The desperate need for community an alternative media to work together in fighting for space in the new technological age has never been greater.
Open Spectrum Australia is organising a symposium in Melbourne entitled Quality//Control on Friday 17 October. It will cover issues pertaining the future of alternative/community media and the possible need for collaboration.
It will involve several guest speakers and workshops to strategise possible ways forward for the media in Australia.
When: 9am-5pm, Friday 17th October 2008
Where: State Library of Victoria Theatrette
328 Swanston Street (corner Latrobe Street)Melbourne VIC 3000
For more information, please contact Open Spectrum Australia, by email info@openspectrum.org.au
Bookings are FREE and can be made here
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Prince of Darkness takes the Reigns at PBL
Tim Parker is a man with a reputation for union busting, rampant sackings and costcutting. But for debt riddled PBL Media, it must all seem like good business sense to appoint him as their independent chairman.
PBL Media owns Channel Nine, Australian Consolidated Press, Ticketek and has a share in the NineMSN website. The debt vortex began in 2006 when PBL borrowed $4 million to buy into Ninemsn and ACP. An investment which was extended to include magazine group, EMAP; Ticketek and Acer Arena.
Parker is said to be worth $75 million, with stints as the chief at shoemaker Clarks, Britain's Automobile Association; and deputy major of London, under Boris Johnson, before suddenly leaving last month. As head of the Automobile Assoc, he shed half of their 7,000 staff.
Watch this space...
PBL Media owns Channel Nine, Australian Consolidated Press, Ticketek and has a share in the NineMSN website. The debt vortex began in 2006 when PBL borrowed $4 million to buy into Ninemsn and ACP. An investment which was extended to include magazine group, EMAP; Ticketek and Acer Arena.
Parker is said to be worth $75 million, with stints as the chief at shoemaker Clarks, Britain's Automobile Association; and deputy major of London, under Boris Johnson, before suddenly leaving last month. As head of the Automobile Assoc, he shed half of their 7,000 staff.
Watch this space...
Aus and U.S. Differ on Net Neutrality
The heads of Australia's three largest ISP's have called Net Neutrality a specifically American problem.
Australian ISP's have become famous for their pay by the megabyte download charges. While prices have dropped, costs still are significant enough to keep many out of the broadband loop.
The "American" model, on the other hand, offers unlimited services. U.S. ISPs unhappy with their mega profits, are introducing tiered internet access.
The answer to this dilemma is that neither approach is suitable for the community service we know as the internet. Australia needs to introduce affordable near to unlimited broadband as soon as possible if we are to see the full use of the internet for all of its multimedia uses.
Read the one sided ZDnet report here
Australian ISP's have become famous for their pay by the megabyte download charges. While prices have dropped, costs still are significant enough to keep many out of the broadband loop.
The "American" model, on the other hand, offers unlimited services. U.S. ISPs unhappy with their mega profits, are introducing tiered internet access.
The answer to this dilemma is that neither approach is suitable for the community service we know as the internet. Australia needs to introduce affordable near to unlimited broadband as soon as possible if we are to see the full use of the internet for all of its multimedia uses.
Read the one sided ZDnet report here
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ninjas For Net Neutrality
Watch as a random ninja gives a comedic insight into why we should support Net Neutrality!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
ABC Chief Praises Murdoch, Calls for More Cash
In a controversial speech to the National Press Club, ABC Chief Mark Scott has praised News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch as the last great hope for newspapers and old fashioned journalism.
With a funding agreement coming up before the end of the year, Scott then went on to pitch the claim for more money to help ABC fill this extra 'space'. Central to this bid is a new C-SPAN like Public Affairs Channel and a commitment to its 12 international bureaus.
Should be interesting to see how it all turns out, as this funding agreement could ultimately decide the future of the abc.
You can read an extract of Mark Scott's speech here
With a funding agreement coming up before the end of the year, Scott then went on to pitch the claim for more money to help ABC fill this extra 'space'. Central to this bid is a new C-SPAN like Public Affairs Channel and a commitment to its 12 international bureaus.
Should be interesting to see how it all turns out, as this funding agreement could ultimately decide the future of the abc.
You can read an extract of Mark Scott's speech here
Fairfax Strike Signals Broader Media Crisis
My commentary on the current situation in the Australian media has been printed this week by Green Left Weekly.
Check it out at http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/767/39554
Also, just a couple of follow up articles on the Fairfax Strike...
