Today and tomorrow, Next American City will be hosting a series of panel discussions on “Open Cities: New Media’s Role in Shaping Urban Policy.”

EMBARQ Information & Innovation Director Rhys Thom will be presenting on how blogs like thecityfix.com inform and inspire the public to create change in their urban communities.

From NAC:

Urban advocacy blogs have come to challenge online newspapers and magazines’ objectivity and reporting style. What are the most effective ways of informing the public and effecting change? Panelists will discuss how their media models serve the public.

Bill Buzenberg, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity, will be moderating the panel, titled “Informing the Public.” Other panelists include Sewell Chan from The New York Times, Aaron Naparstek from Streetsblog, and Brian Boyle from Issue Media Group.

What do you think? “…What are the most effective ways of informing the public and effecting change?” Share your comments below.