Session 4

4:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m

Africa Not in the News: what mainstream and alternative media are missing in their
coverage of the continent

Lisa Vives, Global Information Network; Sowore Omoyele, African Magazine; M'ampela Mpela; Dame Babou, Sud Communications/Senegal

We can do better building links to activist groups on the continent working for social change. Where and how can we obtain this critical information? Hear journalists and activists from Africa discuss the topic.

Celebrating Community and Public Access Television: The Fight Ahead

Betty Yu, moderator, Save Public Access TV Campaign; Michael Eisenmenger; George Stoney; Richard Turner, Montgomery Community Television

In the face of corporate media consolidation, it is more important than ever to promote and defend forums for non-commercial media in the public interest that are not dictated by corporate or government interests. Public Access TV provides local communities with media making resources to help them build and promote social change, provide local perspectives in areas of the public interest, foster local artistic and cultural expressions, and to contribute to a media literate society. The workshop panelists will discuss current Congressional legislation that could dismantle Public, Educational, & Governmental (PEG) Access TV across the nation and talk about the local grassroots organizing efforts to defeat these bills. This workshop intends to activate and engage participants to join the long-term fight to ensure the future of public communication infrastructures, such as PEG Access TV.

Creative Politics: The Art of Freestyling

Spiritchild and Jessica Habie, Movement in Motion

This workshop will explore the origins of hip hop (black) music from Africa (describing the role of a griot and his/her responsibilities to the community) to modern day emceeing (looking at hip hop and its role in the struggle for freedom, justice and peace). We will engage the participants with exercises of vocal warm ups, “collective freestyling” (in which all of the participants whether familiar with hip hop or not can easily gravitate and contribute to the overall workshop) and an analysis of the content and image portrayed by hip hop music. A few guiding questions will be posed throughout the session: What is hip hop? What is freestyle? What are the elements of hip hop music? Why is hip hop an important tool for the struggle? We will also take a look at current resources and hip hop organizations (their victories, goals, etc.) for further analysis.

DIY Media Literacy

Antonio Lopez; Carolina Kroon

This hands-on workshop is for anyone who has wanted to learn the fine art of media deconstruction. This workshop is designed for teachers, community activists, artists and concverned citizens interested in decoding media. Learn the practical tools of media literacy and the multitude of ways it can be used. From watching TV to producing documentaries, understanding how and why media are made is crucial to improving critical awareness. Become a more informed viewer, teacher and producer!

The Grassroots Artists MovEment (G.A.ME)’s International Artists Union (IAU): How Artists Can Benefit By Being Independent

Omowale Adewale, G.A.M.E; Cuttz, READNEX
An Artist Union inspired by the will of Hip-Hop is what best describes the International Artists Union of the Grassroots Artists MovEment (G.A.ME), Inc. G.A.ME's objective at this conference is to give artists assistance with developing an independent road to being content in the music and media industry and stronger by way of a powerful union. Learn how to put out a quality album and protect your investment in this industry.

Independent Media Making and Political Organizing: How Can We Do It?

Nijmie Dzurinko, Philadelphia Independent Media Center INCITE (Phila Chapter); Aaron Couch and Todd Wolfson, Philadelphia Independent Media Center; Chris Caruso, Media College, University of the Poor; Daniel Goldstein, Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn; Scott Turner, Fans For Fair Play, Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn

Philadelphia’s Independent Media Center has been experimenting in media activism techniques, merging the practice of grassroots independent media making with organizing around a political project. They have waged a successful campaign against one of the ultimate corporate behemoths, Wal-Mart. Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn has been fighting the largest development ever proposed in the Borough of Brooklyn. Through blogging, guerrilla advertising and other tactics, DDDB has waged an aggressive media campaign for over two years against the Nets Stadium project – which is threatening residents of Prospect Heights and Park Slope under the dubious claim of eminent domain. Providing complimentary views of media as an organizing tool, these organizations will discuss their different strategies for defending community and fighting big retail and development.

Podcasting 101

Miriam Fogelson, Lower East Side Girls Club; Kenyatta Cheese, Eyebeam

Join artists and activists from Lower East Side Girls Club and Eyebeam to look at innovative ways to get your message out using the internet. This workshop will show participants how to set up their own Podcasts, Videoblogs and more.

PS2 Wants You!

[limited space, youth-prioritized]
Dan O'Reilly-Rowe, Eddy Rivera, and Chrystian Rodriguez, Global Action Project

With the United States currently involved in numerous military conflicts around the world, recruitment of young people into the armed forces is becoming increasingly aggressive. This workshop examines the role of video games in the rapidly growing military entertainment complex.

Storm Watch: The Struggle for a Renewed Activist Media after Hurricane Katrina

Autumn Marie; Corlita Mahr; John Kim; Mark Weiner; Sangita Nayak; Seth Rader; Una Aya Osato

As August 2005 ended, our nation became witness to the devastating power of Hurricane Katrina and the man-made horrors of racist and classist governmental negligence. While the mainstream media initially provided unusually candid coverage, it was ultimately steered back on course by the editorial institutions of the corporate press. Grassroots organizations, individuals and media justice organizations have rushed in to not only fill the overwhelming gap, they have also begun to provide new theoretical frameworks and innovate new operational strategies and tactics merging relief work with critical grassroots media development. Hear from on-the-ground participants and see previews of the latest documentaries to come out of New Orleans. Discuss new strategies for a renewed activist media in the quest for justice in the Gulf Region and displaced evacuees.

Video Production with DykeTV

Anezka Sebek, DykeTV
Attention dykes, trans-people, queers, aggressives and allies: Are the portrayals of people in your community in the media a far cry from your reality? Want to produce positive accurate images? Are you an ally who wants to help? This workshop will give you background into the herstory behind Dyke TV and get you set up to begin producing your own work. This hands-on guide on how to produce a video segment will cover basic camera, lighting, sound, and set-up. Operating from a multi-racial, multi-generational and all inclusive queer perspective, we especially encourage those traditionally underrepresented in mainstream and LGBT programming to attend and become part of Dyke TV.