Journalism News Roundup

There's a lot going on out there, so I decided today's post would be a series of items I've been saving from my Google Reader on the changes facing the journalism industry. I decided to focus only on the good news, and I'm pleased to note that there's plenty out there to report. Seattle's PublicCola blog has received a "significant" amount of funding from from Rajeev Singh, president and COO of Concur Technologies, and Greg Smith, a green developer, reports PaidContent.org. Creators of the politics and local affairs blog would not disclose the amount, but says it's enough to keep the venture afloat for some time.” As the debate rages on among journalists on Twitter (I am a believer), the PBS's Media Shift blog has come up with its own rules of engagement for those who choose to use the microblogging tool. Tips include: think before you Tweet; be an active Twit; and establish your Twitter identity. Don't look for the current ad slump for traditional media to ever go away, warns Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in EditorsWeblog.org. Saying media companies need to reset, media companies must completely rethink their business models to keep up with the changing landscape of publishing, he observed. Today Show news anchor Ann Curry recently spoke at the Twitter 140Conference in New York City. In an interview with SocialMedia.biz, she compared Twitter with an electronic newspaper to tout stories that didn't air, via her handle@AnnCurry. The Techdirt blog has a post about how Reuters, unlike the Associated Press, is embracing the future direction of journalism. I was struck by a quote from Reuters Editor in Chief, David Schlesinger: Fundamentally, the old media won't control news dissemination in the future. And organisations can't control access using old forms of accreditation any more. Those statements mean what they say and not necessarily more. I am not arguing that newspapers and magazines and news services will die. No, just that they must change.

I'll end this point on a humorous note. This past Friday was the last day for Paul Merkoski, executive editor of the Press of Atlantic City. He offered a top 10 list of the things he'd miss most -- and least -- after leaving. What he'll miss most: hearing and sensing the hum of human energy that builds and washes across a newsroom when a significant news story begins to unfold and the newsroom's coverage scramble begins. What he'll miss least: Hearing local radio stations that don't employ ANY reporters shamelessly stealing the work of Press reporters and passing it off as their own "news reports."

Meanwhile, here's a few NABJ housekeeping notes. You can still vote online through Aug. 7. The webinar for the board secretary candidates is tomorrow from 1-2 p.m. Click here to sign up to listen to the candidates -- Sherlon Christie (who I've endorsed), Roland Marting and Jacqualine Williams -- offer their platforms and answer your questions.

And last -- but not least -- July 1 is the last day to register in advance for the annual conference Aug. 5-9 in Tampa. Click here to register, and I hope to see you there!!