The World Sikh Organization (WS0) is after the asses of the CBC, reporter Terry Milewski and politician Ujjal Dosanjh for $110 million.

The suit is over a documentary called Samosa Politics, broadcast on June 28,

Read the Toronto Star story for details, but the CBC says it stands by the yarn.

Journalism That Matters: The D.C. Sessions

THE THEME

"What will journalism be like when only the journalism is left?"

Journalism is at a crossroads. What will support its basic values, while adapting its practice to new economic, social and technological realities? Yahoo and major news organizations are aligning for the efficent sale of advertising. Across the nation, dozens of citizens are experimenting with new forms of local, web-based journalism and community building -- and contemplating the potential, gradual, end of newsprint.

THE NEXT NEWSROOM PROTOTYPE

Answering that question, and setting the stage for the launching of at least one prototype of "The Next Newsroom" is the challenge of "Journalism That Matters: The DC Sessions."

Our goal is to facilitate critical discussion on the future and sustainability of journalism. Our unique approach is to first assemble editors, publishers, writers, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, public advocates, independent and "citizen" journalists for fast, focused discussion. We'll then define the ownership, management, location and sustainability of a "next newsroom" prototype in at least one U.S. community, to launch in early- to mid-2008.

We're going to answer this call:

"Pick an ideal location, and start a news organization from scratch, using the best-available technology and ideas, and without the obligations or burdens of legacy processes or infrastructure. Where will it be, what will it look like, who will own it, and how will it run."

THE FRAMES

We're approaching this via three "frames":

New economic models

Training and education

The pro-am relationship

As a nation, we have a difficult challenge ahead -- how to sustain independent, watchdog journalism. It's needed more than ever to help citizens understand the growing influence of government and corporations on our civil society. It's not clear that a Wall Street-driven, investor-owned approach is still the best.

It's worth exploring -- and moving -- some alternatives.