Maryland Media Collective

We are laying the foundation to the collective this Fall and Winter, A.K.A. don't worry about all your other committments if you're interested...there are enough of us getting things done in time for Spring...you're welcome to help out, but in the interest of the pressures of time, school, and all else, we say to keep it in mind for the Spring when the group operates in full effect!!!

Concerned about the lack of a free and independent media environment???

The Maryland Media Collective(MMC) is a student-based group to develop and sustain community through media literacy, reform, training and production, while maintaining the values of a collective.

• Media Literacy and Reform: To promote critical awareness of the media and civic engagement of such issues.

  Includes

  • The FCC
  • Infotainment
  • Public Access
  • Net Neutrality
  • Corporate Ownership and Consolidations
  • Lack of diversity and local voices
  • and more...

• Training and Production: To empower youth, especially university students, to be: 1)Trained in media production; 2) Produce their own media

• Collective Values

  • Voluntary and open membership
  • Democratic member control
  • Education, training, and information
  • Concern for community

  • based on International Co-operative Alliance's Rochdale Principles

• Voluntary and open membership

  • Democratic member control
  • Education, training, and information
  • Concern for community

    • based on International Co-operative Alliance's Rochdale Principles

  As well as

  • Honesty
  • Social Responsibility
  • Empathy
  • Tolerance/Patience

  • We recognize and cherish the diversity of experience, ideas and opinions that each person brings to the space and believe that our diversity makes us stronger.

  • To reinforce our commitment to idea of community, we will be working with the People's Media Center in Washington, DC.

  FINALLY “All content is free for reprint and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere, for non-commercial use, unless otherwise noted by author.”

WHY???

Media today is used to connect to millions across the globe. Art, publications, theater, photography, radio, television, music, the Internet, and more have the power to exchange information and influence society. The power behind media today is exciting, but should also be used responsibly.

An independent and free news media especially holds a serious duty to provide a broad world of perspectives. Accurate, in-depth reporting is oxygen for a healthy democracy.

However, there is a plethora of topics in need of attention from the general populace concerning the threats to such a media environment. We strive to foster media literacy amongst youth, and encourage political involvement in these issues.

However, apathy has held back the public's ability to speak truth to power. We must cultivate a community of youth that feel empowered to be influential citizens in the nation of humanity. Many understand the critical times we live in, but feel incapable of making any lasting change. This attitude must be translated into a potential for building self-esteem and community.

Finally, our position as students at the University of Maryland creates an outlet for opportunity regarding energy, creativity, diversity and the resources of a prestigious institution of higher learning. Moreover, our location within the DC metropolitan area provides a hotbed of political activism, especially within the realm of media. To facilitate this opportunity, the People's Media Center in Washington, DC will partner with us in the effort.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

• Margaret Mead

To make it all run smoothly, we have committees that are open to all, but at the minimum include the specified officers below:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary/Archivist
• SGA Liason
• Chairs of Committees
• Vice Chairs of Committees

CORE COMMITTEES (5)

1) Media Literacy and Reform Committee

• Training and Production Committees

  2)Audio: That Fresh Radio Piece, WMUC FM College Park 3)Writing/Art/Photography: The Catalyst 4)Video: To Be Determined 5)Internet: Portal for Collaboration

LOGISTICS COMMITTEES (3)

1) $$$ and Resources 2) Public Relations 3) Events and Trips

GOALS & SUCCESSES:

• Short Term Goals

  • Trip to National Conference for Media Reform in January 2007

  • Acquire a million dollar grant from the Knight Foundation

• Long Term Goals

  • Partnership with Peoples' Media Center at Al Fishawy Cafe in DC

  • Host an event at UMD featuring Amy Goodman, Bill Moyers, Robert ?McChesney, Jeff Cohen and other media activists

• Successful Examples

  • DCTV-NYC
  • Democracy NOW!
  • Free Press & F.A.I.R.
  • Independent Media Centers

CONTACT INFORMATION

Here are the contacts for the current officers:

• General: MD.?Media Collective@gmail.com

• Chair for Media Literacy and Reform

  Christian Melendez rustycmm8622@hotmail.com

• Chair for That Fresh Radio Piece

  James Briscoe jsbrisk@umd.edu

• Chair for The Catalyst

  Curtis Blaik thecatalystmag@gmail.com

• Secretary

  Sarah Breen sbreen@umd.edu