This Guy is Like Me

by A.man.I

I must apologize for my temporary blogging hiatus. I spent all last week in California at the Spring VON conference, and I also met with several independent media producers. Now that my Bay area tour is over, I'll start editing. If you're a regular reader of My Urban Report, you know that I come from a TV news background. When I started my "citizen journalism" venture, I didn't think my mainstream associates would understand the new path that I'm on. Turns out, I'm wrong.


I met another news cat at VON who is just as crazy with his camera as I am. His name is Jim Long, and he founded VergeNewMedia. Jim is actually a NBC network news photographer who's seen the new media light. We had a cool time at VON, and I have much respect for his ethic. He's a one man machine, interviewing, shooting, and editing. His wireless laptop is his satellite truck, and the Internet is his broadcast outlet.

This is Called a Rough Cut

by A.man.I

For the record, the SF Bay area is my home. I'm from a small town of rogues called East Palo Alto. When I left more than ten years ago, I was a kid watching the news cover my city. I ran away to learn about TV news and the business, and now I can take my camera and show you life from a different perspective myself thanks to the Internet.

I'll be posting more of my adventures soon, but it takes time to edit. For now take in some of the sights from my first day at VON. It's a rough cut, but all of the other vloggers were posting their videos, so here's mine.

Calling All Citizen Journalists

by A.man.I
If you're a video maker, student, community leader, work for an organization that's trying to make a difference, or if you've always wanted to be on TV, pay attention.

I'm developing a TV show with Black Family Channel that will allow the everyday citizen to have a voice. The show is called UR TV, and it's based on the idea of citizen journalism. Basically we're looking for a worldwide army of community reporters. If I need to explain why you should think about sharing some of your experiences and stories to us, watch your local news tonight, and come back tomorrow and read this post again.

If this sounds like a great opportunity for you, or someone you know, send them a link here. We are all the media, and need to start acting like it.

Watch my homemade message below.

YouTube version
Download video

Documentary Highlights Youngster's Self Image

by A.man.I
The self image of black teens, and children is examined in the documentary "A Girl Like Me." Teenaged filmmaker Kiri Davis produced the seven minute video through Reel Works Teen Filmmaking in New York. In the video, Davis replicates a doll study that was originally conducted by sociologist Kenneth Clark during the segregation era. Clark's study helped prove that segregation was psychologically damaging. Davis' video indicates that youngsters are still dealing with similar issues.

Thanks to theSuperspade.blogspot.com for posting it.

Watch below.

It's Great to Be a Florida Gator

From A.man.I
The school's colors are bright orange and blue, the team plays in a field known as the swamp, and tonight the University Florida Gators face the Ohio State Buckeyes, in the Fiesta Bowl for the BCS National Championship game.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into back in 1995 (it doesn't seem that long ago) when I transferred from a SF Bay Area community college to the University of Florida to continue my broadcasting studies. I still have the ticket stub from the first game I attended with my father when we visited the school. It was the Steve Spurrier era, UF played 'Ole Miss, and beat up on 'em. College football is different in the south, the spirit is off the meter, and folks take it seriously.

In 1996, the Gators won the football National Championship, then ten years later (2006), the basketball team won its first NCAA Championship. By this time, I was an experienced news reporter at WTVT-TV (Fox 13, Tampa). When I had the opportunity to return to Gainesville to cover the fans, I didn't hesitate. To top it off the station sent me with my road dog Rod Finch. He's my best friend in the news business.

So there's a story behind this video I'm posting. Florida of course won the basketball championship last year, and Rod and I were in the streets of University Avenue, covering the 10-thousand fans who flooded the streets. It was fun, but it was work, and the next morning we had an 7 and 8 o'clock live shot shot. After the police broke up the party around 2 a.m. we decided to grab something to eat, and by the time we returned to the hotel to sleep it was around 4 a.m. We both put in for a wake up call, but it never happened. At about 6:30, I hear my cell phone ringing, it's the satellite truck operator. We overslept. I ran up the hallway knock on Rod's hotel room door, we rush downstairs, and barely made our first hit. I still had the sleep in my eyes for the 8 o'clock hit. It became a legendary moment at my old station, because it was "off da chain." Helpfully, it will be off da chain tonight too. Go Gators.

Saddam Execution

From A.man.I

This is just the latest example of a citizen capturing a newsworthy moment with a camera phone. The video is poorly shot, and it landed some guards in a bit of trouble, but now, it's online for all to see.

Sure it's slightly graphic, but the media gatekeepers can't keep this out of the public view.

Link to video (proceed with caution)

This Revolution Won't Be Televised

From BusinessWeek
Catherine Holahan writes about citizen journalism and impact of video on the Net.
Posted by Citizen Media Watch.

Africa

From A.man.I
& Prince19826

I'm going to write one word, and I want you to think what comes to mind. AFRICA.

I really don't care what you thought about, I just want you to think.
Now watch this video posted by Prince19826 on Blip.TV.

Thoughts on New Media

From Journal-isms
Richard Prince provides some insighful thoughts on the current state of diversity in the journalism business, and new media.

The turmoil in the news business prompted by new technologies, changing news consumption habits and Wall Street demands ricocheted in newsrooms with a flurry of buyouts, layoffs and changes of ownership that left journalists feeling like whiplash victims.

The victims, Prince explains included both minority journalists and editors, like Dean Bauet of the Los Angeles Times. He was reportedly fired for objecting to his newpapers budget cutting plans.

Prince also discusses new media, and the blogosphere which has grown to an estimated 100-million bloggers.

No one appears to be tracking the diversity numbers, but Ju-Don Roberts, managing editor of washingtonpost.com, an African American who is next year's conference chair, said, "We need to improve the representation of minorities in the Online News Association."

Happy New Year!!!

From A.man.I

Greetings, and blessings to all in the 2007!!! It's hard to believe that 2006 is now in the history books. Journalist Ed Bradley, the legendary James Brown, and President Ford passed, and whle it is easy to reminisce and reflect, this is a time to set personal goals, and look towards the future.

We're living in exciting times, especially for a media hound like me. There's a full-fledged revolution occurring which is reshaping the way we teach, learn, and inform each other. People no longer have to exclusively depend on mainstream media (TV/newspapers) for information. I'm not saying we don't need mainstream media, and professional watchdogs that journalists should be, however, I've personally experienced the power of blogs.

When James Brown passed, I learned of the "breaking news," not from one of the mainstream outlets, but, rather a blogger, who posted the info right after he passed. Sure, blogs are often criticized for being poorly written journals that perpetuate rumors, and spread bad information, but there are numerous examples of credible, well informed writers and journalists who are working to share timely, and accurate stories.

My Urban Report is just one example. Though my background is in broadcast journalism, I'm now dabbling in print, and using some of the skills I've picked up in my 10 plus years working in the media, to do it my way. If you've recently found me online, I thank you for taking the time to read, and watch. My goal is to educate my readers/viewers about the media, share some positive stories that often go ignored in the mainstream, and promote citizen journalism, because now the people, that means you, and I have the power to inform the masses.

Sorry for the long rant, but I have to set the record straight for the 2007.

Thanks for tuning into My Urban Report.

I do this for the love.

Peace.