#IMA09: Public Broadcasting Atlanta: Lens on Atlanta

NOTE: this is really impressive. The platform has some elements reminiscent of Ning with additional functionality and ease-of-use.

LENS on Atlanta
Public Broadcasting Atlanta
Milton Clipper, Wayne Sharp and PBA team

the challenge
- how do we evolve as our audience is involving?
- how do we promote discourse and interconnectedness in out increasingly sprawling metro?
- how do we re-connect with our original democratic process?
- how do we use PBA to reconnect the city?

PBA engaged IBM to create a web site and a concept video to demonstrate the potential of LENS

The Lens on Atlanta (in alpha) site focuses on community discussion, groups based on subject and location, blogs, wikis
Fuzebox built the web site platform
LENS will be packaged as an open source package for other stations to use

LENS is working to engage the community to guide the conversation and act as bloggers – reaching out to existing bloggers, using tools and techniques to manage the tone of the conversation. profanity filter, etc., prominent messaging about the rules of engagement, plus user moderation.

Implementing a content strategy that, at least at first, avoids controversial content. PBA won’t introduce this content, but others may do so, and the site will use tools where necessary

PBA will use its brand to establish an independent platform, partner with diverse organizations who will join in the discussion on the site and provide content and answers, host physical gatherings

Sustainability:
- The question is not how do we justify a new business venture, but how can we justify business as usual when everything around us is changing?
Full business plan in place, looking to different funders and donors