Reminder: SPJ Digital Democracy Event

There’s still time to be a part of Digital Democracy, the 2008 Society of Professional Journalists Regional Conference on March 14-15 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

Join journalists from across western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, and beyond as we explore how the digital revolution - including blogs, online video, websites and social media - is changing traditional news media coverage and citizens’ access to the political process. Hear speakers from The New York Times, Hearst-Argyle Television, J-Lab, NewsBusters, Media Matters, The Media Bloggers Association and more.

New Tools for Mainstream Media: Exploring Digital Content

Bloggers As Journalists, Journalists As Bloggers

2008 Race: Online & On The Road

Subpoenaed For Her Sources: Journalist Toni Locy

Online Media Criticism From The Right

Online Media Criticism From The Left

Participatory Journalism & Citizen Media

Journalism 2.0: Survive & Thrive

New Media: Journalism 2010

Open Records Laws: Forum & Update

Hosted by the Pittsburgh Professional Chapter, the conference includes a Friday night reception and Saturday full of conference activities, including the annual regional Mark of Excellence Awards banquet.

There is no late fee for online registration. Rates start at $65 for students and $85 for professionals.

Registration Link

For out of town attendees, a limited number of hotel rooms at the SPJ discounted rate still are available at the Omni William Penn Hotel. However, they will not last long. To book a room, call (412) 281-7100 or visit the conference Web site, spj.org/pittsburgh.

See you there!

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Digital Democracy -- You're Invited

Digital Democracy is a special event happening here in Pittsburgh next month. This is a project I've been working on for months and I'm excited to let you know about it now.

It's a conference that will explore how the digital revolution -- including blogs, online video, websites and social media -- is changing traditional news media coverage and citizens' access to the political process.

The event includes national-caliber speakers who are coming to town on Saturday, March 15.

Its website is now online at:

http://www.spj.org/pittsburgh

Our speakers include:

• New York Times Online Politics Editor Kate Phillips, who writes for and edits The Caucus, The New York Times politics news blog.

• Newsbusters.org Executive Editor Matthew Sheffield

• MediaMatters.org Senior Fellow & Director of Special Projects Paul Waldman

• Hearst-Argyle Director of Digital Media Content Jacques Natz

• J-Lab Executive Director Jan Schaffer

• Media Bloggers Association President Robert Cox

Other speakers include former USA Today reporter Toni Locy, who's topic is "Subpoenaed For Her Sources". She's the subject of a contempt-of-court request for her refusal to identify sources who provided her information about the 2001 anthrax attacks and the subsequent investigation.

There will also be sessions on "Bloggers as Journalists and Journalists as Bloggers", on new media skills and digital literacy for reporters, and on Open Records laws.

Digital Democracy is a Society of Professional Journalists regional conference, hosted by the Pittsburgh chapter. Region 4 covers Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, but the event can draw from beyond. Its something for all journalists -- and you don't have to be a member of SPJ. In fact, given the theme, bloggers, students, and others with an interest and involvement in the conference theme are welcome to attend. The Digital Democracy website has links for online registration and there's a special rate for students and SPJ members.

If you've been wondering why I haven't been blogging as much here on the Busman's Holiday for a while, it's because I've been working on this event. I'm program chair and have been lining up the speakers. I also created the website for the event. I know some fellow journalists check out the blog here, and I want to encourage you to join us and to spread the word. This is a professional enrichment event intended everyone in news organizations across the region. Links to more specifics are on the website. I hope to see you there.

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Reminder: You're Invited!

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[UPDATE: Our event will be in the Lower Lounge of the William Pitt Union, off of the Main Floor lobby. If you enter from the 5th Avenue side of the William Pitt Union, walk in towards the center of the building and you will find the Lower Lounge atrium is to your left.]


This is a reminder that you're invited to join us for a special event Saturday afternoon.

If you're coming, please note the traffic advisory at the bottom of this post.

We think you'll find the event interesting, whether you work in the news media or you're someone who wants to learn more about your rights as a Pennsylvania citizen to access public records.

It's a Forum on Open Government & Pennsylvania Open Records Law Workshop on September 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the William Pitt Student Union on Pitt's Oakland campus. The event is co-sponsored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition.

The event is free and you don't have to pre-register, but please RSVP if you can.

You can learn more about it by checking out Pittsburgh SPJ's website, and using the "click here for details" link in the top banner. If there are updates to the program, we'll provide them there. The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition's (PaFOIC) website is a great place for exploring the subject.


Thanks.


Please note the likelihood of traffic delays due to work on the Parkway East.
I'm providing links below to a newspaper article on the subject.


Parkway East will be down to 1 lane each way - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


The following detour suggestion is from a PennDOT website:

Ramp Closures at Bates Street

• I-376 WestBound Off Ramp to SR 885 North (3B)
Suggested Detour:
- Take Exit 1C (Grant St)
- Make right onto Blvd of Allies (SR 885 North)
- Can access both SR 885 and Second Ave.

• I-376 EastBound On Ramp to SR 885
Suggested Detour:
- Take Second Ave. west to the Blvd. of the Allies
- Access I-376 EB from Blvd. of the Allies

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Open Government, Open Records: You're Invited!

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Team 4 Investigative Reporter Jim Parsons and I have been working on a special event and you're invited to join us.

We think you'll find it interesting, whether you work in the news media or you're someone who wants to learn more about your rights as a Pennsylvania citizen to access public records.

It's a Forum on Open Government & Pennsylvania Open Records Law Workshop on September 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the William Pitt Student Union on Pitt's Oakland campus. The event is co-sponsored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition.

I'm on the local SPJ board, and Jim's on the board of the PaFOIC. It turns out that both organizations were working on similar programs, so we decided to pool our efforts and invite the public to join us. The event is free and you don't have to pre-register, but please RSVP if you can.

You can learn more about it by checking out Pittsburgh SPJ's website, and using the "click here for details" link in the top banner. If there are updates to the program, we'll provide them there. The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition's (PaFOIC) website is a great place for exploring the subject.

In the days ahead, I'll be posting links to articles and information of interest on related topics here on The Busman's Holiday.

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