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About 5Across

5 people. 1 big topic. Face to face. 5Across is a monthly video discussion looking at hot-button topics like online video, the future of newspaper journalism and Twitter. Each show brings 5 experts together in an informal, comfortable setting, and is taped live in San Francisco. The show is then edited into digestible chunks for the web, appearing on MediaShift, as well as PBS channels on YouTube and Facebook. You can subscribe to the long version of the show here or via iTunes. If you have an idea for a show topic or want to be a guest or give us feedback, please let us know through the contact form.

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Underwritten by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

5Across

5Across: How to Deal with Technology Overload

So many of us are feeling overwhelmed with technology and are trying to deal with it. I've written about my own practice of taking a technology sabbath for one day off a week from my computer. On this episode of 5Across, I convened a roundtable of folks who are either overloaded with technology or helping people deal with that overload. And for true balance, the discussion also touches on the benefits of technology, too. Check it out!

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5Across

The Importance of Free Speech Online in Iran, China, Kenya

In a crisis, governments will often curtail freedom of the press, censoring or shutting broadcasts and newspapers. But blocking websites, slowing the Internet or cutting off SMS messaging can be harder to do. Stopping the flow of information online can be a difficult task, as the Iranian government has learned over the past few weeks, as protesters have posted images...

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5Across

Twitter Mania: Will Twitter Change the World?

Twitter has become a multi-headed phenomenon since MediaShift devoted a week to covering micro-blogging two years ago. Twitter is now established as a new form of communication, an early warning system for breaking news, and a startup company in San Francisco that has no discernable income. And with the power of Oprah, CNN and Ashton Kutcher, it has become...

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5Across

An After-Life for Newspapers

Everywhere you look there are dark signs for newspapers: bankruptcies, less print editions, the threat of closings in San Francisco and Boston, layoffs and pay cuts. But the journalism of newspapers will live on in digital form online. How will this after-life look? We brought together five people for the latest episode of 5Across who are working for newspapers...

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5Across

Lively Roundtable Discussion on Making Compelling Online Video

When I launched MediaShift in early 2006, I wanted to go beyond writing about all the trends in online media -- blogging, podcasting, online video, etc. -- and actually do those things myself. Walk my talk. I recently launched the 4-Minute Roundup audio podcast, and today I'm launching a new monthly video roundtable called 5Across that will include 5...

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