Twin Cities Media Alliance's 3rd Annual Public Forum: Life After Newspapers?

As someone who works at a newspaper, I am often asked to explain what the hell is going on with the industry. In recent years, local newspapers have faced buyouts, mergers, shoddy synergy, layoffs, walkouts, stolen property, and more. It might look like we are imitating the tabloid news we so fondly report on, and that grim times have befallen us, but have they really? Is there a window of opportunity for something more ambitious? More timely? More user-friendly for the public? These and many more questions will be pondered at this daylong event, featuring two panel talks: One is geared toward how industry folks fit into the shifting landscape, while the second focuses on the role of citizens during this change. After these two lectures, things will break up for lunch, followed by workshops and chats on blogging, the citizen journalist, and other topics. Speakers include keynote speaker Robert McChesney, an author of dozens of books on the media, as well as founder of Free Press. Joel Kramer (formerly at the Star Tribune, currently at www.minnpost.com), Steve Perry (former editor at City Pages, currently helming www.dailymole.com), and Brian Lambert (formerly of the Pioneer Press, currently at The Rake) are just a few of the local media folks participating. Call to RSVP. For more information and to register, visit www.tcdailyplanet.net/nov3forum or call 612.436.9188.
Sat., Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 2007