“It started with a trickle, but television news operations are now awash in video and pictures submitted by ordinary folks. The much-buzzed-about phenomenon of citizen journalism is firmly entrenched, thanks to the spread of digital and cellphone cameras and the rise of an interactive culture. It is one sweet deal for the networks: small armies of tech-savvy volunteers in places where reporters aren’t, offering their services free of charge.”
Tag: 09.24.07
Smithsonian’s New TV Venture Launches
But you can only see it on a satellite service. “Several groups objected to the contract because the Smithsonian signed over to Showtime semi-exclusive rights to produce films built around the national institution’s resources. Since the deal was made public 20 months ago, Smithsonian officials have defended it as a way to make the museums accessible to more people and as a new source of needed money for the museums.”
Study: Gay Representation On Series TV Is Down
There are a total of seven series regular non-heterosexual characters, or 1.1%, on the five broadcast networks this season, down from 9 last season. ABC continues by a mile to be the most inclusive of non-het representation.
Documenta Show Sees Big Attendance Boost
“Documenta, the contemporary art show that takes place every five years in the German town of Kassel, drew a record 754,000 paying visitors this year, 100,000 more than attended the last edition in 2002.”
TV Ads You Can’t Get Rid Of
“Promotional content on what the industry calls the ‘lower third’ of the television screen is “the way of the world these days. Viewers say that snipes and bugs are degrading their experience of watching television.”
A New York Spanish Bookstore Closes
“In a city — and a country — that has seen dozens of bookstores close in the face of online competition and dwindling customer traffic, the demise of Lectorum comes as a particular blow to the Hispanic literary community in New York. For nearly a half-century Lectorum has dispensed a wide range of translations of popular American titles by authors like John Grisham and Nora Roberts, as well as a vibrant collection of books by Spanish and Latin American novelists, poets and playwrights.”