A program of the Knight Chair in Journalism and the UNESCO Chair in Communication at the University of Texas at Austin

2008 Symposium News Coverage

During the 2008 Symposium, the two-day event was covered by students of the Multimedia Journalism class at UT Austin's School of Journalism in real time. Below are the stories that the students contributed.

Guillermo Franco

By: Tom Johnson, Ryan Sachetta Posted May 02, 200813:34

MTV News Supervising Producer Liz Nord Talks About Multimedia and Interactivity

By: Allyn Hoang Posted May 02, 200813:32

MTV News Supervising Producer Liz Nord talks about Multimedia and Interactivity at the 9th Annual Online Journalism Symposium at The University of Texas at Austin. Nord explains MTV's efforts to engage young people with the upcoming presidential election by innovating the 2008 MTV Choose or Lose campaign. With the explosion of new media tools, MTV Choose or Lose provides young people real-time access to candidates, a multimedia activists community, and Street Team '08.

 

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Rich Meislin of The New York Times: Newspaper Publishing 2.0

By: O.C. Ugwu Posted Apr 30, 200816:23

A sit down interview with Rich Meislin, associate managing editor for Internet publishing at the New York Times, about hybrid newsrooms, breaking Spitzer and the future of newspapers on the Web.

 

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A Look at Emerging Business Models

By: Angela Akins & Meredith McMahan Posted Apr 29, 200816:25

This video gives viewers a recap of Friday's Emerging Business Models panel during the symposium. It features lectures from Ken Riddick and Michael Smith. They talk about what it takes to fit in in the ever-changing world of online journalism and business. Any business owner will get great tips from these lectures about how to create an online addition to their company that will boost sales, moral and costumer participation in general. This lecture will take anyone who watches it to the next level in the online business world.

 

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Diverse Audience Looks Forward to Change

By: Holley Nees & Kaitlin Lawrence Posted Apr 29, 200816:24

Brazilian Journalist Uncovers Political Activity Through Online Database

By: Lauren Winterfeld and Fauzeya Rahman Posted Apr 28, 200817:42

Fernando Rodrigues, a Brazilian reporter and columnist, discussed the creation of Politicos do Brasil, a political database that monitors and categorizes the assets of registered politicians in Brazil.

 

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Emerging Business Models Panel

By: Chineza Lynn Ezinkwo Posted Apr 10, 200815:24

Getting to Know Guillermo Franco, Online Editor of Colombia's El Tiempo

By: Tom Johnson and Ryan Sachetta Posted Apr 09, 200814:56

A feature on Guillermo Franco as he discusses his history with the Colombia newspaper, El Tiempo. Specifically, Franco discusses his work as Online Editor and how he arrived at that position.

 

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Embracing the new: The Daily Telegraph

By: Aurora Porter Posted Apr 07, 200815:32
Assistant managing editor of the British paper, The Daily Telegraph, Chris Lloyd revealed how they transformed from a traditional medium to a new media powerhouse.

 

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Content is the message

By: Celsio Gonzalez Posted Apr 07, 200814:55
The final panel focused on the repackaging of news for Web sites and mobile phones, as well as an analysis of the effect of online journalism on the United States' image in Arab countries.

 

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What social networking sites can teach the news

By: Sara Higgins Posted Apr 05, 200818:21
At the Social Networking and User-Generated Content panel, leading researchers discuss the use of social networking sites and what mainstream news media can learn from them to attract a younger audience.

 

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Managing the Production of Online Journalism

By: Stephanie Matlock Posted Apr 05, 200817:53
Scholars focused on fine-tuning the production of news Web sites during the second day of the ninth annual International Symposium on Online Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.

 

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Suzanne Seggerman of Games for Change

By: Jane Kim Posted Apr 05, 200817:49

Suzanne Seggerman of Games for Change explains how she first got the idea of supporting games to create social change. Seggerman says she was never interested in games, but was intrigued by the game 'Hidden Agenda' and ended up changing her career path. She co-founded Games for Change and is the current president of the organization.

