SPECIAL OFFER FOR SPJ MEMBERS: Attend "Democracy & Independence" June 28-July 1 for $320 -- a 30% savings if registering before May 29 (just type "SPJ member" in the "other information" box when registering online.

A-CONFERENCE
SPECIAL OFFER FOR SPJ MEMBERS: Attend "Democracy & Independence" June 28-July 1 for $320 -- a 30% savings if registering before May 29 (just type "SPJ member" in the "other information" box when registering online.
By MGP Staff
May 12, 2005, 09:14

WHAT'S HAPPENING? -- Download the summit schedule
WHO'S COMING? -- Check the wiki
LATEST NEWS -- NOLA's Donley, Thomas among conveners

Are you concerned about the future of journalism and the press -- America's vital Fourth Estate?

Then break out of the everyday routine. Mix with visionaries in multimedia technology, politics, local online citizen journalism and media education. Share ideas about what will sustain watchdog journalism. Talk to practitioners of citizen filmmaking and local online citizen journalism.

Start your July 4 holiday week by joining Jon Donley, Marty Baron, Helen Thomas, Lee Rainey, Rob Williams, Ellen Hume, Ed Fouhy, Teresa Hanafin, Tom Stites, Chuck Lewis, Richard Viguerie and many other visionaries at the first summit and conference of The Media Giraffe Project: "Democracy and Independence: Sharing News and Information in a Connected World," June 28-July 1, 2006 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

A few days before U.S. Independence Day (July 4) and the 230th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, there will be ice cream, cake and a lot of smart, committed people eager to share information and try to make a difference. We have a simple purpose -- share ideas that will make journalism and democracy work better.

(Who else is coming? Check our up-to-date wiki.)

If you accept our invitation, you.ll be able to:

-- Learn from the pioneers of citizen journalism, and find out how they are building community on the web and in print.

-- Join and talk to some of the most-read and most-insightful political bloggers about what will happen in November, 2006, and in 2008.

-- Meet some of the teachers and kids who are making civic engagement in the classroom cool -- and multimedia.

-- Understand the possibilities for political and group participation . and journalism -- opened by cutting-(and bleeding)-edge Internet information technology.

Come for three days, or two. And don't plan on just listening. At the Thurs., June 29 roundtable summit, join a series of small-group discussions with skilled leaders seeking fresh ideas and solutions from ever participant.

Who else is attending? Check the wiki-list -- and add your name!

Share conversation and ideas in our "Media Cafe". Organize a FREE post-conference "MeetUp" with your group or friends. And at the end of the formal program, take a summer afternoon to raft, hike, bike, view museums of cartoons, basketball, colonial America . . . attend a broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion. . . . shop . . . or just embark on a long Independence Day weekend in rural New England.

Most important, leave Amherst with a new sense of optimism and purpose about the future of journalism, media. . . having shared ideas and plans with kids and veterans, geeks and techno-peasants . . . all of whom have one purpose in mind . . . fostering participatory democracy and community.

This is not a one-industry conference. We want to open conversations about the future of governing and community which cross industries, cross cultures, cross politics and cross ages. And we need your help to do it. This exploration is taking place on a great university campus . with dozens of volunteers helping in a non-partisan, non-profit effort.

Register through May 28 for $320 ($195 for Fri/Sat only) and save at least 30% off the full-event conference price of $495.00. For your discount, just type "SPJ member" in the "other information" box when registering online.

Choose hotel lodging or stay in a university dorm room -- fresh sheets and wired Internet-- for only $28.00 a night. Still short on time or money? Choose our Friday-Saturday only track and register today for only $225. Worried about travel costs? Competitive fares are available to Hartford-Springfield's Bradley International Airport, just over an hour from campus.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE NOW or email us.

Thanks!

-- Bill Densmore, Norm Sims, Mary Mazzeo, Emily Moses and many collaborators on The Media Giraffe Project.

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