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The Paley Center for Media Announces Lineup for Next Big Thing in Open Government Event on Nov. 6 in New York

Friday, October 24, 2014

NEW YORK, NY October 24, 2014—The Next Big Thing returns to The Paley Center for Media on Nov. 6 to explore the role of media and technology in advancing open government in the digital age. The event wraps up a series of initiatives, supported by $250,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, aimed at encouraging more government transparency and addressing challenges to privacy, censorship, and other issues.
 
The Next Big Thing in Open Government will bring together senior media and business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, public officials, journalists, and influential advocates of open government. The half-day program will provide a forum for in-depth conversations and include a Q&A with technologists and leaders who use media and technology to promote economic growth, spur innovation, and engage citizens in our democracy.
 
The event will also include a pitch session in which innovators and entrepreneurs will present new ventures and initiatives that are allowing greater access to information and deeper civic engagement. Following this session, all participants will join a roundtable luncheon discussion of their choice.

The following experts are scheduled to participate on Nov. 6:
 
·         Jennifer Pahlka, Founder and Executive Director of Code for America and
former Deputy CTO in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
·         Andrew Hoppin, CEO, NuCivic and former CIO of the New York State Senate
·         Christopher Gates, President, Sunlight Foundation  
·         Kathy Conrad, Associate Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies
·         John Bracken, Vice President, Media Innovation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
·         Waldo Jaquith, Director, US Open Data Institute
·         Matt Hampel, Founder, LocalData
·         Hillary Hartley, Cofounder and Lead Designer at 18F, a start-up within GSA working to partner with agencies across the federal government to deliver services using methodologies pioneered by private-sector technology startups.

The Next Big Thing in Open Government is the last in a series of public forums supported by the Knight Foundation aimed at contributing high-quality conversations and ideas to the national debate around state surveillance and freedom of expression. Previous events focused on tackling challenges journalists face in reporting national security issues; promoting innovative ideas and resources that encourage government transparency and civic engagement; and fostering debate between media leaders and policy experts on the balance between security and press freedom.
 
The center also hosted a Rapid Response Summit, designed to engage journalists and the community in public discussions aimed to encourage quick responses to major news in the area of Internet freedom and surveillance. Additionally, the Paley Center collaborated with the Knight-funded public media accelerator Matter.vc to showcase its current group of start-ups in front of New York media executives and Silicon Valley investors.
 
The event begins at 8:30 am. Admission is free for members of the Paley Center's Media Council, and invited guests. To request an invitation, email mediacouncil@paleycenter.org; for press requests, email bforgione@paleycenter.org.

This event will live stream on FORA.tv HERE. For more event information, visit paleycenter.org and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PaleyNext.  


 

About The Paley Center for Media:
The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit www.paleycenter.org.

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About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged.  KnightFoundation.org