For the past four years, “the NYC Grassroots Media Coalition has explored the political dimensions of media and how it shapes our lives. In developing relationships between community and media organizations, the GMC is working to re-imagine issues of access to, control of, and power over our media system. That means defining our struggle as a struggle for Media Justice.”

They do this through the amazing NYC Grassroots Media Conference (NYCGMC) that they have held for the past 4 years. I went to the 2008 conference that happened yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I attended panels on the changing face of journalism, using the web for good and one given by Hunter College about making documentary films, along with seeing an interesting and poignant film about the human face of immigration.

The goals of the NYCGMC are to strengthen and unify the networks of local grassroots media makers to better serve the communities of New York City.

In organizing media makers the coalition seeks to provide a space to look critically at the NYC independent media movement and organize for increased resources for local communities and for media advocacy. The coalition will work to provide a format through which independent media makers can communicate, collaborate and strategize ways to increase awareness of community organizing campaigns through media making.

The coalition will work to create both physical and virtual spaces where local media makers are accountable to and inclusive of the diverse communities of New York City, and provide spaces for organizations, artists and individuals to share experiences and resources, collectively develop projects and avoid duplicating efforts.[NYC GMC]

Last year I attended an amazing session on being free and organic on the internet. You should definitely go HERE and take a look at what I learned about free and open source software. There’s a great video and tons of useful information if you click on the link. Also check back in the next few days for more comprehensive posts on the panels and films I went to and information on how you can use media justice in your community!

to learn more about the NYC Grassroots Media Coalition and check out the pictures below from last year’s conference (I’m in one of them!)