MONTREAL/October 14, 2004—
http://www.mediawrench.ca
http://publicaffairs.concordia.ca/
Montreal / October 13 2004- On Monday, October 18, the 4th annual International Media Democracy Day (IMDD) will be celebrated in Montreal at Concordia University, with a day of discussions, workshops, screenings and an all-day media fair. IMDD begins at 11 AM with a panel discussion on Digital Democracy in H-110 (in the Henry F. Hall Building at 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West), with later highlights that include a keynote speech from Emmy-winning filmmaker Danny Schechter, who will later screen his film, ìWeapons of Mass Deception,î for the first time in Canada. The action-packed day will end with a National Film Board of Canada website launch and live music at Reggie's - the student bar on campus.
Modeled after Earth Day, IMDD is an international day of education, celebration and protest designed to increase public awareness around media issues, promote grassroots media alternatives and put media reform on the political agenda. It is a day of media engagement and activism. IMDD was started at Simon Fraser University, in Vancouver, B.C., four years a go.
Media democracy promotes a mass media system that informs and empowers all members of society. IMDD is a day of action based on three themes:
ï Education - understanding how the media shapes our world and democracy
ï Protest - against a media system based on commercialization and exclusivity
ï Change - call for media reforms that respond to public interests, promote diversity and ensure community representation and accountability
There will be two Media Scrums during IMDD ñ the first at 11:30 AM, at Room H-110 for general inquiries; the second at 3:30 PM, at Room H-110, to speak with Keynote Danny Schechter. All media are welcome, and a press kit may be downloaded the site below.
For press kit and a complete schedule of events and their locations, please visit the new IMDD website at: http://www.mediawrench.ca
For any more information or inquiries, please contact Ezra Winton at: ezra@uberculture.org, or phone: (514) 265-1217.
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