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First Tuesday current affairs discussion - Tuesday 3 September 7:00pm start
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The future of journalism and publishing online

March 2011

Brendan O'Neill and Louise Bolotin will introduce a conversation about recent changes in journalism and how the future of online publishing can be shaped

Brendan O'NeillLouise BolotinNational and regional newspapers have experienced a protracted period of retrenchment, and the development of critical and in-depth journalism has been one of the main casualties. Alongside this trend in paper based publishing has been the proliferation of a variety of online publishing mechanisms, by individual bloggers and collaborations trying to develop new mechanisms of news reporting and commentary. 

 

Brendan O'Neill represents the first custom-built online current affairs publication in the UK, as editor of spiked, so will be able to talk through experience of the practical challenges posed for online publishers of quality commentary. Louise Bolotin represents a Manchester-based response to the development of a news platform that only publishes online, incorporating technology to address the demands of a 24-hour news agenda and using social media such as Facebook and Twitter to reach new audiences. The Inside the M60 website she co-owns appeals to a particular readership that only rarely pick up print copies of the papers.

 

With the publication of leaks through the WikiLeaks website and passed leaked US Embassy cables to selected news organisations, its founder Julian Assange has been both vilified and beatified. Some of those who have given material to WikiLeaks in the past have faced long-term imprisonment. But beyond the personalities and witch-hunts, what have we actually learned from these many revelations?


Listen again (not miked so variable quality)...

 

Speakers' introductions - click on the Play button:

 

Speakers and audience interchange - click on the Play button:

 

Discussion and speakers' final comments - click on the Play button:


Initial background readings

Citizen journalism, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Journalists Defending Journalism Proof: Reading, Journalism and Society January 2010

New media: the changing face of journalism by Dave Porter, Manchester Salon review section January 2011

Journalism Studies: A Critical Introduction by Andrew Calcutt and Phil Hammond January 2011

Is news moving too fast? Today, BBC Radio 4, 9 February 2011

Wikileaks vs the world: you couldn’t make it up!, by Brendan O'Neill, spiked review of books, February 2001

The decline of regional newspapers vs digital growth. All is not as it seems.., How-Do 03 March 2011

Communicative capitalism: lecture and seminar by Jodi Dean, reviewed by Simon Belt, Manchester Salon March 2011


Venue and Time

Blackwell University BookshopIn the discussion area of Blackwell University Bookshop, The Precinct, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RN. Please arrive around 6:30pm for drinks and nibbles, ready for a prompt 6:45pm start - expected to finish just after 8:15pm. Tickets are £5 (£3 concessions) payable in advance, which entitles you to a £3 discount for anything bought from the bookshop on the evening. Purchase tickets in advance, using the PayPal Donate button on the Manchester Salon website (feel free to donate on top of the £5 ticket), in-store or by phone from Blackwell University Bookshop, Manchester 0161 274 3331.

 
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