Wikileaks brings up one of the best arguments of our time about mainstream vs independent media. Mainstream media has helped the assault on Wikileaks, probably because they aren't the one getting the scoop.
The legal attacks on Wikileaks would never happen to a mainstream outlet. In fact, is doesn't, because of Time v US, the Supreme Court case regarding the publication of the Pentagon Papers.
Through that litigation, the Court established that the only party who can be prosecuted for releasing classified information is the person who actually leaks it. The publication who runs it is protected under the first amendment.
This precedent has protected publications time and time again when they spread damning information and protect whistle-blowers. However, the publication had always been mainstream media.
Since Wikileaks is online-based and an independent outlet, it has taken harsher scrutiny for its publishing. There have been multiple attempts to get it off the internet under national security claims from different countries. They wouldn't be able to make the same claims with the New York Times.
It will be interesting to see how the courts deal with this most recent Bradley case with Wikileaks. If they decide not to give Wikileaks the same protection as they do mainstream outlets, it could be disastrous for interdependent investigative journalism.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Legal Insurrection: Doing It Right
The common belief with blogging is that anyone can do it and be successful. While that's somewhat true, not just "anyone" can do it, which becomes more clear when seeing how much hard work William Jacobson puts into Legal Insurrection.
As of 2:10 on a Saturday afternoon, there are already 4 new posts today on the site. They aren't particularly long or in depth, but they deliver the news and add some opinion, but not so much that it will drastically turn anyone off.
That constant update of information of the day's hottest topics is what you need to do in order to build and maintain an audience with so many option on the internet. Sure, "anyone" can do it, but they need to have the dedication and work ethic to make it really successful.
What Jacobson also does well with this site is getting the advertising space in without it being overwhelming. There is a clear column where you can keep your eyes to see all of the content, so you are not bombarded by ads.
Likewise, the "donate" section is extremely visible and easy to navigate. You can do it all right on the site and can chose your own amount to donate.
The layout is welcoming, the content strong, and has many options to go to other featured sites within Legal Insurrection. It is a great model to use for others trying to be successful as well.
As of 2:10 on a Saturday afternoon, there are already 4 new posts today on the site. They aren't particularly long or in depth, but they deliver the news and add some opinion, but not so much that it will drastically turn anyone off.
That constant update of information of the day's hottest topics is what you need to do in order to build and maintain an audience with so many option on the internet. Sure, "anyone" can do it, but they need to have the dedication and work ethic to make it really successful.
What Jacobson also does well with this site is getting the advertising space in without it being overwhelming. There is a clear column where you can keep your eyes to see all of the content, so you are not bombarded by ads.
Likewise, the "donate" section is extremely visible and easy to navigate. You can do it all right on the site and can chose your own amount to donate.
The layout is welcoming, the content strong, and has many options to go to other featured sites within Legal Insurrection. It is a great model to use for others trying to be successful as well.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Independent Media Center
I was curious about how the mainstream media viewed independent media, so I did a basic Google search on independent media to see if any articles had been written about it (which would have surprised me).
Instead, what I found was the website for the Independent Media Center.
It is an organization comprised of many independent media outlets and journalists to cover issues not getting enough attention around the world. It is translated into eight different languages.
There are no advertisements, exept for a small one toward the bottom of the page. The "support us" button is difficult to find as well. However, the site explains how you can volunteer, and also what the money you are donating will go to. Hopefully that makes people feel better about helping the cause.
There is a list on the left sidebar of separate cities you can look at the news from. None of these include U.S. cities, which emphasizes the fact that this site has an international focus.
They make use of multimedia, with a video channel and contributions beyond just text. However, the site is a little dark-looking, and possibly not the most welcoming looking site to get some of this information.
Instead, what I found was the website for the Independent Media Center.
It is an organization comprised of many independent media outlets and journalists to cover issues not getting enough attention around the world. It is translated into eight different languages.
There are no advertisements, exept for a small one toward the bottom of the page. The "support us" button is difficult to find as well. However, the site explains how you can volunteer, and also what the money you are donating will go to. Hopefully that makes people feel better about helping the cause.
There is a list on the left sidebar of separate cities you can look at the news from. None of these include U.S. cities, which emphasizes the fact that this site has an international focus.
They make use of multimedia, with a video channel and contributions beyond just text. However, the site is a little dark-looking, and possibly not the most welcoming looking site to get some of this information.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Following Seldes
George Seldes may have died long before the blogging boom, but he was, in many ways, the first true blogger. He didn't have access. He didn't have funding. He didn't have help. But with pure desire, determination, and thorough reporting, Seldes created one of the greatest independent media outlets of our time.
Bloggers now have a much larger field to pick stories from. They have readers and followers who can keep their eyes and ears open to help generate content. Seldes did it all himself.
Watching him talk with such fervor about his craft is really inspiring. Here's an interview with him from 1983.
The daily 4 o'clock martini break is pretty awesome too.
Bloggers now have a much larger field to pick stories from. They have readers and followers who can keep their eyes and ears open to help generate content. Seldes did it all himself.
Watching him talk with such fervor about his craft is really inspiring. Here's an interview with him from 1983.
The daily 4 o'clock martini break is pretty awesome too.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Lessons We Can Still Learn From Ida B. Wells
We have a tendency to think that things that happened in the past don't apply to us. We rationalize with "things were different then" and "now, that would never work." But there are certain ideas and techniques that can transcend eras, and that is the case with the journalism of Ida B. Wells.
Wells did what every independent journalist today attempts to do: shape the discussion in the mainstream media. She worked incessantly, researching and attending lynchings to make her reporting as accurate as possible. Wells did her own investigating to get the story no one else wanted to touch.
Her persistence angered a lot of people. It ran her away from her home and threatened her life. She had to carry a gun with her for protection. But Wells kept going, fully embodying a principle that isn't only indicative of independent media, but of journalism as a whole.
She built the watchdog role of the media in a time when that was very difficult, because you had to go to the direct source to get a story. It isn't like now, when independent media outlets can investigate from the comfort of their own home via the internet and telephones.
Wells was a true trailblazer in the profession, not only being black, but also being a woman. This was a time when she was rejected from mainstream media because of what she looked like and her gender, but that didn't stop her. She worked hard and earned their respect (for the most part). Truly an inspiration to those of us looking to make a difference in media.
Wells did what every independent journalist today attempts to do: shape the discussion in the mainstream media. She worked incessantly, researching and attending lynchings to make her reporting as accurate as possible. Wells did her own investigating to get the story no one else wanted to touch.
Her persistence angered a lot of people. It ran her away from her home and threatened her life. She had to carry a gun with her for protection. But Wells kept going, fully embodying a principle that isn't only indicative of independent media, but of journalism as a whole.
She built the watchdog role of the media in a time when that was very difficult, because you had to go to the direct source to get a story. It isn't like now, when independent media outlets can investigate from the comfort of their own home via the internet and telephones.
Wells was a true trailblazer in the profession, not only being black, but also being a woman. This was a time when she was rejected from mainstream media because of what she looked like and her gender, but that didn't stop her. She worked hard and earned their respect (for the most part). Truly an inspiration to those of us looking to make a difference in media.
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