 

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Dr. Paula Poindexter Interview

By: Holley Nees and Kaitlin Lawrence Posted Apr 05, 200817:26

Dr. Paula Poindexter talks about her discussion with James Moroney III, Publisher and CEO of the Dallas Morning News.

 

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Ian Bogost Interview

By: Hudson Lockett Posted Apr 05, 200817:19

A short interview with Ian Bogost, Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology and Founding Partner, Persuasive Games

 

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BBC adapts to changing attitudes on blogging

By: Hudson Lockett Posted Apr 05, 200816:51
During a panel on citizen journalism, Alfred Hermida talks about the BBC's initial reluctance on blogging and how the news group accepted the format.

 

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Ramón Salaverria Spanish/English Interview

By: Mireya J. Garcia Posted Apr 05, 200816:15

Ramón Salaverria 2-part interview at the International Symposium of Online Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin. The first part is an excerpt of Salaverria's comments on the Online Symposium in Spanish. Second part is an excerpt of Salaverria's comments on the importance of Online Journalism in English.

 

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Ramón Salaverria, Media Convergence

By: Mireya J. Garcia Posted Apr 05, 200816:13

Saturday's keynote speaker Ramón Salaverria, Professor and Vice Chair, School of Communication, Navarra University, Spain, discusses the true definition of Media Convergence.

 

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Site emphasizes cultural dialogue on international level

By: Jenny Baxter Posted Apr 05, 200815:50
During her Day 1 presentation, Georgia Popplewell shares how the non-profit group Global Voices Online hopes to change global media.

 

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Research examines portrayal of U.S. in Arab media

By: Fauzeya Rahman Posted Apr 05, 200814:58

Ashraf Galal suggests promoting higher professional standards in online news when portraying foreign countries' policies.

 

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Thurman, Lupton discuss online videos' effects on journalism

By: Rula Sawaf Posted Apr 05, 200814:37
Neil Thurman and Ben Lupton say that videos and news stories must compliment each other; journalists need to learn what works best for Web users.

 

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Salaverria discusses significance of media convergence

By: Kaitlin Lawrence Posted Apr 05, 200813:56
Saturday's keynote speaker discusses the steps necessary for a newsroom to converge and the goals of convergence.

 

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Rodrigues discusses link between database journalism and democracy

By: Stephany Garza Posted Apr 05, 200813:27
Brazilian journalist Fernando Rodrigues discusses his Web site, where he compiles databases of economic information about politicians. The site also helps citizens to directly monitor their elected officials.

 

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Panelists: Games are important

By: Liz Wilhelm Posted Apr 05, 200812:57
The four panelists at the news games panel discuss the importance of games and how they could impact the future of digital journalism.

 

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NewsU director discusses importance of games

By: Liz Wilhelm Posted Apr 05, 200812:29
Howard Finberg, executive direct of the Poynter Institute's NewsU, talks about games, NewsU and his Wii after his speech.

 

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Jim Brady of washingtonpost.com

By: Chris Cybulski and Amy Merrill Posted Apr 05, 200811:33

Jim Brady, vice president and executive editor of washingtonpost.com, speaks at the International Online Journalism Symposium on April 4. As a member on the Engaging Communities panel, Brady discusses his site's efforts to retain readership and traffic through blogging.

 

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Audience Member at Friday's Conference

By: Kaitlin Lawrence & Holley Nees Posted Apr 05, 200810:10

Suzanne Seggerman tells why she came to The Online Journalism Symposium

 

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Richard Anderson defines his online success, VillageSoup.com

By: Amy Shekarchi Posted Apr 05, 200810:09
When Richard Anderson moved to Camden, Maine in the late 1990s, the former mathematics teacher and ex-textbook developer decided to pursue a new business via the Internet. “I got intrigued with the Internet,” he said, “I felt the opportunity to define a new category of business, like Ted Turner when he thought of cable news.” Now President and CEO of Villagesoup.com, Anderson has indeed taken full advantage of that opportunity.

