Politics
Emulating Britain's writing awards might improve political journalism
The Orwell Prizes, named after the author of '1984,' reward serious political writing, by journalists, authors, and bloggers.
John Hamer
Latest work
Politics
Behind 'Seattle Times' winning a Pulitzer
A near-empty newsroom suddenly filled with journalists. But what came next was unprecedented, a true networking between a newspaper and citizens.
Equity
Bird-dogging news errors in the modern media age
Studies show that 40 to 60 percent of news stories contain errors, and those mistakes now live on in electronic form, reaching ever-wider audiences. Is there an oversight role for independent news councils?
Culture
In praise of 50th high school reunions
It's been 50 years since first-wave Baby Boomers graduated from high school. Celebrating the milestone with old classmates is profound, deeply bonding, almost tribal.
Politics
Advice for Britain's new National Press Regulator
In the wake of recent scandals, Britain's politicians want to regulate the country's naughty media. Our own Washington News Council might make a better model.