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Events
10 July 2009New Models: Journalism in a Digital Age
Social media and user-generated content have radically changed the way we gather news and receive information. Today, citizens around the world are joining traditional journalists in broadcasting information and sharing stories, whether via a blog entry, a Twitter feed, a Facebook update, or Flickr post. But with news gathering in all of our hands, what happens to journalistic responsibility, protocols and vetting procedures? What is the fate of traditional journalism? How can the changing media landscape maintain the principles of objectivity and accuracy?
The Ford Foundation brought together leading figures from new and traditional media to discuss these issues. "Journalism in a Digital Age" was moderated by Calvin Sims, a program officer for the foundation, and featured panelists:
- Jim Lehrer, anchor, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
- Charles Sennott, executive editor and co-founder, GlobalPost
- Chris Hughes, co-founder, Facebook
The May 2009 event reflects the foundation's long-term commitment to freedom of expression. Ford Foundation grantees work to strengthen public service media and to promote the free flow of information and ideas as the cornerstone of a healthy, vibrant democracy.
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The Value of Great Content
GlobalPost's Charles Sennott talks about the value of great newspaper content and how that can translate across different platforms. (1:30) -
How Communities Drive Great Content
Sennott and Jim Lehrer—anchor for The Newshour with Jim Lehrer on PBS—evaluate the role that communities have in driving great content. (1:35) -
New Platforms, New Outcomes
Co-founder of Facebook and founder of Jumo Chris Hughes talks about new competing platforms that are changing the way people listen, receive and respond to news. (1:08) -
What the Numbers Mean
Sennott considers the power of web metrics and how such numbers may be a help or hinderance to great content. (1:28) -
Reaching Specific Audiences
Hughes elaborates on web metrics and how to get great content to specific audiences. (3:12) -
Opportunities to Add Value
The three panelists evaluate what new opportunities are emerging in the field of journalism and how to make the most of them. (3:41) -
Curators of Information
Lehrer and Hughes talk maintaining the integrity of journalism across platforms and defining the role of the journalist as "curator of information." (4:56) -
The Role of Philanthropy
How will we save the newspaper industry? Hughes and Sennott consider what philanthropy can do. (1:41)
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