• They are Chinese-American and Korean-American women
• They work for and with Current TV; an independent media outlet
• The US administration does not want to bring attention to North Korea

Over two weeks ago, the NY Times reported that Laura Ling, a Chinese-American, and Euna Lee, a Korean-American, both of Current TV, were taken into custody by North Korean military officials. They are now facing the potential of ten years imprisonment in North Korea. There has been very little coverage of the situation by both mainstream media outlets and Current TV.

According to Josh Wolf, of Freedomedia, [via recent post "Current TV won't talk and more evidence of site censorship"] there is a major censorship issue at play here. This is likely to be further compounded by Al Gore’s founding and association with the channel – and I couldn’t agree more.

That last link is a tweet from last Sunday, which would indicate Current has been scrubbing their site for more than a week [Josh Wolf].

As mentioned, politics plays a major role in this situation. Not only on the heals of G20 and today’s start to the NATO summit, but there’s been rising tension with North Korean over suspicion of the testing of ballistic missile technology. While this is a delicate situation that requires proper handling, it should not be at the expense of two female journalists. These women were working to shed light on issues of human suffering and social injustice. Now global politics, outweighs their safe return.

The devastating irony is Laura Ling’s journalist philosophy to ensure transparent, fair and honest journalism. She has been betrayed by the very cause and outlets she’s supported.

I’m rarely inspired by what I see in the media. Television is supposed to be the most powerful medium—but TV news seems to be anything but powerful. Vanguard is trying to change that. We’re trying to provide knowledge and context about what’s happening in our world as opposed to just covering random news events. We hope our work generates dialogue about the important issues affecting our lives (Courtesy of Laura Ling and Current TV).

The question remains – now what. Make your voice heard. Do not let this situation go on ignored. Journalist have rights and those cannot be compromised nor can our right to access to such injustices go unnoticed.

Demand transparency from @current
Join the Facebook group
Read more of Freedomedia

As news and information is shared with the public through more community centric channels, traditional “big” media is walking a fine line. While some are openly collaborating with community media and citizen journalists, others are yet to do so.

The result: an unfortunate portrayal of situations and communities as well as lacking credits to the appropriate (and original) sources of reporting. The Boston Globe is guilty of this and this issue cropped up again past this week when NBC reported a story that had been previously broken by Press Pass TV; NBC Steals story from Kids.

Part of the mission here at Press Pass TV is to use the news as a source of empowerment, community building and to inspire people to action. We were happy to feature Darrin Howell, Cassie Grice and their neighbors in their dialogue about solutions to keep their children and their neighborhood safe. The story featured here on Channel 7 does none of those things, and instead perpetuates a lot of the hopelessness and fear we see young people already feeling about their communities.

As literacy, news and access to information shifts daily, Cara works to build a space that ensures there are opportunities to empower others to better leverage media to advocate, educate and promote social change for their communities and themselves.

Cara’s passion and commitment is an inspiration – she makes it known that we’re not simply going to sit back and let media and communities be exploited, but rather continue to strive (and demand) fair collaboration, transparency and change!

Learn more about Cara Lisa Powers, By Any Media Neceassary and Press Pass TV.

Re:Imagining Change is an interactive and accessible resource guide to smartMeme’s story-based strategy tools and methods. Download 75 pages of ideas, analysis, case studies, and strategies to change your campaign, your community and your world

See for yourself:

 

Great work smartMeme – and Doyle!!

Protect the Vote is looking for teams of videographers to go to New Hampshire on Election Day. If you are interested, contact Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) member Matt Fullerton. Eye on Democracy is holding a video contest – submit a three minute video reflecting the voting experiences, positive or negative, of people in Massachusetts on Election Day – cash prizes (courtesy of CCTV).

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling like this economic meltdown moment is a game-changer. The recent firestorm over the “bailout” is the beginning of a whole new conversation about our economic system, the role of the state, and extreme wealth and inequality. It is also clearly not the end of our economic woes, and things are likely going to get worse before they get better (excerpt from Battle of the (Bailout) Story).

