A panel discussion was held on independent media voices. Dennis Loy Johnson, the moderator, also talked about issues such as how the book Revolt on Goose Island (Melville House, 2009) evolved from a lack of news coverage of the incident by mainstream media. Topics included the Balkinization of the media, the proliferation of opinions rather than journalism, manifestations of establishment media such as embedded journalists, and the importance of Internet neutrality. The panelists also responded to questions from members of the audience.

Richard Nash, former independent publisher, is developing a system for readers to find writers online.

Amy Goodman, executive producer and host of Pacifica Radio's "Democracy Now!," is the author of The Exception to the Rulers and Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times. Ms. Goodman is also a columnist for Truthdig.

Pamela Newkirk, an associate journalism professor at New York University and the director of an urban journalism workshop, is the author of Within the Veil: Black Journalists, White Media. She is also the editor of Letters from Black America and A Love No Less.

"Independent Media Voices" was a 4:00 p.m. panel of the 2009 Brooklyn Book Festival, held in the Borough Hall Community Room.