Portland Media Lab

[Guest blog by David Rosenfeld of the Lundreport]

When I heard about Portland Media Lab and the We Make the Media Conference a few weeks ago, I was admittedly a bit miffed that the organizers hadn’t reached out to a fledgling non-profit investigative news source that’s been showing promise much of this year. So to calm my hysteria, Cornelius suggested I write something here.

I edit and report for TheLundReport.org, a source of investigative healthcare news for Oregonians. Created by Diane Lund-Muzikant, who directed the Oregon Health Forum for 17 years, The Lund Report is a 501c3 non-profit with both an issue and geographical focus. We do some aggregating, but mostly original reporting and commentaries.

Since April of last year when we launched, we’ve been catching the attention of the press and many others in the way the Oregon Health News did under Diane’s leadership for so many years. For those not familiar with her work, Diane is well known as a bulldog reporter, sparking controversy from time to time with the healthcare industry. We’ve already earned the reputation, among the Oregonian editorial board at least, as a healthcare watchdog. And with the recent folding of Oregon Health Forum, our importance will only increase. I am currently the sole paid staff person. I serve as the web editor and contribute a large part of the content. We also pay for occasional freelance work. (more…)

[Guest post by Abraham Hyatt of Digital Journalism Portland]

We all want quality journalism. And we’re all good at pointing fingers at news outlets in Oregon we think fail at providing that substance. But is it possible for our journalism community as a whole — not just startups or existing publications — to fill that gap? Ron Buel, who helped found Willamette Week, has turned that question into a conference: We Make The Media. Buel wants the event, which takes place on Saturday, to be a sandbox for local journalists who want to explore what it would take to create a nonprofit news entity.

The event isn’t designed to actually create a nonprofit. That will be left to the participants, says Buel. “They undoubtedly will bring in outside resources to help, but there is no “control group” who will carry this forward. Future action will only be taken by conference participants who are committed to act, to carry out the plans made at the conference and approved by the entire group.” (more…)

By Melissa Chavez, Edited by Michele Elder, Co-Posted to The Sentinel

By Melissa Chavez
Most commonly associated with programs found on cable access, Portland Community Media partners with local nonprofits and community-based organizations in Portland to bring media access to local neighborhoods, produce local programming, and offer media education opportunities.

Now PCM is using the digital media realms of Facebook, Myspace, and YouTube to encourage the public to share stories about the community. Winning a recent matching grant from Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission for more than $300,000 and partnering with Central Northeast Neighbors are just the first steps PCM is taking toward expanding its reach.

(more…)