Journalism

The New America Foundation's Media Policy Initiative just issued a report on the media ecosystem in Philadelphia. Through the report they explore the work of MMP and the future of journalism in the city. Full report available at the NAF blog.

By: Joshua Breitbart

"Infection in our Health Care System," an hour-long investigation by Media Mobilizing Project (MMP) into the local impacts of the healthcare crisis, premiered May 18 on PhillyCAM, the new public access cable station serving the people of Philadelphia.

The show is the first episode of MMPTV and it bears both the grandeur and flaws of any new ambitious undertaking. For an issue that has dropped off the media radar since passage of federal health care reform, however, the report adds new perspectives and elevates the public discussion.

Originally Posted at Philadelphia Daily News'

Two amazing women, Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman, just won the Pulitzer for their work for the Daily News- and for our city. They investigated narcotics cops who lied about evidence. Their series, "Tainted Justice," bubbles like the best potboiler - until you remember that real people were brought down by this corrupt team of police.

Come Feburary 2010 thirty-one journalists from twenty-four countries will meet on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The gathering is for ten days of intensive training in Authentic Journalism, hosted by the drug war and Latin American politics news site Narco News. Milena Velis, interpreter and member of Labor Justice Radio will join them.

If you would like to support MMP's presence at this critical gathering for developing leaders in journalism please consider donating to Milena's scholarship. And make sure to read more about all the participants.

In the recent edition of The Nation, communications scholar Robert McChesney and journalist John Nichols discuss the future of journalism and call for government intervention to save the vital but dying craft of journalism. In the essay the authors revisit the age old argument that the press is the essential "4th estate" or 4th branch of government, acting as community watchdog for political and corporate entities.