NOT JUST TALK

What happens when only the journalism is left?
Follow the next steps after
Journalism That Matters: The DC Sessions which took place Tues.-Wed. Aug. 7-8, 2007 George Washington University, Washington, D.C.



Strip away the platforms, the jobs, the institutions, and what will sustain participatory democracy? Are we advancing to a news ecosystem more like English coffeehouses and pamphleteering than mass media? What happens when the "press" becomes a digital "pipe"? Who controls the press then?
The action-oriented discussions known as "Journalism That Matters" came to Washington, D.C. Journalists, academics and public advocates critiqued and built upon a upon a 21st-century newsroom prototype - and worked to develop an economic model that supports it.

"Journalism That Matters: The Next Newsroom," took place Aug. 7-8, 2007, at The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

(Click on image for larger view)

jtmdc2007_0015 jtmdc2007_0020 jtmdc2007_0030 jtmdc2007_0069 jtmdc2007_0077 jtmdc2007_0082 jtmdc2007_0087 jtmdc2007_0081 jtmdc2007_0061 jtmdc2007_0109 jtmdc2007_0096 jtmdc2007_0108 jtmdc2007_0060 jtmdc2007_0044 jtmdc2007_0047 jtmdc2007_0039 jtmdc2007_0048

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

  • Reading / Links
  • WHO CAME?
  • Download Program / Schedule (PDF)
  • Interview questions
  • Participant interview wiki
  • INVITATION
  • DOWNLOAD PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT (pdf)

    THE THEME

    "What will journalism be like when only the journalism is left?"

    Journalism is at a crossroads. What will support its basic values, while adapting its practice to new economic, social and technological realities? Yahoo and major news organizations are aligning for the efficent sale of advertising. Across the nation, dozens of citizens are experimenting with new forms of local, web-based journalism and community building -- and contemplating the potential, gradual, end of newsprint.

    THE NEXT NEWSROOM PROTOTYPE

    Answering that question, and setting the stage for the launching of at least one prototype of "The Next Newsroom" is the challenge of "Journalism That Matters: The DC Sessions."

  • DISCUSS THE PLAN
  • EDIT THE PLAN (wiki)
  • DOWNLOAD THE PLAN (pdf)
  • Our goal is to facilitate critical discussion on the future and sustainability of journalism. Our unique approach is to first assemble editors, publishers, writers, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, public advocates, independent and "citizen" journalists for fast, focused discussion. We'll then define the ownership, management, location and sustainability of a "next newsroom" prototype in at least one U.S. community, to launch in early- to mid-2008.

    We're going to answer this call:

      "Pick an ideal location, and start a news organization from scratch, using the best-available technology and ideas, and without the obligations or burdens of legacy processes or infrastructure. Where will it be, what will it look like, who will own it, and how will it run."

    THE FRAMES

    We're approaching this via three "frames":

  • New economic models
  • Training and education
  • The pro-am relationship

    As a nation, we have a difficult challenge ahead -- how to sustain independent, watchdog journalism. It's needed more than ever to help citizens understand the growing influence of government and corporations on our civil society. It's not clear that a Wall Street-driven, investor-owned approach is still the best.

    It's worth exploring -- and moving -- some alternatives.

    On Aug. 7-8 at The George Washington University, that's what we're be doing.


    JOURNALISM THAT MATTERS hosts conversations with a purpose. It engages the entire system of journalism -- reporters, editors, publishers, camera people, photographers, academics and audience, from newspapers, radio, television, and online media, including both mainstream and alternative sources -- with the changing nature and definition of news in a changing world. The point is to recommit journalism to what is fundamental for connecting news with its audience so that it serves and sustains us.

    ARCHIVE: JTM: The Memphis Sessions, Jan. 11-12, 2007

  • JTM2007

    Flickr Pics with JTM2007 tag

      www.flickr.com

    del.icio.us links with jtm2007 tag

    Technorati

    Creative Commons

      Creative Commons License

      JTMDC2007 is licensed under a Creative Commons license.