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Media Democracy Day Program Details
Media Democracy Day Program Details
Global media makers, leading scholars, policy reformers, local publishers, film festivals, and
media artists lead the charge for diversity at this year’s event
VANCOUVER, B.C., September 13, 2010- Following the exciting confirmation of Tony
Burman of Al Jazeera English as opening keynote speaker, the School of Communication at
Simon Fraser University, OpenMedia.ca, and the Vancouver Public Library are thrilled to
announce full program details for Media Democracy Day Vancouver 2010.
Tyler Morgenstern, head coordinator of Media Democracy Day says, “while sticking to our
policy reform roots, this year we also want to draw attention to people who are making change at
street level; the indie, alternative, community-based media artists and activists that are telling
diverse, interesting stories.”
As previously announced, Tony Burman, 35-year veteran of the CBC and current senior
executive of Al Jazeera English will open the day with a keynote address. Panel discussions for
the day include assessing the role of alternative media in environmental communication in an age
of corporate greenwash; the rise of “Fox News North” and what it means for Canadian
broadcasting; the portrayal of protest and negotiation at global marquee events like the G20
summit; representations of sexual and gendered violence in media; and a close look at the
shifting landscape of Canadian copyright. The Pacific Cinémathèque is also hosting a small
production workshop that will teach attendants how to utilize documentary and journalistic
techniques to activate the resistant spirit of our culture.
These discussions will be led by top media scholars such as David Skinner, Donald Gutstein, and
Mary Lynn Young; progressive publishers and managers such as Tony Burman of Al Jazeera
English and David Beers of The Tyee; representatives of the activist community such as Gwen
Barlee of the Western Canadian Wilderness Committee and Marsha Newbury from Women in
View; and local media influencers and artists such as Amber Dawn of Out on Screen, and
filmmaker Hart Snider.
Throughout the day, the public is also welcome to explore our Media Democracy Fair, a trade
show-style exhibition of the local media landscape. Exhibitors at this year’s fair include Out on
Screen, Access to Media Education Society, Rabble.ca, Amnesty International, The Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives, the BC Civil Liberties Association, the Vancouver Observer,
Hello Cool World, Pull Focus Non-Profit Film School, and many more.
Media Democracy Day takes place November 6th from 12 PM-5 PM, at the Vancouver Public
Library, Central Library. The event is free and open to the public, but seating for panel, keynote,
and workshop sessions is limited. To pre-register your attendance, visit
http://mddvancouver.eventbrite.com. Pre-registration helps the MDD team estimate attendance
and print the proper number of program booklets and other on-site materials.
About OpenMedia.ca:
OpenMedia.ca is a national, non-partisan, non-profit public engagement organization working to
advance and support an open and innovative communications system in Canada. Our primary
goal is to increase public awareness and informed participation in Canadian media, cultural,
information, and telecommunication policy formation. More at: http://openmedia.ca
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