In a post yesterday on the O's call for commentators, I mentioned OPB's Public Insight Network, but notice this hasn't really been discussed here.
If you haven't heard their announcements or seen this on their website, it's something to pay attention to.
While this is OPB's project and isn't a copy of MPR's, it has similarities to a project Minnesota Public Radio has had for more than two years. People knowledgeable in various areas--in the thousands, not hundreds--feed into their news discussions.
One of the more interesting things to come out of it was an awareness of the state's crumbling infrastructure. They did a series of on-air reports as a result of what they learned that got the Minnesota legislature moving. It was an item that was not on the radar screen of any of the local media. All this was before the bridge collapse.
It will be interesting to see what OPB's project produces.
I hate to see this post go unanswered because the PIN is such a cool idea. I'm not directly involved in it. In fact, great efforts have been made to completely separate it from the fundraising side of OPB. But from what I understand, the interest has been huge, far outpacing other stations. Last I heard we've had over 350 people sign up.
It's an exciting development in news gathering. We are all proud to be a part of it.
John Bee
Associate Director of Membership
On-air, on-line and Event
Oregon Public Broadcasting