2010 Citizen Media Rendez-Vous

Monday, August 23, 2010

Citizen Media Rendez-Vous is back for its second edition. In an era where mass media is increasingly fragile (declining advertizing revenues, financial crisis, digital revolution, fragmenting audiences, etc.), citizen media have an unprecedented opportunity  to occupy the public sphere, particularly due to the advancement of social media and the democratization of modes of production.

For this second edition, the Citizen Media Rendez-Vous seeks to advance innovative practices within citizen media’s landscape, here and elsewhere in world. How can the public access and appropriate new media projects to better inform and mobilize itself? How can citizen media be used in the defense of human rights?

The Citizen Media Rendez-Vous gathers bloggers, engaged filmmakers, photographers and citizen journalists, media experts, alternative and independent media practitioners, web entrepreneurs, as well as others from the media landscape in turmoil. The Citizen Media Rendez-Vous is a space that promotes the sharing of ideas and practices. It invites new perspectives and encourages new collaborations. Lively exchanges among panelists and  participants will touch subjects such as the creation of content, the containers within which content is placed (technology platforms) and different community organizational models.

Two panels are scheduled:

• Accessing and appropriating citizen media to better inform and mobilize the public

• Citizen use of new media for the defense of human rights

There will also be a screening space at the Cinema Politica Rendez-Vous, that proposes a program of medium- and short-length videos that touch on the themes of citizen media practices and that provide examples of content from our partners and invited guests.

A networking opportunity is planned between panelists, special guests and registered participants during a breakfast Rendez-Vous Mashup.

The Citizen Media Rendez-Vous takes place at the Palais des congrès de Montréal on Monday, August 23 in parallel with the CIVICUS World Assembly, whose general theme is “Acting together for a just world.”