On Dec. 10, Pat Aufderheide joined historian Richard John and two policy activists, Sascha Meinrath and Andrew Jay Schwartzman, at the New America Foundation. Richard John discussed his recent book, Network Nation, which charts the origins of communication policies for the telegraph and the telephone. Read more...
The term “public media,” as defined by the Center for Social Media’s Public Media 2.0, is an analytical frame that privileges the notion of an open, participatory and collaborative mediascape. This mediascape involves a multitude of media and actors — not just media makers, but also nonprofits, community anchor institutions, educational institutions, online platforms, policy organizations, cultural organizations, and government. Using the frame of public media as a lens, I conducted an academic research study
So far, 2010 has been a banner year for analysts and policymakers concerned with the role of media in democracy. But now, we're in a bit of a holding pattern, waiting on two major reports from the FCC and the FTC. Will the agencies seize the opportunity to help construct a more innovative, participatory media system, or will they hang back? Over at the New America Foundation's site, I explore the options:Read more...
Public broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, and network newscasts have all played a central role in our democracy, informing citizens and guiding public conversation. But the top-down dissemination technologies that supported them are being supplanted by an open, many-to-many networked media environment. What platforms, standards, and practices will replace or transform legacy public media?
This white paper lays out an expanded vision for “public media 2.0” that places engaged publics at its core, showcasing innovative experiments from its “first two minutes,” and revealing related trends, stakeholders, and policies. Public media 2.0 may look and function differently, but it will share the same goals as the projects that preceded it: educating, informing, and mobilizing its users.
The Federal Communications Commission has issued an unprecedented call for comments on the future of media, and the information needs of communities in a digital age. If you're concerned about this topic, don't miss this chance to weigh in on the debate about how policy can shape our media ecosystem. You don't need to be a lawyer or a lobbyist to contribute; as the call for comments notes:Read more...
On Dec. 10, Pat Aufderheide joined historian Richard John and two policy activists, Sascha Meinrath and Andrew Jay Schwartzman, at the New America Foundation. Richard John discussed his recent book, Network Nation, which charts the origins of communication policies for the telegraph and the telephone. 
The term “public media,” as defined by the Center for Social Media’s 
So far, 2010 has been a banner year for analysts and policymakers concerned with the role of media in democracy. But now, we're in a bit of a holding pattern, waiting on two major reports from the FCC and the FTC. Will the agencies seize the opportunity to help construct a more innovative, participatory media system, or will they hang back? Over at the New America Foundation's site, I explore the options:
Public broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, and network newscasts have all played a central role in our democracy, informing citizens and guiding public conversation. But the top-down dissemination technologies that supported them are being supplanted by an open, many-to-many networked media environment. What platforms, standards, and practices will replace or transform legacy public media?
