Speaking at a Westminster Media Forum event yesterday on the future of local media, John Hardie said the government's plans for a series of independently funded news consortia (IFNC) – made up of newspaper, radio and television groups – should involve separate contracts for England, Scotland and Wales.

This shift for media organisations isn't going to go away. In fact, with ubiquitous mobile broadband not far over the horizon, a hyper-connected society might also turn out to be a hyper-indignant one. The question is, as a business, what are you doing about it?

Included are 100 notable data visualization specialists, graphics artists, videographers, photographers, interactive designers, programmers, storytellers, visual journalists and Web developers.

"…how about regarding newspapers as a premium product, based on the idea that those who want them are prepared to pay – as much as a fancy cup of coffee?"

If the deal goes ahead, Facebook users will be able to share MySpace music and video footage using the Facebook Connect platform.

Microsoft today unveiled a new update for its Xbox 360 video game system that will bring Sky TV to UK subscribers to its paid-for Xbox Live service.

Google Social Search will serve content in search results taken from social networks including Twitter, YouTube and Blogger when users are logged into their iGoogle profile.

People are afraid of tax accountants, iPods, chiropractors, non-profits, insurance brokers and fancy hotels. They're afraid of anything with too many choices, too many opportunities to look foolish or to waste time or money.

"There were profitable weeks for the London Lite since the closure of the London Paper, but taking everything under consideration they can't see their way forward to long-term profitability," a source said.

"Last week Trinity Mirror, the company that owns the Birmingham Post, announced 41 journalists in the Midlands are to lose their jobs by the end of the year. I am offering to leave as part of the cull.
Why?
I want to leave so I can become a writer who is as competent in the digital arena as I currently am in print."