This should be a great conference for Internet researchers interested in online citizen media as well as e-politics. - Steven Clift Democracy & Independence: Sharing News & Politics in a Connected World Summit aims to unite media, political, education, technology sectors in charting the future of journalism June 29 - July 1, 2006 University of Massachusetts Amherst For the full details on the conference, see: http://www.mediagiraffe.org/invite-dowire If you register for "Tracks 1-5" I've worked out a $50 dollar discount. For "Tracks 2-5" the discount is $25. Simply put "DOWIRE" in the bottom "Optional Information" comment box. This conference is uniquely positioned to convene those engaged in politics and citizen engagement online with a larger gathering of new media and journalism leaders. Register from here: http://www.mediagiraffe.org/invite-dowire Quick Details Hundreds of traditional and citizen journalists, political strategists, educators, bloggers, developers, technology and media researchers will convene June 29-July 1, 2006 at University of Massachusetts Amherst for the first Media Giraffe Project conference. The Media Giraffe Project, a non-partisan, interdisciplinary research effort of the UMass journalism program, is hosting the roundtable summit and how-to sessions designed to: * Consider and recommend answers to changes to the financing and practice of journalism * Bridge the gap between new and traditional media * Show and consider the impact of new media technologies on journalism and the "public sphere" * Spotlight emerging business models * Create new networks of media innovators which bridge traditional carriers among journalism, education, politics and technology * Watch and share innovations in media-literacy education. Who Should Attend The conference is designed for: * traditional media strategists, editors and practitioners * elected officials, political and public-policy strategists info-tech pioneers and entrepreneurs * operators of local-news websites and blogs podcasters and vloggers dealing with news, political and public- policy issues. * academic researchers and students * citizens who want "how-to" knowledge about participatory media anyone interested in new innovations in web, print, film and audio news creation, delivery and financing. Read the full announcement here: http://www.mediagiraffe.org/invite-dowire Sincerely, Steven Clift Democracies Online http://www.dowire.org <- Visit the new blog/wiki/groups site. P.S. With my new DoWire Groups site, I am considering a new "Citizen Media" online group (e-mail list/web forum combo). Let me know if you are interested: clift@publicus.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven Clift - clift@publicus.net Web: http://publicus.net Blog: http://dowire.org/notes NGO: http://e-democracy.org Replies to slc@ may be missed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .