Keep up with technology at ONA Convention
The 2009 ONA Convention presents several opportunities to track the direction of online newspapering. Roger Fidler, program director for digital publishing at the Reynolds Journalism Institute, will lead a Friday, Feb. 13, session on “going mobile.” His presentation follows a panel discussion on legal and other issues arising from the emergence of blogs. A Thursday, Feb. 12, breakout session on “Web Solutions for Community Newspapers” will be conducted by Gary Sosniecki of Townnews.com.
Held at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center, the ONA Convention opens with a Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening, Feb. 11, and concludes late Friday morning, Feb. 13.
Fidler was a journalist and newspaper designer for 34 years and has been on the leading edge of online and digital publishing development since the late 1970’s. In his role at the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the U. of Missouri, he coordinates publishing research projects and the Digital Publishing Alliance. His convention session will include the latest figures on “e-readers” as well as an overview on the technology involved with putting news on mobile devices.
A former director of new media for Knight-Ridder, Fidler was a tenured professor of journalism in the Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication from 1996 to 2004.
Sosniecki is a regional sales manager for Townnews.com, specializing in weekly newspapers. He joined the company after a 34-year newspaper career that included ownership of weekly newspapers and publishing a small daily, all in Missouri.
The convention panel discussion on blogs will be moderated by Matt Westerhold, editor of The Sandusky Register, and will include ONA general counsel Lou Colombo, of Baker & Hostetler. The session will also include bloggers from ONA newspapers and will cover not only legal matters, but operational and ethical issues related to blogs.
For complete convention details and online registration, including Hilton room reservations, go to convention.ohionews.org. Don’t delay! Hilton rooms will go fast and the cutoff date for the special ONA room rate is Monday, Jan. 26!