It's that time of the year again. Progressives from around the country are gathering this week in Pittsburgh, PA for the annual Netroots Nation conference. Scratching your head? Here's a bit of information about the conference:

Netroots Nation amplifies progressive voices by providing an online and in-person campus for exchanging ideas and learning how to be more effective in using technology to influence the public debate. Through our annual convention and a series of regional salons held throughout the year, we strengthen our community, inspire action and serve as an incubator for ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately affect change in the public sphere.

The fourth annual gathering of the Netroots (formerly known as the YearlyKos Convention) will be held August 13–16 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Netroots Nation 2009 will include panels led by national and international experts; a progressive film screening series; practical training sessions and workshops; and the most concentrated gathering of progressive bloggers to date.

Visit Our Booth

We'll be there in full force. If you plan on attending be sure to stop by our booth to meet some Media Matters staff and pick up a special Fox News stress ball, “Rush Limbaugh Doesn't Speak For Me” bumper sticker or a limited edition Media Matters 5th anniversary t-shirts.

Join in the Discussion

Media Matters staff will be participating in two great panel discussions at Netroots Nation. We'd love to see you there:

Democracy without Newspapers
Thursday, August 13, 4:30-5:45pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Room 304/305

Is the death of newspapers a threat to democracy? Or is the loss of major news outlets actually the best thing that ever happened to the democratic process? From blogging networks to investigative journalism funders, an increase in new models for news seems to bode well for bottom up action and civic engagement. In this panel we will discuss and create new ideas for how participatory online media can invigorate both journalism and the political process.

Moderated By: NYC.is Founder Susannah Vila
Panelists Include: PressThink.org's Jay Rosen, MediaRepublic.org's Persephone Miel, The Nation's Ari Melber, BlackPerspective.net's Yobachi Boswell, Media Matters' Karl Frisch and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Michael A. Fuoco.

Root of Right Wing Media's Hatred of President Obama
Thursday, August 13, 4:30-5:45pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Room 303

The recent spat of right wing spurred disruptions during town halls have featured unhinged anger over issues such as Obama's birth certificate and his plans for health care reform. It is all part of a concerted, coordinated effort to derail the Obama presidency in its first year – the same exact tactic that was used by conservatives to undermine the Clinton Presidency starting in 1993. The media must expose the true motivations, origins, and coordination of the birther and teabagger movements, along with similar extreme right-wing political groups, whose activism has been relentlessly promoted and encouraged by the conservative echo chamber.

Moderated By: Media Matters Action Network's Ari Rabin-Havt
Panelists Include: NDN's Simon Rosenberg, ColorOfChange.org's James Rucker and America's Voice's Paco Fabian.

Follow the Fun (Win Prizes)

Even if you won't be attending you can follow the fun on Twitter. Use the hashtag #NN09 to follow everyone tweeting from Netroots Nation. You can also follow me @KarlFrisch and Media Matters @mmfa for the latest from Pittsburgh and your chance to win special prizers (if you're at the conference)!

Other Fun in Pittsburgh

If you'll be attending and are looking for other great things to do (places to eat) be sure to check out this great PDF.