Press TV Debut

Summer is going swimmingly. As of today, I'm the happy owner of a motorcycle learner's permit. Bike to follow. Hey, it won't be digital, but it should save on gas.

Oh, and be fun!

On to business. You may have heard of Iran's new Press TV channel. By new, I mean it started broadcasting today. I was a guest on one of the news-talk programs. The subject: media consolidation. They had told me it would be on "media today" (a much broader area), but I'll just chalk up the miscommunication to first-day issues. The show host is a fellow of great vocal energy, but I have no idea what his delivery came across like on video. He had guests from DC (me), California, Jordan and Tehran (in the studio).

During the show, we discussed news independence, local v. national v. narrowcast news, and the growth of Internet news, as well as the lack of 'Net penetration in certain parts of the globe (Jordan, specifically).

It's late (nearly midnight) and I'm not sure how much interest there'll be in this entry, so let me scoot off to sleep. If you'd like to know more, just add a comment and I'll be happy to expound.

G'night!