Media Access

The news last week that Journal Register Co. might shutter two Connecticut newspapers is generating some interesting discussions.

MGP2006 alum Aldon Hynes, who lives on the Connecticut coast. He's posted some thoughts on his blog, Orient Lodge, entitled "The Future of the Newspaper." In reply, JTM-Silicon Valley alumn David Cohn talks about the premise behind Spot.us -- a site he launched Nov. 10 which allows the public to support journalism by direct contribution.

The government will always cover up its mistakes if it operates in secret and that it was up to journalists to expose the truth…..Robert Schieffer, CBS News Reporter.

Blog Commentary by John Gatti
In Massachusetts, the 2008 Reporters Shield Law legislation has failed again to win passage. This will continue, in my view, unless the legislation is precise, comprehensive and not self serving for journalists. And that's unfortunate, because news reporters and their sources need the protection.

MORE ON SHIELD LAW

The largest, leading daily newspaper in Massachusetts and region Boston Globe needs to provide answers to questions being avoided in order to dispel the obvious on two issues affecting the paper’s credibility.

Globe Issue #1-Why has the position of ombudsperson not been filled, languished, or discarded for so long? This position for credibility purposes is needed now more than ever with the increasing newsroom downsizing going on. A criticism in the past has been a reporter on a tight rope usually assigned to be ombudsperson that reports to and is evaluated by management. The person serves a term either goes back to some news beat or leaves. That person becomes isolated from other reporters who fear criticism or oversight in reporting. Thus, the advocacy and correct path for Boston Globe management is to appoint a truly independent person paid or unpaid to the position.

The defense attorney for Watertown Town Council and Governor's Council member Marilyn Devaney has issued a subpoena to a local reporter covering Devaney's ongoing assault case. Watertown TAB & Press reporter Jillian Fennimore did not witness the alleged April 2007 assault, but is being subpoenaed, according to Devaney's defense attorney, "to give evidence of what [she] know[s] relating to said action." A TAB lawyer sought to "quash" the order last week.

VIEW PROGRAM / On Saturday, June 28, 2008, the New England News Forum and the law firm of Prince, Lobel, Glovsky & Tye, LLP presented a unique, one-day workshop, "Sharing the News: Fresh Approaches to Reaching Students and Training Citizens." forged new links among New England college journalism educators, high-school newspaper advisors and journalism teachers, citizen journalists and bloggers.