M For Media Malarkey
- the SchNEWS Alternative Media Gathering 2007

May 11-13th 2007
Cowley Club, 12 London Rd, Brighton, BN1 4JA

You are invited to SchNEWS' first multi-media-activist gathering. As well as a coming together of those already involved in web, video, print, photography, and radio in alternative/independent media – as well as activists who use this media - this event will also be for new people wanting to get involved. Starting on Friday evening and going through to Sunday evening, there will be a range of discussions, hands-on practical workshops in the various media, as well as stalls and screenings throughout the weekend to showcase what's currently being produced.

After discussions amongst SchNEWS, as well as others' imput, about what aspects of independent media should be highlighted during the gathering, several key points have emerged:

* Promoting campaigns and mobilising communities: evaluating and improving the way independent media helps the campaigns and actions it covers, as well as how campaigns use various media themselves – with speakers from campaigns talking about their experiences, and those working in alternative media.

* Improving Skills: Acknowledging that many people in alternative media come from 'activist' backgrounds, and are often getting by with very little 'training'. For video activists it may be about the battles with technology to produce and distribute video, for writers it may mean they have limited research or 'journalistic' skills, and those creating leaflets/flyers/publications would often benefit with more knowledge about design etc. There will be workshops and discussions to help improve skills in these and other relevant areas.

The gathering will accommodate for the fact that while both these topics, and many others, are common to all media, and many people work in several media - there is also areas specific to each - so therefore some of the key sessions will start with the whole group together, then split off into the various types to discuss aspects in more detail.

As well as this there will be talks from those involved in Pirate Radio, mobile Indymedia set-ups for such events as the G8 protest in Scotland, and more to be confirmed.

While some speakers are confirmed, if you have relevant experience in these areas and would like to be involved, please contact SchNEWS now.

Likewise if you want to come along, and need accommodation, contact SchNEWS - we need to know numbers as soon as, so please give us fair notice.

The event will be free/donation, and vegan food will be available during the weekend in the Cowley Club.

email  schnews@brighton.co.uk tel 01273 685 913

See Full call out and practival info and the schedule for the weekend.