 

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Community Building: Keeping the Audience on Your Side

By: Holley Nees Posted Apr 05, 200809:56
The ninth annual International Symposium on Online Journalism presented a forum on Engaging Communities. The panelists demonstrated how their media companies are adapting in this online era.

 

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News organizations seek integration strategies

By: O.C. Ugwu Posted Apr 05, 200809:35
From Colombia to the United Kingdom, news outlets are employing innovative tactics to merge online and print sensibilities.

 

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Brady: Building community to maintain readers

By: Stephanie Matlock Posted Apr 05, 200809:24
Citing The Washington Post's success with blogs and other interactive features, Jim Brady argued that news Web sites that better engage readers and give them a voice will keep them 'parked' on the site in an era of 'drive-by' readership.

 

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"Something for People to Do:" Multimedia and Interactivity

By: Jessa Lauren Hollett Posted Apr 05, 200809:17
Consumers of online news sites are looking for more than words in their news. At least, that was the verdict in the second afternoon session of the Symposium, “Multimedia and Interactivity.” Users are looking for things to do while online, which can include audio, slideshows, video, and interactive information graphics that teach and entertain them simultaneously. The members of the panel, led by Howard Finberg, executive director of the Poynter Institute’s NewsU.org, spoke on widely varying topics within this vein of multimedia and interactivity.

 

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Emerging business models create online communities

By: Gloria Kwong Posted Apr 04, 200817:43
New, innovative business models are emerging in media companies that create online, engaging communities for users. Traditional news organizations need to focus on driving online revenue by providing relevant content for its readers.

 

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António Granado, professor and online editor, on creating discussion online

By: Chris Cybulski and Amy Merrill Posted Apr 04, 200817:29

António Granado, visiting professor from Universidade Nova Lisboa and online editor of the leading Portuguese newspaper Publico, speaks at the International Online Journalism Symposium on April 4. As a member of the Engaging Communities panel, Granado discusses using online forums and viewer discussion to generate public feedback.

 

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Georgia Popplewell of GlobalVoicesOnline.org

By: Chris Cybulski and Amy Merrill Posted Apr 04, 200817:23

Georgia Popplewell, Managing Director of GlobalVoicesOnline.org, speaks at the International Online Journalism Symposium. As a member on the Engaging Communities panel, Popplewell discusses how Global Voices is working towards enhancing global media.

 

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Smith presents new business models for traditional media to follow

By: Lesley Pena Posted Apr 04, 200817:12
Traditional media has taken a backseat to new digital alternatives exploding in the market. In effort to prevent extinction, older media businesses must learn to adapt to the models of new, innovative media companies.

 

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Moroney: Going local is the future for print newspapers

By: Shelby Hunt Posted Apr 04, 200814:57
Keynote speaker James Moroney III, publisher of The Dallas Morning News, argued that intensive local coverage could help newspapers create value in an era of decline.

 

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Journalism symposium to address changing media landscape

By: Aaron Aiken Posted Mar 28, 200816:04

The University of Texas at Austin will host the ninth annual International Symposium on Online Journalism to discuss trends in the relatively new realm of Internet media.

 

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Read More News >>>>

The symposium event is now over. Videos, PowerPoint presentations and accepted symposium papers from the event are now available on the site. See the links below.

View this year’s symposium videos here >>

View this year’s symposium presentations here >>

View this year’s symposium papers here >>

Check out for more news from journalism symposium blog

Program

Friday, April 4, 2008

8:00-8:30 Registration

8:30-8:45 Opening session
|| Rosental Calmon Alves, Professor, Knight Chair in Journalism and UNESCO Chair in Communication, School of Journalism, UT Austin (Symposium Chair)
|| Lorraine Branham, Director, School of Journalism, UT Austin
|| Mark Tremayne, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism, UT Austin (Symposium Research Chair)

8:45-9:30 Newspapers in the Time of Cholera: A Healthy Prescription for an Ailing Industry
|| Keynote Speaker: James Moroney III,Publisher and CEO of Dallas Morning News; Executive Vice President of A. H. Belo Corporation.

