Academic

One of the most respected political journalists in North America, Helen Thomas, will be the first guest speaker Wednesday afternoon and evening. She will be reading from her new book and later leading a discussion about the continuing relevance of journalism. Ms. Thomas is no stranger to Canada. During a recent promotional tour for her book, she came to CBC’s morning public affairs program The Current. Like the American White House Press Corps, the Canadian parliamentary press gallery is facing a deliberate effort by the Prime Minister and his officials to control, and even restrict, reporters. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic

First published: June 28, 2006

There was a rather disjointed, unfocused session regarding the future of journalism this evening to kick off the next three days worth of session. Jeff Jarvis, a well-known leader in the area of blogging and online journalism, and Vin Crosbie, of the Corante Media Hub, steered the discussion under the title of “How will journalism stay relevant? To whom? In what forms?”

There was a strong message from Jarvis, in his opening remarks, asking the discussion NOT be about bloggers vs. journalists. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic

First published: June 29, 2006

The silent relationships of power are so subtle and yet they can be so obvious. Take for example the session last evening around the future of journalism. As anyone would expect, the physical set up was the same as expected. Two co-hosts, who lead the discussion, along with a panel of very distinquished journalist and educators from well-recognized institutions and media. The first thing was the dais and tables for the panel were on a raised stage. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic

First published: June 29, 2006

It is an amazing feel to realize American media leaders have caught up to the ideas and practices we have taught at Loyalist College for the past seven years. Our educate, engage and empower model just echoes throughout these halls. Nearly every panel so far this morning has mentioned educating people and themselves; engaging audiences and empowering people. Presenter Tom Rosenstiel, of Project on Excellence in Journalism, spoke about the new role for journalism. People who work in newsroom should be:
1.    Autheticator – we figure out what is going on – what is true; what is not
2.    Sense-maker – help people understand and assimilate the news. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic

First published: July 01, 2006

Citizen journalism is about power. It is being couched as a populist movement in journalism to tear down the mainstream media, which many people feel is not serving the public interest any more and has lost the trust and credibility that was its hallmark since modern journalism was framed a hundred years ago by Walter William. But after some consideration, I wonder if it is really about populism and more about replacing one hegemonic structure with another. In fact, it may be something even deeper: a transformation of journalism from its modernist roots into a postmodern form, with its irreverent style; its fragmentation; and, its indifference. The battle between mainstream media and those seeking an alternate form of journalism is more than obvious. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic

And yet another attempt to redefine journalism took place on Jeff Jarvis’ blog Buzz Machine as he announces the branding of online journalism as “networked journalism”, replacing “citizen journalism” in identifying some of the phenomena taking place around journalism and the Internet. In describing his own shift in thinking, Jarvis explains the term networked journalism does a better job describing the collaborative nature of the form of journalism he is promoting, where professionals and amateurs work together to get the “real story”. In this context, there would be a sharing of information, questions, answers, ideas and perspectives, creating a new complex relationship to formulate the news. This would pave the way for the public to become involve prior to the story being reported and journalists could seek help from the public as they are reporting. The idea is not entirely new. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic

First published: July 07, 2006

Just finished reading an interesting piece on cyberactivism by Henning Ziegler. He puts forward many valid ideas, but one stood out in particular for e-journalism. The notion of Sarai – an enclosed space in a city or beside a highway, where travelers and caravans can find shelter, sustenance and friendship might be a useful metaphor for the facilitative aspects of e-journalism. In the pursuit of the formation of a useful public sphere for citizen to find engagement, the idea of a virtual space where one is somewhat protected and allowed to express themselves is crucial. With the current Internet culture being one of aggression (flaming) or intimidation (wit-testing) among other qualities, e-journalism wants to create a space for engagement to take place where, as Habermas says, rational-critical discourse can take place. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic

First published: July 19, 2006

The merger of Bell Globemedia and CHUM received the expected threshold of coverage for a day or two, disappearing until the review process takes place. Commentary was limited in the mainstream media and the blogsphere to concerns around media concentration and consolidation of power over information channels in the hands a few. Something that is getting missed in all this is a debate over the quality of journalism. Senator Joan Fraser, chair of the committee on Transportation and Communication, raised concerns about journalism, but the issue did not seem to get a fair airing. It is difficult to see how news organizations under this new behemoth media corporation will provide resources to undertake high quality journalism, like investigative reporting. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic