Background Material

We’re compiling a list of readings and links related to the issues we’ll be discussing at the conference. We welcome suggestions!

On New Models and Platforms for Investigative Journalism:

The Nonprofit Road, Charles Lewis, Columbia Journalism Review (Subscription required)

Global Investigative Journalism: Strategies for Support, David E. Kaplan, Center for International Media Assistance

A Nonprofit Model for News, Julie Kosterlitz, National Journal (Subscription required)

The Growth of Talking Points Memo and Independent Media, Jeff Cohen, Huffington Post

TPM Sees Room for Growth Through Geotargeted Advertising, Zachary M. Seward, Neiman Journalism Lab

Web Sites That Dig for News Rise as Watchdogs, Richard Perez-Pena, The New York Times

Battle Plans for Newspapers: Eight people present survival strategies in The New York Times

Media Re:public: Appraising the State of Digital News Media, Berkman Center for Internet & Society

Investing in Watchdog Reporting, Mark Katches, Neiman Reports

On Legal, Physical and Psychological Threats to Investigative Journalists:

A Chill on ‘The Guardian’, Alan Rusbridger, The New York Review of Book

The Rise of Soft Censorship, Don Podesta, Washington Post

Attacks on the Press in 2008, Committee to Protect Journalists

Tapping Into the Reporters’ Notebook: The U.S. Government Is Free To Listen to Foreign Phone Calls, Samantha Fredrickson, Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press

Reporter’s Privilege in Tatters: Eight Years of Subpoenas to Reporters, Samantha Fredrickson, Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press

Corruption and the Watchdog Role of the Media, Sheila Coronel

Watchdog Media in the Arab States, Lawrence Pintak

On Innovations in Legal Protection for Investigative Journalists:

A rticle 19 Freedom of Expression Virtual Handbook, Guide to International and Comparative Standards on Freedom of Expression

On February 12, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the issue of libel tourism. On their Web site you can read the written testimony of Rachel Ehrenfield, Director of the American Center for Democracy, Bruce Brown, an attorney who has represented publishers as well as the Society of Professional Journalists, Laura Handman, another defense lawyer in prominent libel cases in the U.S. and Britain, and Laura Silberman, an expert on conflict of laws at NYU Law School.

We have also posted additional written testimony submitted in the hearing:

Introduction of Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), who chaired the hearing.

Statement of the American Association of Book Publishers

Statement of John Walsh, leading plaintiffs’ attorney in libel cases

ACLU Statement

Statement of Rep. Peter King (R-NY)