[Imc-oxford] M For Media Malarkey - the SchNEWS Alternative Media Gathering 2007

[SchNEWS]

To all Indymedia Collectives

I emailed imc-uk-contact at lists.indymedia.org three weeks ago asking for 
participation in our media gathering, inviting all Indymedia people 
around the country to be involved, but there wasn't a single response. 
It's left me assuming that the email didn't reach people because at 
least one group would have replied surely - even if to tell us to f*ck off!

So - could this email please be forwarded to all the regional groups...

Cheers
Jo

Call out to anyone involved in the regional Indymedia sites around the 
country - fancy a weekend in Brighton in May?

It goes without saying that there should be a good Indymedia 
representation at the event - including of course the regional groups. 
At the moment we have Ben coming to talk about mobile Indymedia - eg 
setting up for the G8 or the Climate Camp, but if you read the blurb 
below you'll see the types of topics we will focus on in the gathering, 
which are relevant to all alternative media - print/vid/web - and it 
would be good if people with Indymedia experience were there to 
contribute. I realise that Indymedia has its own gatherings, but this 
has a different purpose. At least a few Indy people coming here would be 
great...


      M For Media Malarkey
      - the SchNEWS Alternative Media Gathering 2007

*May 11-13th 2007
Cowley Club, 12 London Rd, Brighton, BN1 4JA*

You are invited to SchNEWS' first multi-media-activist gathering. As 
well as a coming together of those already involved in web, video, 
print, photography, and radio in alternative/independent media – as well 
as activists who use this media - this event will also be for new people 
wanting to get involved. Starting on Friday evening and going through to 
Sunday evening, there will be a range of discussions, hands-on practical 
workshops in the various media, as well as stalls and screenings 
throughout the weekend to showcase what's currently being produced.

After discussions amongst SchNEWS, as well as others' imput, about what 
aspects of independent media should be highlighted during the gathering, 
several key points have emerged:

    * *Promoting campaigns and mobilising communities: *evaluating and
      improving the way independent media helps the campaigns and
      actions it covers, as well as how campaigns use various media
      themselves – with speakers from campaigns talking about their
      experiences, and those working in alternative media.
    * *Improving Skills:* Acknowledging that many people in alternative
      media come from 'activist' backgrounds, and are often getting by
      with very little 'training'. For video activists it may be about
      the battles with technology to produce and distribute video, for
      writers it may mean they have limited research or 'journalistic'
      skills, and those creating leaflets/flyers/publications would
      often benefit with more knowledge about design etc. There will be
      workshops and discussions to help improve skills in these and
      other relevant areas.

The gathering will accommodate for the fact that while both these 
topics, and many others, are common to all media, and many people work 
in several media - there is also areas specific to each - so therefore 
some of the key sessions will start with the whole group together, then 
split off into the various types to discuss aspects in more detail.

As well as this there will be talks from those involved in Pirate Radio, 
mobile Indymedia set-ups for such events as the G8 protest in Scotland, 
and more to be confirmed.

While some speakers are confirmed, if you have relevant experience in 
these areas and would like to be involved, please contact SchNEWS now.

Likewise if you want to come along, and need accommodation, contact 
SchNEWS - we need to know numbers as soon as, so please give us fair 
notice.

The event will be free/donation, and vegan food will be available during 
the weekend in the Cowley Club.

email schnews at brighton.co.uk <mailto:schnews at brighton.co.uk> tel 01273 
685 913