The digital revolution hasn’t just impacted music creation, access and distribution — it’s also shaken up the world of reporting, criticism and publicity. This year alone has seen the shuttering of several music magazines, and newspapers continue to cut back on entertainment coverage. Online outlets are proliferating, but in terms of quality and influence, they’re hardly created equal. How can today’s artists win the attention of increasingly distracted observers? Who will employ critics and reporters amid cutbacks and closures? How is niche music coverage faring in the age of American Idol? What’s the value of music writing when listeners have instantaneous access to content? Here, prominent music critics and reporters will examine these questions and more.

Maura Johnston Editor, Idolator
Greg Kot Critic, Chicago Tribune; Host, Sound Opinions, NPR
David Malitz Staff Writer, Washington Post
Howard Mandel President, Jazz Journalists Association
Tom Moon Music Critic, NPR; Author, 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die
Fiona Morgan Journalist, the Independent (moderator)
Scott Plagenhoef Editor-in-Chief, Pitchfork
Casey Rae-Hunter Communications Director, Future of Music Coalition (moderator)
Mike Riggs City Lights Editor, Washington City Paper
Todd C. Roberts Co-founder, The Daily Swarm; Artist Manager/Consultant, Truant Media
Raymond Leon Roker Co-founder, URB/URB.com; President, NativeSon Media, Inc.
Molly Sheridan Managing Editor, NewMusicBox.org, Director, CounterstreamRadio.org
Eliot Van Buskirk Staff Writer, Wired.com