2008 Annual Report-specia

…working for media democracy in Canada

ANNUAL REPORT

2008

CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRATIC MEDIA

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

Campaign for Democratic Media (CDM) WE ARE a network of public interest organizations and people working for media democracy in Canada. CDM works at the national, regional, and local levels to support a diverse public service oriented media system through public education and civic engagement. We aim to build a vibrant and coherent media reform movement that reflects the diversity of Canada’s population and defends our diverse public interests. Our role is to create a common front among the groups promoting reform of print, broadcast and web-based media and to engage individuals and organizations traditionally absent from, and underrepresented in, media policy-making and media activism.

Table of Contents: 3 4 5 6 9

Welcome Note Building a Profile Media Concentration Telecommunications Independent Media

11 12 15 17

2008 Election Looking Ahead CDM Network CDM Steering Committee

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From the National Coordinator

Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

A National Media Reform Organization in Canada is born.

Dear Friend, Media ownership in Canada is more concentrated than almost anywhere else in the industrialized world. In June 2006, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications’ Report on the Canadian News Media concluded that there are “areas where the concentration of ownership has reached levels that few other countries would consider acceptable.” Out of concern for the undemocratic nature of our media system, the Campaign for Democratic Media (CDM) was born. In the summer of 2007, a diverse network of public interest organizations and people concerned about media reform and media policy formation in Canada, assembled with a unified goal in mind: to fight for media democracy in Canada. Since our inception, CDM has launched national campaigns such as Stop the Big Media Takeover and SaveOurNet.ca, and local campaigns for community media including Radio One for All. We have taken on digital media issues, organized the biggest Media Democracy Day to date in Vancouver, and created a strong presence politically, including staging a Net Neutrality Rally on Parliament Hill. At present, there is a battle brewing between big telecom companies and the Canadian public over the issue of Net Neutrality. On November 20th, 2008, the CRTC announced that it would allow Bell Canada to continue its controversial Internet throttling practices. The CRTC is abdicating its responsibility to the Canadian people and putting us on a path towards a more closed Internet defined by the interests of big telecom companies. If big telecom wins, a small cartel of corporate gatekeepers will control the cost of, and access to, web-based content. But if we win, we will have open access to unlimited possibilities for independent and alternative media content and innovation. We have built a strong coalition consisting of tremendous diversity and we are building momentum in Canada. In the last year, the media democracy movement has pushed net neutrality from obscurity, to the subject of national media coverage by Global TV, CBC, The Toronto Star and other media outlets. Social change is propelled by open public discussion, which is currently being suffocated by undemocratic media. However, history shows that when confronted with robust, civic engagement around media issues, politicians and policy makers bow to popular pressure. We’re up against some of the most powerful interests in the country, but with our growing network of organizations, coalitions, and people, we can successfully build a democratic media system in Canada!

Steve Anderson National Coordinator

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BUILDING OUR PROFILE

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

Since May 2007, CDM has been

BUILDING the PROFILE for MEDIA REFORM in CANADA 

CDM is the number one source for media democracy in Canada. We provide citizens with online tools and information to help educate; engage politicians and policy makers in media issues; and provide public education and information to support public interest policy work being done in Ottawa.

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CDM has received notable media coverage: -

Our writing has appeared in The Toronto Star, Adbusters, Common Ground, Epoch Times, and Vue Weekly.

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Coverage by the CBC, The Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, Ottawa Citizen, Globe & Mail, as well as numerous blogs and websites.

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CDM’s National Coordinator has appeared on GlobalTV, and our PSA on media concentration was picked up by CBC Exposure and various radio stations.

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We have created a thriving online constituency and mainstay presence using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

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We also have a growing online activist base and at present reach about 12,000 people through our mailing list and social media groups.

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Since our founding, CDM has helped coordinate and raise public awareness for several media democracy campaigns and mini-campaigns like the “Missing Referendum” media content campaign, the Declaration of Journalist Principles, the Free the Journal De Quebec campaign, the Community Media Now campaign, and Media Democracy Day.

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CDM’s website (www.democraticmedia.ca) and its national coordinator Steve Anderson have become goto resources for media, teachers, and interested citizens on media democracy issues.

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MEDIA CONCENTRATION

Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

A handful of Big Media Conglomerates control what Canadians see, hear, and read. This means less local and regional content, more direct control over content by owners, and less analysis of the events that shape our lives. It also means less media choice for Canadians and fewer Canadian journalists covering news and events that Canadians care about.

“Stop The Big Media Takeover”

CDM’s first big campaign was launched in the summer of 2007. “Stop The Big Media Takeover” brought together a diverse group of 60 labour organizations, consumer groups, small businesses, independent and community media outlets, grassroots groups, media watchdog organizations, academics, bloggers, and individuals.

Our campaign helped nearly 2,000 Canadians submit comments to the CRTC’s “Diversity of Voices Proceeding”, urging that they take measures to ensure diversity in Canada’s broadcast media. The pressure put on the CRTC helped prevent further loosening of media concentration rules and the CRTC also decided to have a hearing to address community broadcasting. CDM published both a review of the CRTC “Diversity of Voices” Public Notice (http://democraticmedia.ca/sites/democraticmedia.ca/files/CDM%20review.pdf) as well as excerpts of citizen comments submitted to the CRTC for the Diversity of Voices hearing (http://democraticmedia.ca/sites/democraticmedia.ca/files/crtcdiversity_commentsCC_0.pdf).