Be sure to learn more about Doyle and smartMeme:

SmartMeme builds movements and amplifies the impact of grassroots organizing with new strategy and training resources, values based communications, collaborations, and meme campaigning. SmartMeme uses the power of narrative to advance a holistic vision of grassroots social change that connects struggles for democracy, peace, justice, and ecological sanity.

The first national survey of its kind finds that virtually all American teens play computer, console, or cell phone games and that the gaming experience is rich and varied, with a significant amount of social interaction and potential for civic engagement (courtesy of Pew Internet).

Read full report and check out Henry Jenkins response.

I don’t think that I’m the only African-American edublogger but I have noticed that racial diversity is lacking in the ’sphere. Am I wrong? If not, what are the reasons? What are the implications (for the web community, students, and other stakeholders)? Courtesy of Diversity 2.5.1 (BETA)? (Comic)

Diversity isn’t only lacking within educational blogging, but within the web as a whole. As technology continues to go mainstream, we are faced with new complexities to stagnant issues of racism, classism, ageism and so forth. These isms are taking new shape and being forced to face new challenges with the increased presence of the web.

Today it is expected that you will find a job, apply for college, do research, and connect with your friends all through virtual means, but what if you don’t have a computer or even have access to one? What if you don’t have broadband (p.s. that’s a bigger issue in and of itself)? What if you’re a school with limited resources and outdated technology?

What are the implications (for the web community, students, and other stakeholders)?

A voice isn’t being heard.

Today, more then ever, the web is about conversations and community, but what if the community is missing a potentially powerful member? There are voices waiting to be heard and stories needing to be told. This is occurring in our communities, schools, cities and towns as well as across the world in Africa and a multitude of other countries without the means to participate in the conversation.

Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) is just one example of an organization offering access to their community. They are providing the resources to learn, understand and engage through technical means of communication that would otherwise be out of reach.

For those of us who live our lives wrapped up in technology it’s easy to forget that there is an increasing digital divide that is leaving many in its wake. As a blogger, a social  media enthusiastic and a humanitarian it is my responsibly to ensure that everyone has a voice. As the web continues to integrate into our lives I challenge you to be an advocate for the collective conversation not only including those who have the means, but everyone who has a voice.

To learn more please contact Colin Rhinesmith, Community Media Coordinator

Speaker: Nick Jehlen, Creative Director of the Action Mill
Title: “Think Outside the Toolbox”

“What are we trying to do? Change the word.”

We need to remember that things can change…
“Be the change you want to see in the world [Gandhi]”

Now that we know what we need to do, where do we go to do it??
Go to the “common spaces”. It is easier to collaborative and to spaces (both online and physical) where like people are. The challenge and the power is taking action in “the commons” = a space/location where everyone (like/unlike) exist.

Tools: “Before you start planning you need to put down the tools”
Put down the hammer! More on this later.

The steps:

1. Define your goal
2. Map your path (to achieve the goal)
3. Plan your first step on that path (plan action)
4. Then, find the right tool(s) to take that very first step

[Don't restrict yourself to the tools!]
If you reach for the tool, before you have defined your goal, action and path, then chances are that you are going to limit or impede the success of that goal.

Campaign examples:

1. IVAW
2. Turn Your Back on Bush
3. Enough Fear

How do you tell the story??

• Don’t forget to not only tell the story about the “action”
• Tell the story of “why” the action is being taken (the journey to the action)

Remember:

• Define “the action”
• Implement the action within “the commons”

It has been such a refreshing opportunity to stretch both my creative and social wings. Per usual, my creative and socially-oriented self has been on the back burner. This project was what I needed to rekindled my love affair with the journey of creating. How quickly I forget that creating is just that: a journey, as so much of life is.

Full program: Grassroots Use of Technology Conference Program

This Saturday’s conference brings together a group of talented and passionate visionaries who are leveraging technology to promote a variety of social efforts. If you’re free on Saturday and live in the New England area, then I encourage you attend.