OPB Public Insight Network(R) Station Seeks 'Public Sources' to Revitalize News Reporting

OPB Public Insight Network(R) Station Seeks 'Public Sources' to Revitalize News Reporting

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Soon, what you know, may become a part of what we all know.

Oregon Public Broadcasting is partnering with American Public Media in a pioneering effort -- the Public Insight Network(R) -- to open the station's newsroom to the knowledge and insight of citizens, announced OPB President and CEO Steve Bass.

The Public Insight Network(R), or PIN(R), will utilize the first-hand experience of a variety of people -- from teachers and parents to nurses and farmers -- anyone who has direct experience with issues of the day.

The Public Insight Network(R) launches on September 5, 2007 with a statewide call for public sources. To join, visit http://www.opb.org/publicinsight (URL will be live September 5) or e-mail Scott Silver at publicinsight@opb.org. Anyone over the age of 13 can join the network.

"OPB's Public Insight Network(R) promises to diversify our news coverage and provide greater depth to the reporting we do," Bass said. "We believe community members with all sorts of knowledge and expertise will lead us to stories we might not otherwise find."

Network sources will share their observations and experiences about issues in the news, thus connecting reporters with people who have direct experience with the topic. Reporters may then request more information or ask for an interview. Public sources also are encouraged to suggest topics for potential news stories.

Stories that utilize Network sources are held to the same journalistic and editorial standards the OPB applies to all potential news material. Insight contributions are confidential and will not appear without direct permission from the source.

Network members will receive an email no more than once a month asking them to share what they know. If a source doesn't have experience or knowledge about a topic, they are encouraged to forward the message to someone who does.

OPB's Public Insight Network(R) also will feed into public insight programs launched by New Hampshire Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio and North Carolina Public Radio -- steps towards developing a national network of public sources, thus contributing local news developed by OPB and national programming such as Marketplace and Weekend America.

Minnesota Public Radio successfully initiated its own public insight initiative four years ago. Today, its Public Insight Network(R) has grown into a database of nearly 30,000 volunteer sources, cataloged by profession, expertise and experience.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

CONTACT: Morgan Holm, Vice President of News & Public Information for
Oregon Public Broadcasting, +1-503-445-1975, mholm@opb.org

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