PBS to Launch Blog Examining How New Forms of Media Are Transforming Our Lives

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14 -- TV Critics Press Tour -- PBS this week unveils a new blog called MediaShift, which will explore how new forms of digital media are dramatically changing American society and culture. MediaShift debuts Jan. 18 at http://www.pbs.org/mediashift.

Hosted by industry expert and longtime new media commentator Mark Glaser, MediaShift will offer a continuing look at how digital media such as blogs, RSS, podcasts, citizen journalism, wikis, news aggregators and video repositories are altering the way we live, play and work. The site will provide a window into this world for the average user while offering enough details to satisfy the more technically savvy, and will offer ongoing opportunities for active public participation and feedback.

Glaser is a longtime print and online journalist who has written columns about the Internet and technology for the Los Angeles Times, CNET and HotWired, and has written features for the New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Entertainment Weekly, the San Jose Mercury News, and many other publications. His writing includes columns on hip-hop, reviews of video games, travel stories, and humor columns poking fun at the titans of technology. Most recently, he wrote a weekly column for USC Annenberg School for Communication's Online Journalism Review, and he currently writes the OPA Intelligence Report email newsletter for the Online Publishers Association.

"I'm thrilled to be working with pbs.org, one of the most trusted names in media, to cover the topical subject of how technology and the Net are transforming the media," said Glaser. "After writing about blogs and new media as an observer for so many years, I'm finally walking my talk by writing a blog, and actually practicing what I've preached for so long. I'm looking forward to writing about new forms of journalism and media while also submerging myself in this world even more -- and letting my audience participate in new ways."

Cindy Johanson, senior vice president, PBS Interactive Learning, said, "MediaShift promises to be a fascinating blog, and is a natural and exciting addition to pbs.org. This site helps us deliver on the promise of public service media in an Internet age: by featuring a strong independent talent like Mark Glaser, we continue PBS' passionate commitment to showcasing the work of independent producers. By providing a dynamic forum for discussion of the tremendous changes occurring daily in how people make, and get, media, we build on PBS' long history of stimulating discussion around issues of the day."

MediaShift Features:

Blog

In-depth blog posts will include rotating features, such as: Q&A's with industry leaders, commentaries and substantive reporting on recent developments.

"The blog will be a lively read, entertaining and enthusiastic about new developments in the media landscape -- with a healthy dose of skepticism reserved for overly hyped initiatives with little substance," said Glaser.

Your Take

Each week, a different contention or question will be posed to MediaShift's readers, who will be invited to add their views or share relevant information. One example might be: "Do you trust Google News to be fair and accurate?" The question would also be posed to people with a vested interest in and/or particular knowledge of the subject, including people at news outlets, analysts and executives, and news consumers.

Top 5 Chart

This chart will list top companies, people and ideas that are gaining momentum or buzz in the new media world, including new initiatives or breakthrough services.

MediaShift Reading List

A running list of the best media-related books, blogs, sites and research reports, updated regularly.

About PBS

PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves the nation's 348 public noncommercial television stations, reaching nearly 90 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is the leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of educational services for adult learners. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (pbskids.org), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet. PBS is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.

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