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Yes, sometimes I like to brag about my stellar husband, Colin. He’s helping to bring awareness and change in the public access, community media and citizen journalism front – and I couldn’t be prouder.
The following is from last week’s Alliance for Community Media Northeast Conference, where Colin talks about how new technologies offer a unique opportunity for community media and its members. To attain such success it is critical that a social media strategy is created cognizant of not only the wants and needs of a center’s members, but also takes into account what is currently being used. Remember, it’s about them, what they need to make media and to tell stories – it’s not about you [via Colin, stated in clip below].
For full post by Colin: Social Media and Community Television at ACMNE09
It can’t all be doom and gloom this week, right. That’s exactly why I’m bringing a little fun and creative cheer your way (post this morning’s journalistic rant).
Well, actually Erin, of Design For Mankind is bringing on the fun, and the goodies, via a week of fun giveaways. Need a dose of something bright, playful and fun, then check it out! Design For Mankind is guaranteed to brighten your day and get those creative juices flowing, even when it’s not giveaway week! P.S. latest edition of mankind mag: THE CONSUMPTION ISSUE.
One debate will not erase doubts that have been building about Palin’s capacity to serve as vice president, but the effect of the encounter may shift the focus away from the sideshow that Palin has become and put it back on the two presidential nominees and what they would do for the country. Thursday’s debate adds to the importance of the two remaining presidential debates, the first of which will be held Tuesday (courtesy of Palin Delivers, But Doubts Linger, Washington Post).
Last night’s debate was nothing more than milk toast. The behind the scene teams, on both camps, get an A+ in preparation – and Sarah Palin passes the test in memorization. It was all so scripted and safe. No doubt this was what the McCain camp needed in lieu of recent speaking bumbles on Palin’s part, i.e. the still recent Katie Couric interview. For me, it was anticlimactic, but I give Biden credit. He too gave an award winning, and tepid, performance and further solidified his place as a valuable, reputable and intelligent Vice President candidate.
For more reactions visit the Huffington Post.
I’ve been trying to remain neutral when it comes to any posts about the upcoming election, but this was simply too good to pass up. With the debates only a night away and the election just around the corner, even if you gave Palin the benefit of the doubt one has to wonder “what were they thinking?” It’s clear that some of Palin’s media sparkle has become muted – and the media (from NPR to NBC) has shifted their perspectives. This may or may not shift the greater public, but regardless, take a moment, watch and get ready for an interesting (and most likely memorable) debate tomorrow night.
The web continues to enable people, organizations and efforts from around the world to radiate change in unprecedented and increasingly innovative ways. MideastYouth.com is no exception. Esra’a Al Shafei of Bahrain, the 21-year-old director of the student-owned MideastYouth.com, recently spoke about MideastYouth as part of the Digital Natives project’s “Digital Natives Reporters in the Field” series.
The mission of MideastYouth is “to inspire and provide young people with the freedom and opportunity of expression, and facilitate a fierce but respectful dialogue among the highly diverse youth of all sects, socio-economic backgrounds, and political and religious beliefs in the Middle East.” MideastYouth.com fights for social change with podcasts, blogs, social networks, and online video (courtesy of Digital Natives).
Listen to the complete Digital Natives podcast here.
For the first time in quite a while I received a notification that a comment had been left on my blog. The excitement was surprising. I experienced a twitter of butterflies as I went to see who had commented – but alas, it was nothing, but spam pertaining to some male enhancement or another. Not what I was hoping for, but I should have known better. If I could only rekindled my relationship with blogging.
What happened? As with most relationships there’s a transition when one member of the relationship changes – the other is left trying to reconnect the dots with their lost companion whether literally or figuratively. I’m presently in the process of doing just that – connecting the dots – but it has proven to be a bit more challenging then when I was in kindergarten. The dots are more complex in form and trying to figure out what connects to what is an exercise in and of itself.