Green Left Weekly's Margarita Windisch interviews MEAA Spokesperson Mike Dobbie here
Solidarity Online interviews a member of the Fairfax union house committee here
Check it out at http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/767/39554
Also, just a couple of follow up articles on the Fairfax Strike...
Green Left Weekly's Margarita Windisch interviews MEAA Spokesperson Mike Dobbie here
Solidarity Online interviews a member of the Fairfax union house committee here
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Youth Confused by News Format
A new study from North Western University (USA) has shown that news coverage of the elections only further confuses young people.
Far from the uncaring generation, young people are interested in online news that is able to get to the point, showing them what the candidates actually stand for layed out in an easy to read format.
Study here
Far from the uncaring generation, young people are interested in online news that is able to get to the point, showing them what the candidates actually stand for layed out in an easy to read format.
Study here
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Moore's Latest Film: Free On The Net!
In an internet first, Michael Moore's latest full length film, Slacker Uprising, will be be available for free online.
The film follows Moore's countrywide travels in the leadup to the 2004 elections, where he encouraged young people to take action and vote.
The film will be distributed by Robert Greenwald's progressive production company, Brave New Films. Brave New Films were the producers behind Outfoxed and War For Sale.
Check out the trailer and release date at the Slacker Uprising Website
The film follows Moore's countrywide travels in the leadup to the 2004 elections, where he encouraged young people to take action and vote.
The film will be distributed by Robert Greenwald's progressive production company, Brave New Films. Brave New Films were the producers behind Outfoxed and War For Sale.
Check out the trailer and release date at the Slacker Uprising Website
Friday, September 5, 2008
Goodman: "Why we were falsely arrested"
Democracy NOW! host Amy Goodman has used her latest TruthDig column to address the wider issues behind her wrongful arrest at protests at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota earlier this week.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080903_why_we_were_falsely_arrested/
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080903_why_we_were_falsely_arrested/
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Cops Arrest Journalists at RNC
The normally dry, photogenic images the Republicans wants you to recieve from their National Convention has been enforced with an iron fist by the National Guard, in St. Paul, Minnesota, these past few days.
Several journalists, including prominant Democracy NOW! host Amy Goodman, two DN producers and an AP photographer have all been detained. All have been released, with pending court cases to fight charges of obstruction for Goodman and felony riot charges for producers Kouddous and Salazar.
It is believed that members of the secret service have also been involved in confiscating media passes of journalists covering the protests.
The I-Witness Collective, who have collected much praise for their work in exposing the wrongdoings of police during protest actions, have had their premises raided, with some equipment being seized. It is only one of the many pre-convention raids to marr the week of protests.
Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Video of Nicole Salazar’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jreRSEQ_yg
More on Tuesday's edition of Democracy NOW!
Several journalists, including prominant Democracy NOW! host Amy Goodman, two DN producers and an AP photographer have all been detained. All have been released, with pending court cases to fight charges of obstruction for Goodman and felony riot charges for producers Kouddous and Salazar.
It is believed that members of the secret service have also been involved in confiscating media passes of journalists covering the protests.
The I-Witness Collective, who have collected much praise for their work in exposing the wrongdoings of police during protest actions, have had their premises raided, with some equipment being seized. It is only one of the many pre-convention raids to marr the week of protests.
Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Video of Nicole Salazar’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jreRSEQ_yg
More on Tuesday's edition of Democracy NOW!
Fairfax Strike Ends With "Agreement"
On Monday 1 September, Fairfax media workers returned to work after what the MEAA describe as a "enterprise bargaining breakthrough".
During their four day strike, the media workers were involved in rallies at their various workplaces. Threats by management were made, but these were overcome by many journalists and other media workers unafraid to stand up to corporate interest.
The four days opened doors for people advocating for media reform in this country, in the limited space that is allocated outside the mainstream, and it will be interesting to see how the new dynamics in the media continue to evolve. One thing is for sure though, while media continues to put corporate interest, above all else, there will always be a reason to fight it. Our problem is coming together and being able to effectively advocate the changes we need and grow a wider movement around it.
More details here
During their four day strike, the media workers were involved in rallies at their various workplaces. Threats by management were made, but these were overcome by many journalists and other media workers unafraid to stand up to corporate interest.
The four days opened doors for people advocating for media reform in this country, in the limited space that is allocated outside the mainstream, and it will be interesting to see how the new dynamics in the media continue to evolve. One thing is for sure though, while media continues to put corporate interest, above all else, there will always be a reason to fight it. Our problem is coming together and being able to effectively advocate the changes we need and grow a wider movement around it.
More details here
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