Society of Professional Journalists Conference

[Jim O'Bryan]

Highlights

2:30 p.m. Welcome and Keynote
Susan Goldberg, Editor, The Plain Dealer

Regina Brett, Plain Dealer columnist, presents “Journalists: Rise Up and Make a
Difference.” Brett is a metro columnist at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland

1. Citizen Journalism: This session explores the concept of citizen journalism through the experiences of a successful chain of citizen newspapers in Northeast Ohio. Presenters: Entrepreneur Jim O'Bryan co-founded the Observer chain of citizen newspapers in Northeast Ohio, which started with the Lakewood Observer. His forte is developing the software for the websites they all use, and the basic organizational structure and design of the papers. MBA grad Deanna Bremer Fisher runs the Heights Observer, a non-profit publication, while the other Observer papers have different philosophies. Ken Warren, former director of the Lakewood Library, takes a keen interest in citizen journalism and was a co-founder of the Lakewood Observer. Professor Carrie Buchanan of John Carroll University's Tim Russert Department of Communication and Theatre Arts will moderate the panel. •


FWIW

[dl meckes]

Very nice! Congratulations!