Public opinion polls show distrust of politics and politicians runs deep this election year. Especially in congressional races, as witnessed by the special and primary elections held thus far.

People believe that most politicians are in the game for themselves, that the special interests control the system and that those in power don't really care about average citizens.

There's evidence of this disaffection across the country despite the clamorous efforts of old and new ideological groups. Fewer and fewer people are voting even though it is easier and easier to register to vote.

David Cuillier is an evangelist for open government. This summer he's driving the country in a rented Chevy Impala, stopping in newsrooms and conference rooms in nearly three dozen states to preach to journalists about our responsibility to demand transparency and access.

Cuillier, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Arizona, leads the Society of Professional Journalist's Freedom of Information Committee. I caught his tour Tuesday night in Montgomery, Ala.

You’re producing an investigative reporting package to rival the best Watergate tomes.
The legwork is finished and the writing, no doubt, will draw the attention of the Pulitzer committee.
Now, how do you get readers to care? To read?

Poynter’s Al Tompkins turns to psychology for ideas. Remember what your journalism school adviser said about every course being valuable to a journalist somewhere along the career path? Makes you a little sorry you used that behavioral science book to prop open the dorm window.

Robb Montgomery is a great resource for those of us learning video at novice level or polishing our skills.
Click here for Robb's five tips on making better video reports.
More at his Web site on Multimedia Training and Visual Journalism.

Can you know too much when it comes to ways to use the Internet to get news to readers? Nah.
So click here - Webb Media - for the 10 Tech Trends Amy Webb shared at APME in St. Louis last fall.