Public Right To Know Conference: 17 & 18 October 2008
'GIVING THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT'
The Australian Centre for Independent Journalism's 2008 Public Right to Know conference, 'Giving the People What They Want', will explore how the dynamics of politics, economics, technology and social behaviour are reshaping audiences, Australia's media landscape and the practice of journalism. The conference aims to challenge your thinking, keep you entertained and informed. The conference is $125/person with free entry for students and anyone on a government pension. Registrations are now open.
Conference Program
Friday 17 October
The conference opens on Friday 17 October with 'Celebrity Nights, Celebrity Rights' where a panel will discuss the vexed relationship between celebrities and the media. Well-known and witty SMH columnist and social observer David Dale will moderate the discussion. The night will begin with drinks from 6pm with the panel finishing about 8pm. Venue: University of Technology, Sydney, Building 2, Level 4, Room 2.4.13, Broadway.
Saturday 18 October
The conference continues on Saturday 18 October with five sessions over the day, with 3 - 4 speakers per session. Each session consists of a mix of individual speakers and panel discussion. The discussion will be lively with questions being taken from the audience and the moderators. Registration for the conference opens from 8am. The conference will be held in Room 2.4.13, Building 2, Level 4, UTS, Broadway.
Session 1: 'UNDER THE RADAR: NEW MEDIA, NEW VOICES': The spread of technologies has enabled audiences to access global news sources, but it's also giving voice to local communities under-represented in the past, and to those challenging mainstream and official viewpoints. How will the expansion of citizen journalism impact on communities, and on traditional forms of journalism? (Session 1: 0900 - 1015)
Session 2: 'BLOCKED ARTERIES: GATEKEEPERS VS. THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION': How much are we entitled to know? In a so-called Age of Terror, is there an argument for withholding vital information? As use of the Internet crosses national and international borders, what controls should there be on matters of sub-judice? Is technology rewriting the rules on crime reporting? And what can be done when authoritarian governments shut down media outlets? (Session 2: 1030 -1145)
Session 3: 'BEYOND CONVENTION: NEW WAYS OF TELLING': New issues, new cultures and concepts require new ways of reporting and disseminating information, yet much of our media remains locked into templates that reflect a post-war, Anglo-centric view of the world. This disconnect with current, early 21st century realities produces reporting that often exacerbates, rather than illuminates, problems. Are there better approaches to connecting audiences with critical issues? (Session 3: 1145 - 1300)
Session 4: 'MAKING HEADLINES: POLITICS, ISSUES AND SPIN': Behind those bold headlines is an increasingly sophisticated machine that shapes agendas and accentuates the positive. Political reporting wasn't always like this, but today the spin industry has much of the media in its grip. How did climate change, an issue that's been around for two decades, suddenly become the most talked about topic in the universe? Who's driving news, who's pushing and who's pulling? (Session 4: 1400-1515)
Session 5: 'BEHOLD A NEW HORIZON: MEDIAWORLD': Exit the VJ or video journalist, enter the mojo - filing text, audio, video and stills from anywhere in the world with nothing but a mobile phone. How does the mojo impact on the more traditional forms of journalism, and journalism education? What effects will increasing media convergence have on massive, capital-heavy broadcasters like Japan's NHK? And where does all this leave the humble ink-and-paper tabloid? (Session 5: 1530-1645)
For further information contact:
ACIJ Director, Tony Maniaty, 2 9514 2312, tony.maniaty@uts.edu.au
ACIJ Manager, Jan McClelland, 2 9514 2295, Jan.McClelland@uts.edu.au
