First, there was the "Ask the Editors" blog, launched at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane in January 2004. Now there's the "Daily Briefing," in which staff discuss that morning's newspaper and the coverage planned for the next day. The blogs are a way to help involve readers in the process. This is in preparation for webcasting news meetings.

I've previously mentioned another column we're about to launch, in which five citizens will review our newspaper in a space we've tentatively titled (with apologies to Jeff Jarvis), "News is a Conversation."

And we're working on a "Spokane Vortex" blog which will be a fun look at all of the weird and wonderful ways in which Spokane gets mentioned in odd places on the Web, in the news and on TV.

All of this will be under a "Transparent Newsroom" umbrella.

It's too bad we didn't have more of the transparent newsroom in place earlier this week as we unveiled a remarkable and controversial investigation linking the mayor to alleged sex abuse of boys 25 years ago and his current admitted practice of engaging in sex with men as young as 18.

The newspaper took the highly unusual step of hiring a former federal investigator to pose as a teenager to engage the mayor in online conversation that turned explicit. Editor Steve Smith explained the deception in a column Thursday that accompanied the first stories. And the appropriateness of the deception has been discussed in various publications, both in print and online.

The newspaper's Web site also has published an array of multimedia and documentation, including a transcript of the interview between the mayor and two newspaper reporters, and transcripts of the mayor's instant messages and e-mail conversations with the person posing as a teenager.

Our view is that providing detailed explanation and documentation of the reporting process will lead to greater credibility. And the readers, increasingly, demand this kind of transparency.

If you think The Media Center is doing good work and want to help us continue what we're doing, how about sponsorship? Don't forget, we ARE a non-profit - but we need funding to keep going. We're a think and action tank committed to building a better-informed society in a connected world and we can't do it alone. We need annual support for our mission, corporate sponsors of meals and activities during our events, and research sponsors. Your company may also be interested in joining The Media Center Network.

For organizations or individuals committed to the work and mission of The Media Center who are interested in sponsoring this newsletter or upcoming events, please email Andrew Nachison at andrew@mediacenter.org.

Major support from foundations helps us continue our global dialog on the intersection of media, technology and society - and reduce or eliminate the fees we charge for our conferences, symposia and other programs. Let us know if you can help.

Upcoming Media Center Events

:: Cross-Platform Media Teams - 6/21 - 6/24/2005

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Media Center Alumni Feedback

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• “[MediaMorphosis 2004] is history in the making, and I’m incredibly honored to be allowed to watch it happen and participate a little bit.”
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