"They are pushing freedom of speech into new frontiers."
-2006 Knight-Batten Advisory Board Judges

This ambitious initiative was created to fight against the silencing of bloggers and aid members of the Media Bloggers Association facing legal battles. A member was sued in March 2006 for criticizing a Web-based ad campaign for Maine’s Office of Tourism, who asked that the blogger stop writing negatively about the campaign and that he remove previous posts. The MBA felt the case was without merit and was essential to the case being dropped.

"They use personality to try to lead you down the path, the funnel, to the story."
-2006 Knight-Batten Advisory Board Judges

The Roanoke Times designed this daily interactive news video to capture a younger audience who may not be traditional news consumers. TimesCast uses material from The Times and its Web site but tailors content to its target audience. Message boards, polls, blogs, podcasts and a searchable vlog are used. Webcasters include Roanoke Times reporters and special guests brought in to deliver the news in an often irreverant style.

"We liked the way they were using it. A good integration of what’s going on in the paper."
-2006 Knight-Batten Advisory Board Judges

The San Francisco Chronicle, which was the first U.S. newspaper to offer a podcast, has expanded it to 23 channels. They include “Back Story,” a program which features extended excerpts of interviews with such figures as Bono and Deep Throat and staffers giving insight about the editorial process. Another program, “Pinoy Pod,” is targeted for an underserved Filipino American audience and is produced in English and Tagalog.

"Leverages technology and partners for a niche audience."
-2006 Knight-Batten Advisory Board Judges

This series of podcast programs features a different local music artist every week. In addition, Spokane7.com partnered with a local club to put on a Wednesday night concert series. Artist interviews and the recorded concerts are packaged into podcasts. Users can subscribe to the podcast and get it automatically when it is uploaded to the Web.

"Builds in great efficiency for readers."
-2006 Knight-Batten Advisory Board Judges

The Orange County Register uses blog software to deliver early-morning business news and commentary. Posts are usually done before 6:30 a.m. so that typical business readers can get them before their commute or when they get to the office.

"An excellent expansion of efforts to educate voters."
-2006 Knight-Batten Advisory Board Judges

This project from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation consists of 308 Weblogs representing each Canadian riding (electoral district). Citizens of each riding used the blogs during the last federal election campaign to discuss and become informed about local political issues that were important in the election. Experienced journalists edited more than 10,000 comments and kept the debate on subject and of high quality.

"A useful way to navigate the information stream."
-2006 Knight-Batten Advisory Board Judges

This USAToday Web site delivers the news in a blog format while adhering to journalistic techniques and objectivity and accuracy standards. Like other blogs, the site allows reader comments and includes links to information sources outside of USA Today. Three contributing journalists post the latest news and links to relevant interesting information without editorializing.