Digital District: Local News and Online Media Access in Washington

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm

New America Foundation
1899 L Street NW Suite 400
Washington, DC, 20036

In recent years neighborhood blogs, local online news portals and aggregators, social media applications, and community media centers have all expanded the sources of local information available to communities while simultaneously inviting the public to play a more active role in sharing and producing the news. With its distinctive and diverse neighborhoods, Washington, D.C., is a microcosm for examining new approaches to media production and digital access and their potential for changing the way communities engage with their neighbors and representatives.

Panelists will consider new approaches to

• covering news at the hyperlocal level,
• encouraging civic engagement in communities, and
• bridging the digital divide.

After the panel discussion, attendees will be invited a reception to meet the inaugural class of Public Media Corps fellows and hear about the projects they are beginning to promote broadband adoption through technology and media production training at high schools, public broadcast stations, and non-profit community anchor institutions in Columbia Heights and Anacostia.

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