Two new tools "could potentially reshape how content is distributed and monetized on the web," Forbes reports. Scribd Store, from the company Scribd, uses a secure widget to help publishers control who is redistributing their content and keep bloggers and others from posting the raw text of an article. Meanwhile, the start-up Attributor asks publishers to upload all their content into the company's servers, which then search the web for the same strings of words.

Continue ReadingTwo Tech Firms Build Tools to Protect Content from Digital Thieves

A story in the Vancouver alt-weekly that exposed pharmaceutical companies' marketing tactics to persuade physicians to prescribe drugs has been named the top magazine article of the year by the Canadian Association of Journalists. Alex Roslin's story, "Pill Pushers," is also a finalist in the National Magazine Awards, along with several other pieces from the Straight. The alt-weekly has also been nominated for five Western Magazine Awards.

Continue ReadingGeorgia Straight Honored with National Journalism Award

Appearing on a local radio show this week, Los Angeles Police Department chief Bill Bratton went after a recent Weekly cover story that questioned his department's use of crime statistics -- especially Bratton's assurances that crime levels are on par with L.A.'s in 1956. As the chief and radio host segued out of a discussion on drug laws, Bratton cracked, "I think they were smoking a little weed when they wrote that article." He claimed the article was part of a vendetta the Weekly has against Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and added that he stood by the department's numbers. "It's kind of voodoo reporting," he said of the story.

Continue ReadingPolice Chief Calls L.A. Weekly Story ‘Voodoo Reporting’

The Denver alt-weekly debuted a new look this week, with a glossy cover and staples. Westword editor Patricia Calhoun tells Face the State that the new format pushes the paper's deadline back a day because it takes more production time, and that it costs a little more. But that added cost gets offset by the higher rates the paper can charge to run ads on the glossy stock. "It all evens out pretty quickly," Calhoun says.

Continue ReadingWestword Gets Minor Facelift

Between them, Phoenix New Times and the Tucson Weekly won 26 excellence in journalism awards in the Arizona Press Club's annual contest. New Times took home 19 awards, including first-place wins for Arts Writing or Criticism; Blogging; Children, Families and Seniors Issues Reporting; Features Column Writing; Growth and Development Reporting; Public Safety Reporting; and Sports Enterprise Reporting. The Weekly won seven awards, including a first-place finish in the Film, Video and Television Writing or Criticism category.

Continue ReadingArizona Alt-Weeklies Win Big in State Press Contest