9:30-11:00 Hybrid Newsroom for the Digital Age: Journalists are reorganizing their routines, learning new skills and doing their best to work for multiplatform, multimedia operations. How are integrated newsrooms (i.e., print + digital) working so far?
Chair: Robert Rivard, Editor and Executive Vice President, San Antonio Express-News
|| Guillermo Franco, Editor, ElTiempo.com, Colombia
|| Liza Gross, Managing Editor/Presentation and Operations, The Miami Herald
|| Almar Latour, Managing Editor, WallStreetJournal.com
|| Rich Meislin, Associate Managing Editor/Internet Publishing, The New York Times
|| Chris Lloyd, Assistant Managing Editor, Daily Telegraph, London, UK.

11:00-11:15 Coffee Break

11:15-12:30 Emerging Business Models: Traditional media are struggling to adapt their old business models to respond to the devastating effects of disruptive, digital technologies, while a new generation of media companies is creating fresh, innovative new models. Will those efforts result in profitable businesses that would finance journalism as it happened during the last century?
Chair: Neal Burns, Professor, Advertising Department, UT Austin,
|| Richard Anderson, President and CEO, Villagesoup.com
|| Staci Kramer, Co-Editor of ContentNext Media/PaidContent.org
|| Ken Riddick, Vice President, Digital Media, Hearst Newspapers
|| Michael Smith, Executive Director, Media Management center, Northwestern University

12:30-1:30 Luncheon at ACES Building

1:30-3:00 Engaging Communities: The old, passive audiences are increasingly becoming clusters of new, active communities that still read, listen and watch the media, but demand to be read, listened and watched. Engaging those communities has become high priority for the media, but are their efforts succeeding?
Chair and Presenter: António Granado, Visiting Professor, Universidade Nova Lisboa; and Online Editor, Público newspaper, Lisbon, Portugal.
|| Jim Brady, Vice President/Executive Editor, WashingtonPost.com
|| Jim Lenahan, Strategic Development Manager, Gannett Newspapers
|| Dave Panos, CEO, Pluck Social Media
|| Georgia Popplewell, Managing Director, GlobalVoicesOnline.org
|| Mario Tascón, Content Director, Prisacom/El Pais, Spain

3:00-3:15 Coffee Break

3:15-5:00 Multimedia and Interactivity: Faster Internet connections and cheaper network and storage space have paved the way to more video and audio and more database journalism projects on the Web. Are online journalists finally taking advantage of the multimedia and interactive capabilities of the Internet?
Chair: Howard Finberg, Executive Director, Poynter Institute's NewsU.org
|| Alberto Cairo, Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
|| Liz Nord, Supervising Producer, MTV News
|| Fernando Rodrigues, Reporter and Columnist, Folha de S. Paulo, Brazil
|| Aron Pilhofer, Editor/Interactive News, The New York Times
|| Paige West, Interactivity Editor, MSNBC.com

Saturday, April 5, 2008

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00-10:15 News Games: Video games have become serious games and started playing an increasingly important role in education and professional training. Can video games now become a more common tool to help journalists to tell the story?
Chair: Sharon Strover , Chair, Radio-Television-Film Department, UT Austin
|| Ian Bogost , Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology and Founding Partner, Persuasive Games
|| Howard Finberg , Executive Director, Poynter Institute's NewsU.org
|| Suzanne Seggerman , President and Co-Founder, Games For Change
|| Paige West , Interactivity Editor, MSNBC.com

10:15-10:30 Coffee Break

10:30-11:15 All for One and One for All? A Spanish Experience of Research About Media Convergence
|| Keynote Speaker: Ramón Salaverria, Professor and Vice Chair, School of Communication, Navarra University, Spain

