July updates on JTMPNW initiatves
Journalism That Matters Pacific Northwest is alive and well. Here are July updates on the ten initiatives that emerged from JTMPNW in January:
1. Sustaining JTMPNW as a News Collaboratory
The Pacific Northwest News Collaboratory is meeting monthly. Its mission is to catalyze experimentation and collaboration to improve the news and information health of communities in the Pacific Northwest.
Our goal is to build capacity by:
- nurturing existing journalistic, new media, and community initiatives by connecting people, ideas and resources;
- identifying unmet needs and unrecognized possibilities;
- convening inquiries and conversations to foster collaborations such as incubators, microfinancing and other forms of funding;
- mapping the news and information ecology and exploring ways to measure its health.
We support best practices in leadership, community gathering, and the common pursuit of truth and the public interest. Through personal and virtual connections, we link the widest diversity of groups and individuals to promote active participation in an open and civil democratic society.
Convening stewards:
* Peggy Holman, co-founder of Journalism That Matters and author of “The Change Handbook, Bellevue, Washington
* Sanjay Bhatt, president of the Seattle Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association and reporter for The Seattle Times
* Michael Bradbury, CEO, REALScience, Seattle
* Mike Fancher, retired executive editor of The Seattle Times, Seattle
* Charles Hamilton, president of CHCS Internet Development, Seattle
* John Hamer, director of the Washington News Council, Seattle
* David Messerschmidt, owner of Public Affairs Media Group, Seattle
* Matt Rosenberg, Countywide Community Forums of King County, Seattle
* Anne Stadler, independent civic and social organization professional
2. Developing a Civic Communications Commons
Development of a Civic Communications Commons (CCC) in Seattle and Puget Sound region as a common civic infrastructure that connects virtual and face-to-face civic, community, and neighborhood spaces.
This team is working with the Seattle Center Foundation with the Center's 50th anniversary in 2012.
3. Creating Abundant Journalism in Many Forms
Establishing an information clearinghouse about "abundant journalism." This is a work in progress that needs someone to champion the effort. One emerging possibility is to create a micro-funding mechanism for journalism.
4. Building On Transparency
Seeking to heighten collaboration between community interests and public bodies in the Northwest. See update here:
5. Mapping the News and Information Ecosystem
Creating a dynamic sense of the public's needs and how those needs might be met.
A major report is expected this summer. This work is being done under the leadership of the Washington News Council.
6. Proposing a "TAO of Journalism Seal"
Transparent, Accountable and Open journalism. This is up and running here.
7. Creating a broad, visionary media/digital/news literacy project in Seattle
Helping students and citizens consume and create information.
The Seattle Digital Literacy Initiative will be launched at the University of Washington in 2011. The announcement is here.
An update on the initiative is here.
8. Exploring a global health journalism collaboratory
Seattle is a hub for global heath collaboration, offering a world of journalistic opportunity
This team will do an online survey this summer to explore resources and needs, which will form the basis for building the hub.
9. Creating a Seattle Happiness Index
Formulating a new measure of community well being
A website has been launched here.
10. Forming a technology group for ongoing communication
Using technology to expand the conversation
This group is redesigning the JTM website. Progress is underway.