Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Time for a Journalism Unconference?
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mil8, via Flickr (CC license)
Could "unconferences" like BlogHer be a model for journalism meetings? |
Have you heard of "
unconferences" -- or better yet, have you been to one? A recent
Business Week article sums it up:
"Unconferences turn the plodding, predictable business gathering inside out. They're a hybrid of a teach-in and a jam session, with a little show-and-tell mixed in, and they are attracting hundreds in cities like Austin, Tex., Bangalore, San Francisco, Sydney, and Tokyo. Unlike traditional, $1,000-a-head and up conferences, they're totally unstructured -- the agenda isn't determined until the opening day of the event. Everyone who shows up is a potential speaker, and those who don't speak contribute by posting photos, blog entries, podcasts, and video clips of the proceedings. Neckties and heels are noticeably absent. And attendance is almost always inexpensive or free."
...Well, that's almost correct. Actually, most unconferences I've attended (like BlogHer) are at least somewhat structured in terms of general schedule, topics, and discussion leaders. The value of unconferences is the focus on participation, collaboration, and creativity. People go to unconferences not just to talk about stuff, but to do stuff -- or at least, to coordinate with people and get projects moving. But the point is that every session is based on participation.
So far, most unconferences have been related to tech or online media. Last year there was a citizen journalism unconference. But I think it's high time for a journalism/media unconference.
Like many Tidbits readers, I've been to lots and lots of journalism/media conferences. I must say, I'm growing tired of the lecture format and of the fairly stiff divide between speakers and audience. Too often at these events, people are mainly talking at each other, rather than brainstorming and collaborating.
I suspect it might be an especially good idea to hold an unconference in which journalists brainstorm with Holvaty-esque creative tech-types to find collaborative ways to enhance journalism. Ideally, that would work both ways: The techies would learn more about how they can enhance reporting and storytelling; and the journalists would learn more about how they can add structure to the information in their stories in order to present that information more flexibly and usefully.
This is definitely just an idea. What do you think? Please comment below.
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