The following is an analysis of the American Press Institute website (http://americanpressinstitute.org/)
The American Press Institute (API) was founded by newspaper publishers in 1946. The API has different tracks of programs like advertising, editorial, and management. API also has seminars on content, values, leadership and management. API is located in Reston, Virginia, and conducts more than 30 seminars a year for everything from journalists to sale professionals.
The website has made information on it’s seminars readily available at the middle of the home page. It provides what kind of seminar will be given, when, and where. In the left column are accesses to API resources, leadership tips, and API news. API is also home to publications and research located at the bottom of the page.
This site can be useful to journalists because of the publications it provides. There is research published on the website concerning issues like the future of news, how to report on a crisis, how to connect with different audiences and ethnic groups, and even how our cell phones are affecting journalism. I did however try to access a number of these research publications and was told the page did not exist.
The website gives much emphasis to the API’s seminars on journalism. While I was not able to access many of the research publications, there are, however, a number of resources available that cover things like how to use social networking to generate revenue, educating youth about the First Amendment and freedom of speech, and how to diversify your newsroom.
The API Leadership column is probably the most informative. It has many articles titled “Five Questions For…” then an expert in the journalism community answers the questions. However many of these articles are dated. The most current article is from January 13, 2010, and the second most recent is from May 7, 2008. There is some good information in these articles though, despite their lack of timeliness.
Over all I would give the website a rating of 3 out of 5. There is some good information here, but some of it is dated. It is easily accessible and navigable. There is a place for discussion led by prominent people in the journalism business. The API claims it is a place for sharing ideas, experiences, and strategies. I think they do justify this statement. I would give the website a better score if more of the information was current.
That's interesting that many of the Web site links did not exist. That is pretty ironic since it is a journalistic Web site and that does not seem to parallel with the definition of journalism we have been discussing in class.I do like the set up of the Web site, especially the API Leadership column. It answered many questions I had. I agree with Chad's rating of the Web site. It is unsettling that many of the articles were outdated.
ReplyDeleteJudging by his description, it would seem Chad was justified, if not rather generous, in giving the American Press Institute website a mere 3 out of 5. While there are some information articles, which may or may not still be available, it would seem the real purpose of the site is to promote their seminars. With articles not being updated, one might almost imagine their existence at all is to lend a hint of legitimacy to a site that is merely an advertisement. So far as I can tell, this site is quite lacking when it comes to journalistic resources. Lets hope for their sake the seminars are put together more thoughtfully.
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