Activism
This track focuses on media as a tool for activism. Panels will consider the role of media in social movements, the promises and dangers that come with new technologies, the importance of media policy, the role of artist activists and a look forward and back at the state of media activism. Track chair is Inja Coates, Media Tank, Executive Director
This track will take on subjects/topics of interest to:
Media activists, policy wonks, media arts center staff, community technology center staff, journalists, artists, open source advocates & users, youth media practioners, educators & funders.
Check back later for complete list of speakers.
Panel Previews
FREEDOM - Thursday, September 29
Media for Social Justice
Today's media reform movement is centered largely on structural reforms, yet previous battles that energized this movement focused more on issues of content and representation as part of the struggle for liberation in communities of color and other marginalized communities. This session looks at how media tools are being used in current movements for social justice, and the ways groups are defining a Media Justice framework that views communication as a fundamental human right.
10:30 am - noon
Panelists:
Amalia Anderson, Fourth World Rising
Dee Davis, Center for Rural Strategies
Amy Lesser, CTCNet
Tammy Ko Robinson, Video Machete
Moderator: Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Third World Majority
Future of the Internet: Brave New Frontier or Brave New World?
The Internet has been called the most democratic medium ever with its wide-open format that allows anyone with a computer to publish nearly anything they want. How will new broadband and IP technologies change the way we think of and use the internet? How will ever-increasing mobility change the way we relate to technology and each other? Will these advances expand our freedom to create and communicate or will it be hampered by private interests?
4:00- 5:30 pm
Panelists:
Kenyatta Cheese, EyeBeam Atelier
Joann Hovis, Columbia Technology Consultants
Theeba Soundararajan, Third World Majority
Moderator: Fred Johnson, UMass Boston
CREATIVITY - Friday, September 30
Growing Public: Preserving and Expanding Community Media Access and Technology
This session will look at the importance of protecting public media spaces that were won by previous generations of activists as well as fighting for space in the new digital technology realm, especially in light of recent battles around public broadcasting and municipal broadband. IT experts, community tech advocates and practitioners, and media producers and activists share their thoughts about how a local community's media and technology needs are best met and will present case studies of past and current victories, strategies, and threats.
10:30- noon
Panelists:
Tony Riddle, Alliance for Community Media
Ben Scott, Free Press
Pete Tridish, Prometheus Radio Project
Tan Vu, People's Emergency Center
Moderator: Antuwan Wallace, Media Justice Fund
Generating the Next Generation (of Media Activists)
Youth leaders have been developed through media literacy, fighting back against commercial targeting, student organizing and other initiatives. Learn from youth media activists how to involve young people to carry on and build on the victories and lessons won by those who came before them.
1:30 - 3:00 pm
Panelists:
Dee Dee Halleck, Deep Dish TV
Hye Jung Park, Manhattan Neighborhood Network
Andrea Quijada, New Mexico Media Literacy Project
Youth representative, Youth Media Council
Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Third World Majority
Moderator: Anna Lefer, OSI Youth Initiatives
RISK - Saturday, October 1
Media Policy for All
This session will introduce the basics of how media policy is made through legislation, regulation, the courts and makes the case why media artists and the public should care about it. It will also cover the major policy battles that are underway or upcoming such as rewrites of the Telecom Act and national media ownership laws, and issues related to the transition to digital media. Hear from dynamic leaders who will discuss how these issues will affect our ability as consumers, citizens, artists and activists to create, access and distribute media on our own terms.
10:30 - noon
Panelists:
Mark Cooper, Consumer Federation
Celia Viggo Wexler, Common Cause
Malkia Cyril, Youth Media Council
Martha Wallner
Moderator: Aliza Dichter, Center for International Media Action
Media Artists/Activists: Inspired Uses of the Medium and the Message
David vs. Goliath challenges of corporate power are an integral part of today's struggle for social change, and have pushed activists to be more imaginative in their efforts to get their message out to the public. The rise of both digital technology access and frustration with the mainstream media have prompted many activists to take matters into their own hands, employing media tools and savvy to advance their goals. Hear some of the most creative ways media is being used by artist/activists in their fights for justice -- including the one for media justice -- whether it's working mainstream media strategies or developing oppositional and alternative forums.
1:30 - 3:00 pm
Panelists:
Michael Eisenmenger, Manhattan Neighborhood Network
Matty Hart
Carrie McLaren, Stayfree Magazine
Alex Rivera
Cesar Sanchez, Video Machete
Moderator: Inja Coates, Media Tank
Track Chair Bio
Inja Coates
Media Tank, Executive Director
Inja Coates is the co-founder and director of Media
Tank, a media education organization based in Philadelphia. She was a video
maker and activist who became involved with the campaign for public access television
in Philadelphia. Since 1997, she has helped build and serves on the planning
board of the Philadelphia Community Access Coalition (PCAC), a diverse coalition
of 80+ groups working on cable access issues. She was co-founder of the Independent
Media Center of Philadelphia (IMC), which was set up to provide the public with
alternative coverage of the 2000 Republican Convention. She also worked with
Prometheus Radio Project doing outreach about Low Power FM, and has over 15
years experience working with community groups and non-profits. Through her
work with Media Tank, she has worked to build grassroots involvement in media
policy, developed and taught media literacy programs, appeared on numerous TV
and radio programs, and presented at numerous conferences and forums.
Contact Inja Coates.
