All Blog Posts (10)

Ok, who doesn't think the concept of backpack journalism, independence and reporting stories from new lands explored in worn hiking boots sounds romantic? Well, get over it. That's what the panelists--seasoned editors from the Washington Post, NPR and AP told a huge room packed with hopeful travelers. They emphasized numerous times that it's dirty work: crashing on hard floors, hitching rides, eating foods that may not agree with you and the hardest thing of all: verifying facts. It's an… Continue

From the time I hit the ground Thursday until about noon today I have met some incredible journalists and interesting people who came by No. 401 to try their hand at walking & blogging. I'm not super happy with the navigation of all those windows on the front page, but it's a process still very much in development, so I won't complain too much. The very last streaming video I posted needs explanation: I took the phone in to a workshop hosted by Native American journalists on how the interne… Continue

It’s hard for me to believe it’s been 14 years since UNITY’94. I was at the first conference and participated in the first student radio project under the mentorship of Doug Mitchell of NPR’s Next Generation Radio. I've been fortunate to attend every UNITY conference since and participated in various capacities. Here I am at UNITY’08 as a free agent, not being a mentor with the student project… Continue

McCain ignores 5,000 journalists Will Obamamania Rule at Unity? Continue

Stumbling across the Chicago River on the Michigan Avenue Bridge in the dead of night, I had an epiphany: stay off the sauce. There’s no reason to put twelve different liquors into one drink, and then to fill a pitcher with the mixture. Yet, that’s what they do at Timothy O’Toole’s Pub. It’s called Holy Water, and I swear on a bible, I’ll never touch another drop. Speaking of bibles, my good friend and colleague, Scotti Williston, Executive Produce in Residence at the CUNY Graduate School of Jo… Continue

Although they could not be with us for UNITY 08, I want to send a shout out to four outstanding Journalists of Color who will join the CUNY J-School Class of 2009 next month in New York City. They have each been selected to receive the first ever CUNY Graduate School of Journalism Scholarships awarded to members of NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA, and SAJA. So, big up to Tracy, Alana, H’Rina, and Varsha. Looking forward to seeing you very soon in NYC. Tracy Chimming, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, has been… Continue

Hey CUNY gang, Through the magic of Facebook, I see that my friends Maite Junco, Ralph Ortega and Juan Gonzalez are at UNITY. If you run into them, give them my best. Have a great time. cheers, jere Continue

Convergencia de medios: multimedia II / Miércoles 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm … Continue

As you guys over in Chicago contemplate deep journalistic issues our J-school neighbor, The New York Times, is working on some logistical glitches: How to keep people from scaling their brand-new building. I went out for a cup of coffee this morning and there they were, gathered outside on… Continue

The last time I was in Chicago was thirty-five years ago. Not a fond memory. I, and a few rowdy friends, ran into the police over a scuffle at a bachelor party. No big deal, but my time there, and my enduring impressions of the place, were less than positive. As the years passed, my negative relationship with Chicago strayed beyond the bounds of reason. Without ever returning, I convinced myself Chicago was nothing more than a New York City wanna be, a pale imitation. When I was training and r… Continue