Inspired by the hackerspace movement and open-source software culture, we are converting Newsdesk.org into a shared platform for independent journalists who need infrastructure for their public-interest work. As a trial run, we are offering ten invitations to news producers who’d like to use Newsdesk.org as a virtual hackerspace — for fundraising, collaboration, independent publishing, experimenting with software, and whatever else seems opportune. The site is fully functional, with 501(c)(3) status and a suite of hosted online publishing services. There is no publisher or editor, and no cost for participation. Journalists are free to use the site as they see fit for their public-interest work. Continue Reading →
Recent posts
Printable voter guide to San Francisco’s mayoral candidates
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The 2011 Nonpartisan Voter Guide to the SF Mayoral Candidates is a succinct, printable listing of candidate positions and quotes on more than two-dozen key policy issues and ballot initiatives. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Democracy & Civic Life, candidates, Elections, San Francisco, voters
‘Right Beneath Our Feet’: The Toxic Tour returns to Oakland
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Thinking about planting a garden this spring? Many West Oakland residents are doing the same — unaware that there is lead and cadmium in the soil and perhaps an old gasoline tank right under their driveway. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News, Oakland Toxic Tour, The Toxic Tour
Interview with “Smogtown” authors: LA Toxic Tour Blog #3
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In the kickoff to Here in the City's "Air Check: petroleum and air pollution from a community perspective," Sara Harris interviews Chip Jacobs and William Kelly, the authors of "Smogtown: The lung-burning history of pollution in Los Angeles." Continue Reading →
Filed under: Culture & Economy, LA Toxic Tour: Air Check, Hear in the City, KPFK, Los Angeles, pollution, Smogtown, Spot.Us
Lesser known facts about air pollution in Los Angeles: LA Toxic Tour Blog #2
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The Coalition for Clean Air houses a wealth of information about quality in California. Here are some surprising assertions I encountered about Los Angeles recently on their site: Continue Reading →
Filed under: Featured, LA Toxic Tour: Air Check, The Sciences, The Toxic Tour, air pollution, Health, Los Angeles, Public Health
“The Smogometer”: LA Toxic Tour Blog #1
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I'm knee deep in Smogtown: The Lung-burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles by Chip Jacobs and William Kelley. It's written like the pair wishes they were really James Elroy, but it's chock-full of archival research and unbelievable anecdotes about just how toxic the miasma called air was in Los Angeles before the oil companies and defense manufacturers were ever subject to regulation. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Culture & Economy, Featured, LA Toxic Tour: Air Check, The Toxic Tour, air pollution, Environment, Health, Hear in the City
The Los Angeles Toxic Tour: Request for Proposals
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[Download this RFP as a PDF]
Would you like to bring the award-winning “Toxic Tour” reporting project to Los Angeles? Newsdesk.org and Spot.Us welcome proposals from journalists interested in developing new coverage of pollution and environmental health in Los Angeles communities. Proposals are due Nov. 12 for short-term projects using text and multimedia to document pollution and communities in greater Los Angeles. Topics include neighborhoods, economics, industry, land use, transportation, politics, activism, environment and health. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News, The Toxic Tour, Journalism, Media, pollution, Public Health
Newsdesk.org relaunches Web site
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San Francisco designer Willo O'Brien and technologist Andrew A. Peterson worked closely with Newsdesk.org editor George Shirk to develop a new site, which sports plenty of social-media and self-promotional muscle, along with an elegant, clean design. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Newsdesk News, CMS, Journalism, Media, online journalism
Blogging Booms Worldwide, Repression on its Heels
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With Internet use booming worldwide, tens of thousands of new blogs written in Farsi, Arabic, Chinese and other languages are inspiring both civic activism and government crackdowns. Worldwide, nearly half of all imprisoned media workers are online journalists or bloggers, according to a new study by the Committee to Protect Journalists that names Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Tunisia and Syria as leaders in online repression. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Democracy & Civics, World, Media, News You Might Have Missed
HIV Travel Ban Persists Abroad
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Just a handful of nations persist in banning visits by HIV-positive foreigners, following President Barack Obama's decision to lift the travel ban in the United States. Ki-moon, is working to end discrimination against those infected with HIV around the world—and in his home nation. South Korea has deported 521 foreigners diagnosed with HIV since 2008, and requires foreign residents to take HIV tests annually, as well as if they want to extend a work or residency permit. Continue Reading →