces the evolution of overseas news gathering and the vital roles played by Bell and the Daily News foreign service.
Hamilton launched the From Our Own Correspondent series last April with Waugh in Abyssinia by Evelyn Waugh. Next up is a long out-of-print collection of Crimean War dispatches by William Howard Russell. LSU Press is publishing the series.
Hamilton, dean of Louisiana State University's Manship School of Communication, uncovered the long-forgotten Bell memoir in Chicago's Newberry Library. The edited autobiography tells how a bright-eyed teen reporter in Terra Haute, Ind ., developed into the dean of the foreign press corps in London during and after World War I. In addition, Bell's superb journalism skills set the standard for the Daily News foreign service, widely recognized as the premier source for international news and analysis. Hamilton and co-editor Jaci Cole also provide valuable insight on the development of foreign news gathering at a time when it has never been more important. A dead-on foreword by James F. Hoge, Jr., the last editor of the Daily News and current editor of Foreign Affairs, traces the evolution of overseas news gathering and the vital roles played by Bell and the Daily News foreign service.
Hamilton launched the From Our Own Correspondent series last April with Waugh in Abyssinia by Evelyn Waugh. Next up is a long out-of-print collection of Crimean War dispatches by William Howard Russell. LSU Press is publishing the series.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Senate Judiciary Committee Clears Shield Bill
Friday, October 05, 2007
A federal reporter’s shield bill will be headed to the Senate floor for a vote, The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press reported yesterday. Calling the vote ‘historic,’ RCFP executive director Lucy Dalglish said, “The overwhelming vote in favor of the bill demonstrates that reporters have made the case for legally protecting sources.” The bill would provide legal protections for reporters who find themselves subpoenaed to testify or produce documents in a federal court proceeding.
On Thursday, bill S. 2035 was approved by a vote of 15-2 to go to the Senate floor. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said that while journalists report sensitive and important information from sources who need protection, it was time for the law to recognize the valuable role they play in democracy. The bill provides a qualified privilege that can be overcome if “all reasonable alternative sources” of the testimony or documents have been exhausted, the information is essential to a case, and that “nondisclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.”
Critics, including the Bush administration, contend that even with the national security exception this bill would impair the government’s ability to discover leaks that pose a risk to national security.
The text of the bill (before the addition of amendments from yesterday’s markup hearing) can be found at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.2035:
On Thursday, bill S. 2035 was approved by a vote of 15-2 to go to the Senate floor. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said that while journalists report sensitive and important information from sources who need protection, it was time for the law to recognize the valuable role they play in democracy. The bill provides a qualified privilege that can be overcome if “all reasonable alternative sources” of the testimony or documents have been exhausted, the information is essential to a case, and that “nondisclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.”
Critics, including the Bush administration, contend that even with the national security exception this bill would impair the government’s ability to discover leaks that pose a risk to national security.
The text of the bill (before the addition of amendments from yesterday’s markup hearing) can be found at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.2035:
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Technology Crossing Continents
Thursday, October 04, 2007
No more pricey "bloated" bureaus for ABC News, which just announced that it plans to expand its foreign coverage in the coming months through the use of mobile one-person operations in Africa, India and other countries, according to a recent piece by The Hollywood Reporter.
Like most large media outlets, ABC had shuttered some of its foreign bureaus due to high costs associated with personnel, security, travel, etc. Now the network will provide single reporters with hand-held digital technology so they can work from home and travel to produce packages for ABCNews.com, ABC News Now, World News Tonight and Good Morning America, according to the Reporter. It will be interesting to see if any of its competitors follow suit.
For more information, check out the Reporter's article:
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i47e6403b3602038866ba096cb9fcdc29)
Like most large media outlets, ABC had shuttered some of its foreign bureaus due to high costs associated with personnel, security, travel, etc. Now the network will provide single reporters with hand-held digital technology so they can work from home and travel to produce packages for ABCNews.com, ABC News Now, World News Tonight and Good Morning America, according to the Reporter. It will be interesting to see if any of its competitors follow suit.
For more information, check out the Reporter's article:
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i47e6403b3602038866ba096cb9fcdc29)
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
NEWS CHALLEGE DEADLINE
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Knight Foundation's second annual News Challenge, a contest encouraging the innovative use of digital technology in community journalism. The contest is open to applicants worldwide and aims to foster community-building through contestants' effective use of digital tools to distribute news and information in separate geographic areas.
The News Challenge attracts a diverse pool of applicants. Last year's $5 million prize winner was MIT Media Lab/Comparative Media Studies for their project, the Center for Future Civic Media. Other prize winners also included academic institutions, such as Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism (to create the Digital News Academic Program) and Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (to establish ASU's Knight-Kauffman Center), as well as community journalists and even bloggers.
The Knight Foundation intends to invest $25 million in the News Challenge over the next five years with the goal of attracting the best and brightest in digital news. As Knight Foundation President Alberto Ibargüen states, "It is vital that we discover how digital technologies can serve the information needs of physical communities in a democracy."
McCormick Tribune Foundation is also deeply committed to innovation in digital journalism. The Journalism Program recently approved a $100,000 grant to the City University of New York to support a graduate-level Entrepreneurial Journalism course and a $125,000 grant to the University of Maryland's J-Lab for support of the McCormick Tribune Initiative for New Media Women Entrepreneurs.
The News Challenge attracts a diverse pool of applicants. Last year's $5 million prize winner was MIT Media Lab/Comparative Media Studies for their project, the Center for Future Civic Media. Other prize winners also included academic institutions, such as Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism (to create the Digital News Academic Program) and Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (to establish ASU's Knight-Kauffman Center), as well as community journalists and even bloggers.
The Knight Foundation intends to invest $25 million in the News Challenge over the next five years with the goal of attracting the best and brightest in digital news. As Knight Foundation President Alberto Ibargüen states, "It is vital that we discover how digital technologies can serve the information needs of physical communities in a democracy."
McCormick Tribune Foundation is also deeply committed to innovation in digital journalism. The Journalism Program recently approved a $100,000 grant to the City University of New York to support a graduate-level Entrepreneurial Journalism course and a $125,000 grant to the University of Maryland's J-Lab for support of the McCormick Tribune Initiative for New Media Women Entrepreneurs.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Specialized Reporting Institute - LOIs due Oct. 8!
Monday, October 01, 2007
FYI - We're still looking for great ideas and partners for the next round of McCormick Tribune Foundation Specialized Reporting Institutes. These intensive journalism workshops provide subject-specific expertise and practical reporting training in timely, specialized topics of importance to media consumers. Letters of inquiry for proposed 2008 institutes are due by Oct. 8. For more information, contact the Journalism Program.
Well Deserved Honor
Monday, October 01, 2007
Credit the tenacity of MTF grantee Olga Briseño for the U.S. Postal Service's decision to issue a 2008 commemorative stamp honoring legendary journalist Ruben Salazar. The former Los Angeles Times columnist was killed at age 42 covering the East Los Angeles riots in 1970. His courageous efforts to chronicle the complexity of race relations inspired many journalists and students, especially Mexican-Americans. Briseño, now director of the University of Arizona's Media, Democracy & Policy Initiative, spearheaded the two-year research and marketing blitz required to sway the Postal Service.
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