Presenters: Carlin Christy, Jessica McPherson, and Diane Amdor
Rustbelt Radio, a project of the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center, is a weekly radio show of news overlooked by the corporate media. It is collaboratively produced and community-based. In this workshop, Rustbelt Radio volunteers and participants will explore various aspects of community news radio programs. First we will discuss why in the 21st century community radio is a viable and vital medium for alternative media. Members of Rustbelt Radio will then describe how they create their weekly show, including: sources for information, their model of collaborative production, web-based tools used to facilitate collaboration, and how they involve new volunteers.
The second part of the workshop will engage participants to problem-solve some of the pressing dilemmas faced in creating an alternative community news program. Real-life examples from Rustbelt Radio volunteers' experiences will be used as case studies. Participants will work together to answer the questions: How can we create new models of organization and journalism that build community, transform individuals, and grow movements for social justice?