But progress is being made. I’ve realized, which dots are absent. My soul has been craving creativity, which has repeatedly been stifled for one reason or another. Music is back. Hearing a song or artist for the very first time is indescribable. I’m relishing in simple moments. So my relationship with blogging is changing. It’s not solely about the external movements occurring out within society, but rather exploring the internal shifts within myself as I move through that ever present and changing society.
Where do I go from? That’s to be continued…
What a transformative day – perhaps it’s the weather which is much more spring-like as opposed to the bone chilling cold of late or the dramatic transformation my own life has taken. The greatest change being my employment. I’m now working with the web communications team at Tufts University. It’s an exciting new phase in my life that aligns so wonderfully well with all the things I hold dear.
Though it does mean that my blogging will be a bit more spontaneous pending on the day. This blog is also going to transform. While it’ll continue to contain my reflections on the realm of social media and technology in society I’ve decided to include my own personal reflections on life – as I feel there will be much to digest.
This past Saturday I had the opportunity to volunteer at CCTV as they kick-ed off a digital divide project that they are implementing in associate with the City of Cambridge.
As part of the program, participants will receive a free refurbished computer (either PC or Mac) and a wireless Internet access node. During the training, participants will learn how to connect to the City’s wireless network using their wireless node, or transmitter. Through participants’ involvement in the program they will also be helping to strengthen the wireless network for their neighbors closest to them. To learn more about the City’s wireless network involved in this program, visit Cambridge Public Internet Initiative.
[Courtesy of Colin Rhinesmith. For more on the logistics and progress of this project visit Colin's blog as he's overseeing this initiative and has much to share.]
The day was full of excitement, laughter and (of course) food as participants visited us throughout the day to complete the orientation portion of the project. In total 30 participants attended. It was such a humbling reminder of the things I take for granted as well as the impact of the heighten progress of technology on those who simply want to participate, but do not have the physical means to do so.
What draws me to this particular program, in addition simply to its mission, is the amount of support integrated into the program. Prior to individuals receiving their respective computers they are required to attend a series of computer based trainings – and from there are provided with support as they get up and running. It truly is a great effort by some very passionate folks – with no doubt a life changing outcome for those involved.
If you live in one of the 22 states voting today, then it’s time to stop reading this blog and get out there – and vote! But don’t forget your camera.
The Polling Place Photo Project is a nationwide experiment in citizen journalism that encourages voters to capture, post and share photographs of this year’s primaries, caucuses and general election. By documenting local voting experiences, participants can contribute to an archive of photographs that captures the richness and complexity of voting in America.
Citizen Media Law Project Launches Online Legal Guide
Cambridge, MA – February 5, 2008 – The Citizen Media Law Project (CMLP) launched the first sections of its Citizen Media Legal Guide last week. The guide, intended for use by citizen media creators with or without formal legal training, addresses the legal issues that traditional and non-traditional journalists are likely to encounter as they gather information and publish their work online.
“There is a tremendous need for a comprehensive – yet approachable – guide to the legal issues faced by online publishers. As more journalists, whether professional or non-professional, begin to practice their craft online we hope that they can turn to this guide to help them understand the legal environment they are operating in,” said David Ardia, director and co-founder of the CMLP, an initiative to provide practical knowledge and tools for citizen media and to study the impact of law on online journalism.
The sections of the legal guide released so far include “Forming a Business and Getting Online,” which covers forming a for-profit or nonprofit business entity, choosing an online platform, and dealing with critical legal issues relating to the mechanics of online publishing, and “Dealing with Online Legal Risks,” which covers the legal issues involved in operating a blog or website, finding insurance, finding legal help, and responding to the different kinds of legal threats publishers may face as a result of their online activities.
Courtesy of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society (via press release).
Cambridge – A city program focused on giving wireless Internet access to low-income residents is leaving the tenants of one public housing complex feeling disconnected (read more).
Cambridge – A city program focused on giving wireless Internet access to low-income residents is leaving the tenants of one public housing complex feeling disconnected (read more).
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