传媒视域

2003年3月，一个名叫克里斯·奥布瑞顿（Chris Allbritton）的人开设了自己的博客网站“回到伊拉克”（www.back-to-iraq.com）。一台笔记本电脑、一台数码相机、一套全球定位卫星装置以及一部租来的卫星电话就是他的全部“家当”。靠这些，他在伊拉克开始独立采访、写作，并向对伊战感兴趣却又不满足于从主流媒介获得消息的网民独家出售有关战争的新闻报道。据说，截止到今年3月，已经有342位网民订阅，并支付了14500美元。他被称为“第一位专业化的博客战地记者”、“第一位独立的网络记者”等。除了做博客网站，他目前也在纽约大学新闻学院担任助理教授。相信，选择了这样的生存方式，就永远必须选择新闻焦点的第一现场。当下，风暴中心在伊拉克，接下来，谁知道是哪儿呢。祝福Chris Allbritton，愿他的博客之路走得更远、更长。

附:Chris Allbritton's Resume

Back-to-Iraq.com 2002-present

Editor/Publisher

In the fall of 2002, I launched, published and edited my own publication, Back to Iraq (www.back-to-iraq.com), a Web site focusing on the war with Iraq. Combining 13 years of experience (see below) with personal travels and reporting in the region, I built a loyal following of more than 1 million readers to date who contributed more than US$14,000 to send me to cover the war in Iraq with no back-up, no bulletproof vest and no embedding—just pure, individual journalism using a laptop and a satellite phone. After a month in-country—and a daily readership of almost 25,000 at the peak—I returned to begin work on a book.

Freelance journalist, New York, N.Y. 1998-present

Since 1998, I’ve written for popular magazines, newspapers and Web sites, including The New York Times, MediaBistro.com, Wired Digital, Salon.com, Good Housekeeping, ArtByte, Ticker, DigitALL, Intellectual Property Worldwide and Corporate Counsel. Since 2001, I’ve been freelance full-time and I’m currently a contributing editor for Popular Mechanics, where I’m responsible for a monthly column and two to three features every issue. Additionally, I help edit KurdishMedia.com, pro bono.

Powerful Media Inc., New York, N.Y. 2000-2001

Media and Books Reporter

While at Powerful Media’s Inside.com, I covered the twin beats of the magazine and book publishing industry under daily and hourly deadlines. I wrote about the business and social impact of the publishing industry, with features on the book industry’s future under pressure from independent publishing houses, crafted profiles of leading industry figures such as Random House’s COO Y.S. Chi, and moderated a roundtable of publishing’s éminences grises Jason Epstein, John Brockman and Richard Curtis.

New York Daily News, New York, N.Y. 1999-2000

Chief Technology Writer

As the Chief Technology Writer for the New York Daily News (circ. ca. 800,000), I was responsible for Click!, a weekly three-page section on consumer technology, trends and ideas. I covered consumer protection issues regarding privacy online, technology in schools and the latest offerings from the consumer electronics industry. At the same time, I developed investigative stories, including a look at how the United States Congress, reneged on promises to make information available to the public.

The Associated Press, New York, N.Y. 1997-1999

International Desk Editor/National Writer

Beginning as an editor on the International Desk, I helped shape and edit the coverage of the massacres in Algeria by Islamist rebels, the pollution afflicting Southeast Asia and the death of Princess Diana. After three months, I was promoted to National Writer, where I covered and coordinated the Associated Press’ coverage of the Internet, technology and how it related to national and international news. Specializing in encryption, privacy and hacker “culture,” I also broke stories on the use of restrictive contracts by Microsoft Corp. against industry rivals – contracts that later would be part of the federal government’s successful antitrust prosecution of the software giant. I also looked at the impact of America’s silicon culture around the world in the well-received package “Silicon Planet,” which was featured on the front pages of major newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Ark. 1994-1996

Reporter/copy editor

As a reporter and copy editor, I handled the nightly tasks of editing and headline writing for the statewide newspaper in Arkansas (circ. ca. 175,000). While there, I wrote several articles on Arkansas’ technology infrastructure, including the state’s higher education policies and priorities toward the then-unknown Internet. I also covered the first Communication Decency Act, providing constitutional analysis of the law that would eventually be ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Also, I wrote one of the first articles on so-called Internet Addiction, which has been widely disseminated online.

Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, Hot Springs, Ark. 1992-1994

Weekend Editor and Reporter

As the weekend editor, I was responsible for the editing and production of the Sunday and Monday editions of the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, (circ. ca. 20,000). I wrote editorials, reported and photographed spot news, edited wire and staff copy, supervised and trained weekend assistant and supervised and coordinated weekend coverage of the staff. Seeing as Hot Springs is President Clinton’s hometown, I was heavily involved in the coverage of his first election and the transition from governor to president.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Ark. 1990-1992

Obituary writer/Reporter/Photographer

My first job in journalism was as an obituary writer and cub reporter at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, where I learned how to write the micro-profile of an obituary and deal with a family’s grief. I also reported on the Arkansas statehouse and worked as a photographer for the entire paper, covering spot news, features, profiles and sporting events. At the same time, I was putting myself through school and working at the newspaper full-time, impressing my editors and professors with my energy and dedication.

other experience/skills

Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, New York, N.Y. 1999- 2000

Adjunct professor for New Media

For a semester, I taught New Media and new journalism at my alma mater, developing curricula, lectures and material for classes on the theory of new media and information/architecture.

New York University School of Journalism, New York, N.Y. 2003-present

Adjunct professor

For the last two semesters I’ve taught Digital Journalism, and I am the sole developer for curriculum and lectures each semester.