Stephens Farnsworth, George Mason communications professor, provides an indepth interview on the pros and cons of the Media Shield bill. Farnsworth believes that the quality of journalism suffers without more protection for journalists. He states, " [media shield law] could have made it possible for more effective investigations of government misconduct in the past. And, if the law passed, it will help future reporter investigations."

Read the Stephen Farnsworth Interview.

In case you missed it, I wanted to mention a recent op-ed opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal that was terrific.

Written by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and CivilNation founder Andrea Weckerle, it called for more civility and less abusiveness online.

It said online comments often consist of "semi-literate, vitriolic remarks that appear to serve no purpose besides disparaging their intended target." It urged victims to stop being doormats ... to stop thinking "hostile online speech is a tolerable form of free expression" ... and fight back by speaking out.

To which I can only add, way to go ... and our site will be doing a discussion topic on this issue.

On the Media Game blog is written by Gerry Storch.

Ever notice how journalists are portrayed negatively on TV, such as in "Law and Order?" Reflecting a popular perception, they're shown as pushy jerks.

That came to mind when I read a Wall Street Journal article about a San Francisco area woman who personally inspected 298 homes before finally buying one for ... get this ... $5.9 million.

While buyers reasonably want to see a selection of homes, a dozen or so prescreened by the realtor would seem to be enough in most circumstances. Any more than that usually means the buyer has become unreasonable, impossible to satisfy, going to an extreme or not really ready to buy.

And what did this California woman who went to an extreme used to do for a living? Why, she was a reporter for UPI. If there's ever a West Coast "Law and Order," she would fit right in.

On the Media Game blog is written by Gerry Storch.

Award-winning investigative reporter, Kim Bolan, talks about her transition to online journalism, and the challenges and benefits it has created. Bolan, who currently works at the Vancouver Sun, has embraced technology to improve her journalistic goals. She states, "If I pick a quirky angle on a story I am covering, I'll find that I can basically influence all the other media to pick up that angle." However, Bolan also states that her workload has gone up 30% without any increase in pay. She also adds, "...if news organizations are to survive, they must move forward and embrace this technology and medium."

Read the Kim Bolan Interview

This time, it's at the Dallas Morning News, where news department heads were told last month that they would start reporting to an advertising salesperson rather than the top editor.

The idea of news being independent from advertising influence and truly serving the reader has just gone out the window.

For the ad staffers, this is probably sweet revenge, as reporters have long looked down on them as unimaginative drones while they, the writers, are the paper's creative backbone ... at least in their own minds.

But how would the ad staffers like it if they were told that their new boss is some editor with zero business experience?

The two sides have never meshed well and should be kept separate for both their sakes.

On the Media Game blog is written by Gerry Storch.

Jacky Myint is an interactive designer for Media Storm, an award winning website. Myint talks about it means to be a woman working in online communication. Myint believes that blogs and online journalism "coexist" and communicate different forms of reporting.

Read the Jacky Myint Interview

Holly Edgell, Executive Producer at KOMU 8 and an assistant professor of journalism at The University of Missouri. Edgell discusses online journalism, and her experience working in it. She states, "online journalism is journalistic content produced by legitimate journalistic outlets."

Read the Holly Edgell Interview

Dorthy Ray is the creator and host of The Dottie Ray Show on Iowa City’s KXIC-AM800 - a popular morning show which hosts a variety of Iowa City area citizens for coffee and discussion over local issues and events. Ray discusses her experience working in journalism, and the changes she sees taking place. Ray is 'terrified' that newspapers are shutting down.

Read the Dorthy Ray Interview

Denise Polverine, editor-in-chief of Cleveland.com, discusses her experience working in online journalism. Polverine believes that the one of the biggest challenge facing online journalist is building an audience, and to teach print journalists how to transition to online mediums. Polverine also discusses what the future of her industry may look like, and what she believes journalism students should learn to succeed.

Read the Denise Polverine Interview

Len Shyles, associate professor of communication at Villanova University, believes the Media Shield Bill can have detrimental effects on democracy and freedom of speech. He states, "..watering down of the shield laws is not an attractive idea even in time of war." Shyles also talks about the decentralization of media production, and why he believes that not just anybody can be a good journalist.

Read the Len Shyles Interview