Media for a New Story with Duane Elgin et al.

Media for a New Story with Duane Elgin

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This talk is kicked off by panel moderator Duane Elgin, an advocate for media accountability and citizen empowerment. His message that “as the media goes, so goes the future” underscores the power of media as our window on the world and our mirror; it can be both vehicle and voice for transformation. Documentary filmmaker Rory O’Connor follows with a sobering look as the downside of mainstream media, from politically motivated coverage to “dumbed down” reporting. He points out that consciousness, media, and democracy are intrinsically linked, and notes that American media is currently in a crisis of plagiarism, errors, and outright hoaxes. But a new paradigm of citizen-empowered journalism is emerging, fueled by the digital revolution and the Web. If we don’t like the news, we really can go out and make some of our own!

Roy Walkenhorst, the founder of News Travel Network, then discusses how alternative media can become economically sustainable, using his company’s highly successful strategy “to shoot once, edit widely” as a cost-effective model for optimizing distribution. His partner, Judy Brooks, explains how that model is helping her broaden the market for Healing Quest, her acclaimed series of programs on natural health and alternative medicine currently broadcast on PBS. She stresses the power of personal stories to capture audience attention and convey heartfelt information.

The last panelist to speak is Macky Alston, an organizer within the worlds of philanthropy and media-making. He shares promising news of resources (such as seed grants) that are available to fledgling documentary makers, and describes his work to widen the range of spiritual leaders and “prophetic voices” accessible via mainstream media.

After a group breakout session, the workshop closes with an uplifting vision for 21st century media: post partisan, largely non-commercial, citizen-powered, and solution oriented.

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