Net Neutrality

It's a critical issue for Internet users. This video is for the people:

Music, Music, Music

Over the past couple of days I've been reminded of the power of music to affect a person's experience and, too, the power of music to help us feel a person's story.

On the way to Nashville I caught up on listening to some recent episodes of Catholic Rockers, a very cool podcast by George Leite featuring new and/or little known Catholic rock musicians - and some established names. In most of the podcasts, George not only plays some of the featured performers' music, but interviews the individual or group that made the music. These interviews add to the richness of listening to this great music. Not only are these podcasts fun to listen to, but they make we want to empty my wallet and buy more music.

After last night's conference dinner, we were entertained by Beth Nielsen Chapman, "one of Nashville's top recording artists and songwriter." It was a fine evening of entertainment. In addition to some really good tunes, Beth shared some of the events in her life and the songs that resulted. The storytelling and healing elements of music were clear.

Music has such power.

Upcoming: Reports from the 2006 Catholic Media Convocation

Check here for reports from the 2006 Catholic Media Convocation - the annual national convention of Catholic print and electronic media professionals. This year's location is Nashville, Tennessee. Information about the Convocation is here.

Catholic Podcast Listing

Looking for Catholic Podcasts? Fr. Seraphim Besoner, TOR, of Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio has a list of Catholic Podcasts which he updates as he learns about new Catholic podcasts. There are a lot!

Christians Setting Sights on Hollywood

Christians should work to change Hollywood from the inside, instead of spending so much time criticizing it from outside. This is one of the main ideas in the recently published "Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film and Culture" (Baker Books).

That's the start of an online article highlighting some of the key points in a new book that has come from the leaders of Act One, a ministry & training program seeking to teach Catholic/Christian men and women to work effectively in the mainstream media, bringing God's truth to society through the media. Read the full ZENIT article for some important insights.

Spokesman-Review Video Journal

Photojournalist Colin Mulvany covers life in the Inland Northwest for the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington. For the past several months, Colin has been creating online slide shows and short video stories for the paper's website. He's done a variety of digital stories, and they're very good examples of applied media convergence. Check out Colin's Video Journal for a new look at storytelling.

Catholic Media Journal

Nine weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, I was part of a small group of Catholic Journalists who travelled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans to see and report on the continuing effects of the storm. We experienced devastation beyond our imaginations - and we met many people serving others and the Church under incredible circumstances.

They need our prayers and our support.

We've posted some of our initial impressions at Catholic Media Journal. More links and information can be found at CatholicsRespond.org.