The basic idea
No more publication. Focus instead on an annual media-focused training event to strengthen radical media. This proposal is inspired by the Z Media Institute, founded in the US in 1994 by Lydia Sargent and Michael Albert ‘to teach radical politics, media and organizing skills, the principles and practice of creating non-hierarchical institutions and projects, activism, and vision and strategy for social change.’ A week-long event, ZMI ran until 2011, running political courses, media courses (including starting a media project – newspaper, radio, video, magazine, online), and skills courses (including finances, promotion, fundraising).
1) What are the main things we would do, if we chose this option?
We would organise an annual week-long residential radical media training event with similar content to ZMI, paying presenters to share their skills and experience. The finances would rely on some grant funding, support from PNT, and significant fees, on a sliding scale, for participants (for many, this event would be part of their start-up cost as a small business).
2) What are the main needs the project is serving?
The focus of this project would be on strengthening skills and bonds in the radical media community, and strengthening the media skills of activists and organisers.
3) What is the hole that this project is filling? (Are we sure somebody else isn’t already doing this? How much would we be adding?)
We’re not aware of any similar project for radical, independent media.
4) How would we define the ‘success’ of this project?
Success would mean building a diverse national network of radical media activists and projects, and strengthening and deepening skills in radical media – perhaps across Europe.
5) What are some of the main pros and cons of adopting this option?
Pros:
- PN has connections to a lot of radical media activists and projects already, and can draw on past staff for expertise and contacts
- PN has the experience of organising the 2011 Rebellious Media Conference, a much larger event
Cons:
- it’s not clear how much demand there is for this kind of training/skill-sharing/learning
6) How does what is happening in the world, right now and over the next five years or so, support or work against the success of this project?
There seems to be some growth in radical media projects and that is likely to continue. However, a lot of that seems to be on a voluntary or near-voluntary basis, so it’s not clear how much people would be able to pay to come to an event like this. There are now, and have recently been, independent media projects that are locally-based, such as the Bristol Cable or the Manchester Mule. This might be a growth area – folk from such projects might be willing to share their knowledge and experience with others wanting to do something similar.
7) Which kind(s) of people is the project focused on/prioritising?
Radical media activists and media workers. Activists and organisers who do media work.
8) Which organised group(s) could we partner with to help deliver this project?
- Real Media
- Red Pepper
- New Internationalist
- The Bristol Cable
- Independent Media Association
- The Canary
- Declassified UK
- Reel News
9) What skills/qualities/experience will be needed to deliver this project?
- Logistics/conference organising skills
- Facilitation skills
- Promotion skills
- Fundraising skills
10) What seems to be the minimum budget needed to deliver this project?
No doubt this could start small and develop. If a host (person or organisation) could be found to offer a residential building for free for the first year, then the budget might look like this:
Expenses
PN organising staff £15,000
Presenters who would deliver talks/workshops £3,000
Catering £3,000
Total expenses £21,000
Income
Participants’ fees (20 people x average contribution £300) £6,000
PNT contribution £15,000
Total income £21,000
As the project grew, it would probably need external grant funding to expand (and to pay for hiring a venue).