OSPA. Sounds like the media you always dreamed of.

[The Backlash Cometh]

It was on rawstory.com yeterday:

Writers, publications to launch open source alternative press association

Writers and Progressive Publications to Launch Alternative Press Association

February 10, 2005 – Raw Story editors, along with several other independent progressive journalists and publications, will be launching the Open Source Press Association (OSPA) as an alternative to media agencies such as the Associated Press.

The OSPA will function on four levels: ethics in journalism, alternative press membership, networking and projects, resources, anti-smear council, and resources and distribution.

The Ethics in Journalism Board will vet journalists, publications, freelance writers and organizations for free membership, monitor unethical reporting, and present annual excellence in writing, reporting and publication awards. The board will be made up of founding publications, journalists, blogs, and organizational representatives that run the gamut of progressive press.

The alternative press, including publications, journalists, writers, and organizations, will allow for members to share resources, funding and act as a more inclusive fourth estate. This body will not be a corporate; it will not be beholden to anyone to report on certain topics. The ethics board will provide stringent reporting standards for journalists, publication, etc., and various other standards to be followed by other writers writing in different sub-genres of journalism.

The Networking and Projects arm will allow for a collaborative, safe, environment for publications to post projects in need of writers and for writers to post work in need of publication. The collaboration will be Web-enabled or function through an office.

The Fairness in Journalism Council arm of the OSPA will function as a safety for members who are attacked, threatened, smeared or discredited unfairly for reporting the truth.

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/index.php?p=63

[itzamirakul]

1. Sounds like wonderful news!

I can't wait for them to get started. This is something that is definitely needed. I say, let's let them know that we appreciate their efforts and if we can help, we will.

[UL_Approved]

2. More broad than NewsForge?

It looks like the open source community is really taking off now.

For a good indication of the Bush years, go look at the cryptography project downloads from November 2004 to present. A huge increase is noted after the 2004 election. It drops in January because the SourceForge site was down for maintenance.

Nothing says confidence in the pResident like an increase in encrypted software usage...

http://www.stop1984.org/

http://entropy.stop1984.com/en/home.html

http://sourceforge.net/softwaremap/trove_list.php?form_cat=44

http://sourceforge.net/softwaremap/trove_list.php?form_cat=43

[cry baby]

3. I'll send a few buck their way, hope it takes off.

[Clark2008]

4. Are they hiring?

I have a B.S. (no pun intended) in Communications with a concentration in news/editorial.

[cry baby]

5. Hi Clarkie - there is an email address that you can write to and tell

them about yourself. If that first email is wrong, look in the comments section and get a revised one.:hi: