citizen media

Blogger beware

An article in USA Today documents the apparently-increasing trend in bringing bloggers to court. From the piece:

Legal analysts say the lawsuits are challenging a mind-set that has long surrounded blogging: that most bloggers essentially are “judgment-proof” because they—unlike traditional media such as newspapers, magazines and television outlets—often are ordinary citizens who don’t have a lot of money. 

2 comments October 4th, 2006

Slashdot Jay Rosen interview

Slashdot published a Q&A with Jay Rosen that is definitely worth a read on the subject of citizen journalism.

Add comment October 4th, 2006

Spammed?

The past few days, I’ve gotten notices of new items in the comments of Citizen Media on my RSS reader, both under the iBrattleboro interview post, both having something to do with Paris Hilton, that when I popped over to the site, weren’t there. Are we getting robo comments?

The second thing I think of when that little RSS message comes up is that there hasn’t been much chatter here. Heather and I met a while back and expressed a will between us to keep meeting. Is anyone else monitoring this site and is there a wider will to continue meeting and generate some Western Mass blogging cameraderie?

10 comments August 31st, 2006

Podcamp Boston

If anyone’s interested, Sept 9-10 are the dates for Podcamp Boston. Registration list is here

Add comment July 26th, 2006

Citizen Journalism Un-Conference at Berkman

Here’s some info on the citizen journalism un-conference that Dan Gillmor’s planning at Harvard/Berkman Ctr. for Aug. 7….

Add comment July 10th, 2006

Onward?

I attended the Media Giraffe conference at UMass on Friday and saw Tish and Heather. Now that it is passed, I’m hoping that we will continue our work to create community in the Western Massachusetts blogosphere. The summer is always a tricky time to navigate, with vacations and all, but is there a will to have a next meeting?

8 comments July 5th, 2006

Media Giraffe

I have officially signed up for the 6/30 Media Giraffe local bloggers meetup track. Who else will be there?

Also, see my story in the Valley Advocate on the conference.

Add comment June 14th, 2006

Great Meetup

Heather, again: thanks. Your persistence in getting this group to go is very welcome. It was great to meet you in person yesterday and also with Tish and Bronwen. I blogged about it here. Tish, you talked yesterday a little bit about community and the community aspect of blogging and I think that’s definitely part of the attraction for me. So I’m glad that we were able to get together. And I was doubly glad to get drawn over to Open Square for the first time. Holyoke is a very interesting city.

Add comment June 8th, 2006

Meet Wed 6/7 10:30 am

Reminder, we set up a little citizen media types coffee meetup on Wednesday, June 7, 10:30 am at Open Square’s Black Sheep Deli, in Holyoke. Be there or be open square.

2 comments June 6th, 2006

Local Blog Conference

Now I hear from Bill Densmore that the Media Giraffe Conference will feature a blog wing after all:

AMHERST, Mass. — New England political bloggers will gather Friday, June 30, at the University of Massachusetts for a one-day “meet-up” to discuss the Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign and how they can increase their influence and support for watchdog journalism.

The meeting is the inspiration of political blogger Michael Dichiara of Shutesbury, Mass., blogger at WonkNot.net. The gathering will run from noon until 6 p.m. concurrently with other panels, sessions and meetings at the Media Giraffe conference, “Democracy & Independence: Sharing News & Politics in a Connected World.” Among topics bloggers may consider:

• Plans for coverage of the Massachusetts gubernatorial primary and election. How can bloggers have impact?
• Now that the blogosphere has grown to include “professionals”, what does this mean for “citizen” blogging.
• How can citizen poltical bloggers and professional journalists enhance each other’s “watchdog” role?
• Registration is $40 and includes access to all Media Giraffe conference sessions on Friday, June 30 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Political bloggers can bring their own food or eat at the Blue Wall cafe on campus. Further networking: at the “ice-cream social” 3:30-4:15 (included with registration) — a chance to mingle with fellow bloggers and all other conference attendees.

To register, go to the official Media Giraffe conference registration page, fill out contact information, then scroll down to and check of the “Special Event Registration” box. Then in the “other information” field near the bottom of the form, type: “Attending Friday Political Blogger Meetup–$40.00″. to see who is attending check out the Media Giraffe wiki.

 

So, what does that mean for us? Other than, “Who can attend?” of course. I’m certainly interested. 

5 comments June 5th, 2006