11:15-12:15 Managing the Production of Online Journalism
Chair: Mark Tremayne, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism, UT Austin (Symposium Research Chair)
|| Arne H. Krumsvik, Oslo University College (Norway): The Role Of Journalists In A Digital Age(*)
|| George Sylvie, UT Austin: Developing An Online Newspaper Business Model: Long Distance Meets The Long Tail(*)
|| Neil Thurman and Ben Lupton, City University (London): Convergence Calls: Multimedia Storytelling At British News Websites(**)

12:15-1:15 Luncheon at ACES Building

1:15-2:15 Social Networking and User-Generated Content
Chair: Elizabeth Saad, Professor, School of Journalism, São Paulo University, Brazil
|| Sebastian Valenzuela, Namsu Park, and Kerk F. Kee, UT Austin: Lessons from Facebook: The Effect of Social Network Sites on College Students' Social Capital (*)
|| Cindy Royal, Texas State: What Do People Do Online? Implications For the Future of Media (*)
|| Jacqueline Vickery, UT Austin: The Megan Meier MySpace Suicide: A case study exploring the social aspects of convergent media, citizen journalism, and online anonymity and credibility(*)

2:15-3:15 Citizen Producers, Bloggers and the Evolution of Journalism
Chair: Iris Chyi, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism, UT Austin
|| Alfred Hermida, University of British Columbia (Canada): The BBC Goes Blogging: Is 'Auntie' Finally Listening?(*)
|| Serena Carpenter, Arizona State University: U.S. Online Citizen Journalism and Online Newspaper Articles: A Content Analysis of Source Diversity(*)
|| Sue Robinson, University of Wisconsin-Madison: A Mediated, Interactive Call to Action: Audience Perceptions of Credibility and Authority for a Times Journalist in Print vs. Online(*)

3:15-3:30 Coffee Break

3:30-4:30 Issues in Online Journalism Research
Chair: Paula Poindexter, Associate Professor, School of Journalism, UT Austin
|| Phil Auter, Ashraf Galal, and Mahmoud Galander, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Qatar University: The Image of the United States Portrayed in Arab World Online Journalism.(*)
|| Fernando Zamith , University of Porto (Portugal): A Methodological Proposal to Analyze the News Websites Use of the Potentialities of The Internet(*)
|| Richard Stevens, Southern Methodist University: Usability 10 Years Later: Are We Listening?(*)
|| João Canavilhas, Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal): Hypertext Newswriting Effects on Satisfaction, Comprehension and Attitudes(*)

4:30-5:00 Wrap-up Discussion Session
|| Rosental Calmon Alves, Professor, Knight Chair in Journalism and UNESCO Chair in Communication, UT Austin (Symposium Chair)
|| Mark Tremayne, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism, UT Austin (Symposium Research Chair)

 

 (*) Refereed research papers (blind reviewed)
(**) Top-rated paper

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting the Web site of the International Symposium on Online Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. You will find here a unique and rich repository of information on the progress of Online Journalism, with comments and insights from professionals and scholars who have been working on the frontlines.

Since 1999, editors, producers, executives, and academics from around the country (and lately from around the world) have gathered in Austin every year (except 2000) to discuss the evolution of this new genre of journalism. The Symposium has been a small, but very intense conference that serves as a barometer for the state of Online Journalism.

On this site, we publish all the transcripts (and some video) of the past symposia, which involved the participation of Web sites for publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune. Participants also have included MSNBC.com and AOL.com, and institutions such as Jupiter Research and ABC Interactive.

In 2003, the Symposium became international, attracting participants from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In 2004, a second day was added and we went from an exclusively industry-oriented event, to an academic/research conference as well. Professors from several universities help in the blind review process for the selection of research papers that are submitted by graduate students and faculty from around the world and presented at the symposium.

Visit again for updates about the next Symposium (April 4-5, 2008). Mark your calendar for these important dates! Come to Austin to participate or you can attend virtually -- because we usually Webcast the conference live.

Sincerely,

Professor Rosental Calmon Alves,
Knight Chair in Journalism &
UNESCO Chair in Communication at the University of Texas at Austin


University of Texas at Austin | UT College of Communication | UT School of Journalism