Again, Steven Cobert demonstrates how he is the number one pundit in America, deftly explaining the history of the telephone industry in the United States from the 1980s to now in under one minute and 20 seconds.
Call for papers for Conf on “Young People, New Technologies and Political Engagement” in July, Univ. of Surrey
Just got this Call for Papers for an academic seminar on "Young People, New Technologies and Political Engagement" at the University of Surrey from July 24-25. Here’s the seminar description: Against the backdrop of increasing concern about the disengagement of youth from politics and the public sphere, the relationship between new technologies and young people’s…
Videos & Audio from NCMR in Memphis
The Free Press folks have put online several videos and audio from the National Conference on Media Reform, for those who weren’t able to make it. Here’s an appropriate video excerpt of the Rev. Jesse Jackson speaking about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "When we romanticize Dr. King’s journey we distort history,"…
Grey like me – living for a day in another digital skin
In response to dga Kymoon’s cool suggestion, I’ve changed my skin color for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It will be interesting living in another skin for a day. I doubt I will be forced to teleport to the back of the bus or face any other discrimination. Still, a cool idea. I considered making…
Four days in Memphis: Where is the Media Reform Movement now?
"I’m anxious for us to broaden the base of this coalition. This is the people’s coalition. We want our coalition to look like the people." — Rev. Jesse Jackson at the National Conference on Media Reform Returning home after four days at the National Conference on Media Reform in Memphis, I have to wonder what…
Toolkits & Online Resources for Media Activism: Show & Tell
I’m speaking this morning at a side-event on "Toolkits & Online Resources for Media Activism: Show & Tell" featuring : Hye Jung Park, Funding Exchange Drew Clark, Center for Public Integrity Anthony Mazza, Prometheus Radio Project Elisha Miranda and Sophia Quintero, Chica Luna Productions Jeff Smith, Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy TBA, Youth Media…
Pictures from last night of Natl Conference on Media Reform
The last night of the National Conference on Media Reform featured a star-studded series of short speeches by: Congressman Ed Markey (D-Mass.) Geena Davis, actress and founder, See Jane Ben Bagdikian, author, The Media Monopoly Ben Hooks, former executive director, NAACP Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Hip-Hop Caucus Deepa Fernandes, WBAI and Radio Rootz Erubiel Valladares Carranza,…
Andrew Puddephatt on media reform from a human rights perspective
This morning I attended a very broad and interesting side-event on “Global Information and Communication Policy” organized by Consumer’s Union. The event featured an international panel of speakers including : Luiz Fernando Marrey Moncau, Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor, Brazil Rosemary Okello-Orlale, African Woman and Child Feature Service, Kenya Bjarne Pedersen, Consumers International Andrew…
NCMR Community Wireless Workshop
This morning I was at a really great panel discussion on “The Growth of Wireless Internet : From Community to Municipal to Corporate,” which featured several leading experts and activists in the field of community wireless: Dharma Dailey, Ethos Group (moderator) Michael Calabrese, New America Foundation Harold Feld, Media Access Project Michael Lewis, Wireless Harlem…
Barbecued lamb riblets at Rendezvous… be still my fat-clogged heart
I’ve had barbeque for three days in a row in Memphis. But the penultimate ‘que experience I’ve had here is the lamb riblets at Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous Charcoal Ribs. Dry-rubbed, tender, fatty and crispy on the outside. Simply awesome. Warning: Don’t click on the image if you aren’t near a decent bbq place.