-
Consider and recommend answers to
changes to the financing and practice of journalism
-
Bridge the gap between new and traditional
media
-
Show and consider the impact of new media technologies on
journalism and the "public sphere"
-
Spotlight emerging business models
-
Create new networks of media innovators which bridge traditional
carriers among journalism, education, politics and
technology
-
Constituencies from mainstream and alternative media rarely meet
together. Yet new technologies are currently upending and
interweaving the practice of journalism, politics and teaching.
Journalists see an erosion of traditional revenue sources which supported
-- and were supported by -- their work. It's not clear what
will sustain traditional "watchdog" journalism, or how it will co-exist,
or merge, with so-called "citizen journalism." There's an atmosphere of
anticipation and intense experimentation.
"Democracy and
Independence" -- the first Media Giraffe Project summit and conference --
is the crossover meeting place for leading thinkers on the impact of
Internet technology on journalism, media, education and politics --
and the place to celebrate "above-the-crowd" innovation. Major sponsors besides
the University of Massachusetts include Omidyar Network, The Boston
Globe,
MassLive/The [Springfield] Republican and the New England Press
Association.
To
accommodate attendees from citizen journalism, media, politics, education
and technology, a five-track
event is scheduled, starting with a limited-enrollment roundtable
summit, followed by a four-track conference.
Click HERE
for program, lodging and travel details.
Click HERE for online
registration.
View printable program schedule:
(PDF)
Individuals working in politics, at large media,
cutting-edge information technology organizations, citizen-powered
local-news web services, or in teaching and academia share a
goal of fostering participatory democracy and community. "Democracy and
Independence: Sharing of News in a Connected World" will bring them
together to share what's working now and what's coming
soon.
This
first gathering of The Media Giraffe Project will observe changes in the
structure of the U.S. media industry, the impact of the Internet on its
financing, including copyright, the new relationships among creators and
consumers of news, and how democracy is affected.
The
event will be a chance to meet and learn from profiled Media Giraffe
pioneers. "Media Giraffe Institute: Lessons from the Frontlines" will
present case-studies of emerging local web-based news and community
efforts in a "how-to" format designed to teach citizens and mainstream
journalists field-tested approaches for two-way, participatory
journalism.
There will be panels, discussions, demonstrations and
workshops on specific projects underway nationwide (many profiled at:
http://www.mediagiraffe.org/profiles/) which use media in innovative, sustainable ways to foster
participatory democracy and community.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The conference is designed for:
-
traditional media strategists, editors and
practitioners
-
Elected officials, political and public-policy
strategists
-
info-tech pioneers and entrepreneurs
-
operators of local-news websites and blogs
-
podcasters and vloggers dealing with news, political and
public-policy issues.
-
academic researchers and students
-
citizens who want "how-to" knowledge about participatory
media
-
anyone interested in new innovations in web, print, film and audio
news creation, delivery and financing.
POST-CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITIES:
The event kicks off the Independence Day weekend, and we plan to
package a variety of opportunities for post-conference touring of New
England for attendees who wish to linger through July 4. The Five Colleges
area of Massachusetts offers a remarkable combination of sophisticated,
urban amenities amid rural beauty and is less than two hours from Boston. Access is via the Bradley International Airport
(BDL), Providence or Boston.
Media Giraffe Project
108 Bartlett Hall
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst MA 01003
413-577-4370
mediagiraffe (at) journ.umass.edu
This page is available at: www.mediagiraffe.org/citizen/
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