Go ahead! Plug your blog!
Certainly no news flash here: a blog can have serious reach.
I launched Freedom of the Prez in September 2006 with hopes that SPJ national presidents for years to come would log on occasionally to document important issues/events, generate discussion and generally connect with SPJ members and the public. Perhaps, over time, this blog's archives will help inform everyone's perspective about where SPJ is, how it got there and where it needs to head next.
It's also my hope that Freedom of the Prez is just one more hub where SPJ members can make their own voices heard. As you'll see on the left navigation rail of this page, there is a list headlined "Members Only." If you've got a blog to share, by all means send me the URL. I'll add it to that list pronto.
I was delighted this week to see mention of Freedom of the Prez on Rifftides, where SPJ member Doug Ramsey writes mostly about jazz for ArtsJournal.
Just a snippet of what Doug wrote:
"If you think an unimpeded flow of information is vital to the survival of democracy, rummaging around in the Freedom of the Prez archives will be enlightening--and sometimes infuriating. (Tatum) can be as tough on the news business and wayward journalists as she is on their enemies and detractors."
Awww, shucks.
But what really made me smile was a subsequent post on Rifftides that was generated as a result of that mention of Freedom of the Prez. One Rifftides reader -- Devra Hall of DevraDoWrite -- wanted to explore the "Bush administration's relationship to press freedom and journalistic responsibility, particularly in regard to the Joseph Wilson-Valerie Plame episode." She mentioned a conversation Bill Moyers had with two Constitutional scholars and concluded with the following graph:
"Having watched the program, I realized how little I know about the Constitution, the intentions of those who wrote it, and the predictions they made. I was fascinated by the discussion, and heartened that it took the subject of impeachment out of the realm of Bush bashing, or even partisan politics, and placed it in a solidly historical, impersonal perspective."
That comment gave Doug Ramsey another interesting in. He followed up:
"I wonder how many of us know as much about the Constitution as we think we do. I keep a copy on my desk and one in my laptop case, but I don't look at them nearly often enough. I'm making a resolution to brush up. We all should. With civil liberties under attack (as they always are) and a crucal election on the horizon, we need the understanding. For the price of shipping and handling, you can get a free copy here."
Might Doug's post inspire someone to study up on the Constitution? If so, that's quite an accomplishment.
Join the fun. Send me that URL today.