Media Reclamation Project

In this message:
- Jan 17: PWAC talk
- Feb 8-10: Conference / Media workshop
- Feb 15: Movie screening
- Top 25 censored stories of the past year
- Forwarded message from Uruguay!

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Happy New Years!

We’re forwarding a message on to you that is inspirational news from South America (see bottom of this message) …

But we also have some things coming up that we’d like to tell you about:

First, we’ve been asked to pass on notice of a talk presented by the Professional Writer’s Association of Canada, on Thurs Jan 17, 7:30-9pm, at the Jack Purcell Centre (off Elgin St.). Nate Hendley will give the talk, based on his book “Motivation for non-fiction writers” … Mention you’re with Media Matters and they might give you the discount/student rate of $5 (otherwise it’s $10). See http://www.pwacottawa.org/ for more

Next, on Sat Feb 9 (well, actually Feb 8-10) is the Building Solidarity Conference at Trent University in Peterborough … Media Matters will be presenting a workshop at 1pm on Sat Feb 9, entitled “Organizing around Media and Communication” … for more information, check the conference website at http://buildingsolidarityconference2008.20fr.com/ … also note that we will be looking for an opportunity to deliver this same workshop in Ottawa at some point, so stay tuned for that

Finally, on Fri Feb 15 Media Matters along with Ottawa Cinema Politica presents the movie “A Little Bit of So Much Truth”. This will be shown at 7:30pm (doors at 7) at the MacDonald Hall Auditorium (MCD 146), 150 Louis Pasteur St, on the main campus of the University of Ottawa. For details on the film, see  http://www.corrugate.org/un_poquito_de_tanta_verdad/un_poquito_de_tanta_verdad

And, at the end of every year, Project Censored releases a list of what they consider to be the Top 25 stories that didn’t get coverage in the mainstream media. Read this year’s list at http://www.projectcensored.org/censored_2008/index.htm … also note that OPIRG-Ottawa, located at 631 King Edward, 3rd floor, phone (613)230-3076, orders the annual list in book format, and these are available from the resource centre, so feel free

And, without further adieu, the good news you’ve been waiting for:

Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:33:50 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [ncra] Uruguay approves Community Broadcasting Bill
From: “George Lessard” <media@web.net>

Check out the new Uruguayan CR Bill. This is what all CR regulation should aspire to be.

1. It sets aside one-third of all radio (AM & FM) *and* television frequencies for community-based media.
2. Licenses are granted by a council made up of all the stake-holders.
3. There is no fixed transmitter power or coverage area – the range depends on the size of the audience.

SENATE PASSES COMMUNITY BROADCASTING BILL

http://www.mediaforfreedom.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=7158

In what the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) calls a “groundbreaking move for freedom of expression in Latin America,” the Uruguayan Senate approved a Community Broadcasting Bill that recognises community broadcasting in its own right and says television and radio frequencies should be more equitably distributed.

The bill acknowledges the importance of this “third” broadcasting sector alongside the state and private sectors, and stipulates that one third of the AM and FM radio airwaves and television broadband will be reserved for community-based media outlets, which AMARC says ensures greater diversity of media ownership.

A new council, made up of government, media, university and free expression representatives, will play a part in granting and renewing frequencies and ensuring that the government does not use frequency allocation to indirectly censor broadcasts.

According to AMARC, the bill does not impose limits on the geographical range and signal strength of community media outlets, unlike laws in Brazil and Chile. Instead, the bill says the range of coverage will depend on the outlet’s purpose and the audience it is trying to reach.

Community broadcasters will also have the right to secure financing through donations, advertising and government grants.

AMARC and other free expression organisations, including IFEX members ARTICLE 19 and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), have been closely following this development as it sets a crucial precedent for the region. AMARC was also involved in drafting the bill. “This is the first time that transparent and non-discriminatory processes for the allocation of radio and television frequencies have been explicitly laid out in Uruguayan legislation,” says AMARC.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives to approve some amendments made by the Senate. According to government officials, the law will be passed by the end of the year.

Visit these links:
- AMARC: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/87839/
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22492
- ARTICLE 19: http://tinyurl.com/22xkhs
- “IFEX Communiqué” on passage of bill in House of Representatives: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/84084/