Insights and recommendations from the May 10, 2005 Austin Community Meeting on Media, Technology and Social Justice
Sponsored by the Media Justice Fund of the Funding Exchange, organized by a local planning committee, and hosted by ALLGO.
BACKGROUND
On May 10, 2005, twenty-one social justice organizers, community media and technology advocates came together to talk about the value of media and technology infrastructure for social change, and what's needed. Nearly all were working in Austin, Texas, with one participant from Houston and two from San Antonio.
The meeting participants included community journalists and media trainers, organizers who work with youth, seniors, disabled, queer, Latino/a, African-American, Native and other communities, media/technology policy activists and consumer advocates, university researchers and educators, radio pirates and "hacktivists," parents, artists, writers, public access TV and community technology providers, and representatives from cultural arts centers, environmental justice groups, international projects and the City of Austin—with many people holding more than one role. (See attached bios.)
This was an opportunity to explore strategies and opportunities to build stronger connections among these communities. Participants were eager to engage conversations and tensions that emerged previously in other spaces: How can we counter trends of commercialism, privatization, decreasing public services and ongoing inequality? What would it take to get communities involved in media and community technology issues? Where are the opportunities for social justice
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This report seeks to share some of the discussion from that day and to lift out some of the wisdom and lessons that emerged. The bios of participants, information about the meeting planners and the meeting agenda are attached at the end for more information.
