Great Finds

The Columbia Journalism Review recently published a solid piece that examines media coverage of working mother, relieving those of us who have had it with articles about women who ‘opt out’ and stay at home (as in this New York Times article). Most working mothers report to the office for the same reasons that working fathers do: we need to earn money to pay rent and feed our kids. See E.J. Graf’s refreshing article in the Columbia Journalism Review. And if you’re interested in more varied and authentic portrayals of motherhood than currently offered in Good Housekeeping, see girl-mom.com (teen mothers), mommytoo.com (African-American mothers), mamazine.com (feminist parenting), literarymama.com (self-explanatory), mothersmovementonline.com (political mothers) and others.

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The Internet allows news organizations to publish minute by minute updates – often unsubstantiated rumors – on the most ludicrous topics (Anna Nicole Smith) and in this way, yes, it dumbs down journalism. But, the Internet also accommodates lengthier, richer and more thoughtful explorations of overlooked topics than you can find in most print vehicles. That’s why I’m sad that the website sixbillion.org seems to have been left in limbo, with no apparent updates from the third issue, 2005, that is currently available. Sixbillion offers narrative storytelling through text, photography, art, video and interviews, covering a range of stories from the Iraq War to hand-carved gravestones in Rhode Island. Well, it did, anyway.