A few comments made to the CRTC for the Diversity of Voices hearing in 2007 “I live in Vancouver, the most media concentrated city in North America. There is an illusion of choice, Canada.com, Global TV, National Post, the Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Vancouver Courier; but all are owned by one company.” “Gone, or so it seems, are the days when each paper, station, and magazine offered a different analysis allowing the citizenry to access a diverse range of opinions and analysis which, in my estimation, is what 'fertilizes' a democracy making it possible to flourish.”

“As a journalism student, I am being taught in school that the concentration of media control is something I will just have to learn to deal with. I'm being taught that it's just a sad fact of life that sometimes you just shut up about something important or you risk getting fired because your message doesn't ‘jive’ with the owner of the paper. This is the reason I've decided that, after three years of school, I don't want to be a journalist. It's not worth selling my soul. The only medium that offers any freedom is the small-owned online media specifically BECAUSE it isn't owned by a few rich people with their own agendas.” 5

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

“What the open Internet does, perhaps more than anything else, is allow us to envisions, and in fact produce, a more democratic media system.” – Steve Anderson

Fighting for democratic digital media As big media increasingly merges with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), we risk unwittingly trading our open Internet for a closed system. Big telecommunication companies want to become the gatekeepers of the Internet, charging hefty fees to reach large audiences, as they do with other mediums. They are trying to do away with the governing guidelines of the Internet called Net Neutrality, which stipulates that ISP’s cannot discriminate, manipulate, or interfere with online content or traffic based on its source, ownership, or destination. Net neutrality maintains a level playing field for online innovation and social change and protects our ability to direct our own on-line activities. The recent activity of ISPs limiting, or slowing access to specific content and services is referred to as ‘traffic shaping’ or ‘throttling,’ and it fundamentally changes how the Internet works. Their monopolistic control over the Internet is also scaring away online innovation and threatening to leave us with a last generation Internet as we fall behind many European and Asian countries in terms of Internet access, speed, and cost.

NET NEUTRALITY RALLY PARLIAMENT HILL, OTTAWA

On May 27, 2008, CDM helped organize the Net Neutrality Rally in Ottawa. Supporter turnout reached over 400, some of whom were students of all ages who had skipped school to participate in an issue that hit home for them. The rally attracted media coverage from several news organizations.

“Protesters want Internet Freedom”

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

In 2008 CDM rallied the public behind Internet freedom. After our Net Neutrality rally on Parliament Hill in May, we launched the SaveOurNet.ca Coalition. The coalition is made up of citizens, businesses, and public interest groups calling on Ottawa to stop big Telecom companies from taking control of the Internet. We began building the bedrock of an Internet freedom movement by publishing an informative SaveOurNet.ca flyer, and the go-to resource on Net Neutrality in Canada – our “Fact vs. Fiction” report. Read the SaveOurNet.ca flyer: http://democraticmedia.ca/sites/democraticmedia.ca/files/Net%20Neutrality%20flyer%20-%20June.pdf Read the “Fact vs. Fiction” report: http://saveournet.ca/sites/default/files/SON_FvF.pdf Our public campaigns have gained national media attention and resulted in thousands of Canadians sending their comments to the CRTC. We have propelled Net Neutrality from an obscure issue into a national effort to secure open and equal access to the Internet.

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

Having their say… SaveOurNet.ca has received thousands of comments from supporters across the country detailing their thoughts about what the Internet and net neutrality mean to them. The following is a sample of the common sentiment felt by many: “Every day, access to the Internet becomes more and more important to more and more people. We access the Internet to find information, communicate, and learn. As we move ahead, enlightened countries will be those that treat access to the open Internet as a basic utility, like water and power. We cannot hand over the control of such an important utility to companies who will control how we access the Internet, what we access, and how quickly we access it.”

“I find it horrifying that large corporations may be able to control what I'm seeing online. We do not live in a communist country and big business has no right to dictate what I'm able to see and do online.” “Bell and Rogers have been caught slowing Internet traffic and blocking pages they do not like. This is unacceptable. I can't imagine the CRTC allowing this kind of thing to continue. Personally, I would rather go without the Internet than allow a company to tell me what I'm permitted to access.” “Corporations like Bell and Rogers must not be allowed to control our access to the Web or degrade the quality of service we pay to receive from our Internet service providers.”

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INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT MEDIA MEDIA

Campaign for Democratic Media Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

Media Democracy Day 2008

Media Democracy Day (MDD) is an annual event at the core of an emerging national media education and reform movement. It’s a national day of action based on 3 themes: Education – understanding how the media shapes our world and our democracy; Protest – a media system based on commercialization and exclusiveness; Change – calls for media reforms that respond to public interests, promote diversity, and ensure community representation and accountability. In both 2007 and 2008, CDM took a leading role in coordinating MDD. Events were organized in several cities across Canada including Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, and Montreal. Through panel discussions, keynote speakers, workshops, training sessions, film premiers, and a “Media Democracy Fair”, MDD creates a space for discourse and action on topics like media policy, civil rights, activism, independent media, media literacy, and the future of journalism in Canada. In 2008, thousands of people across the country attended MDD events hosting notable speakers such as; Rex Weyler, Co-founder of Green Peace; David Beers, Founding Editor of TheTyee; Gurpreet Singh, Broadcaster on Radio India; Robert Hackett, professor at SFU and author of “Remaking Media”; Linda McQuaig, Canadian Journalist and best-selling author, Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians; and Murray Dobbin, Vancouver author and journalist.

Many of the sessions and speakers were filmed or photographed and made available as a free public resource online. See pictures and watch videos from MDD at http://www.mediademocracyday.org/

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INDEPENDENT MEDIA

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

Since its inception, participation in Media Democracy Day has increased, as more people become aware of, and interested in media issues. New alliances and networks have been formed and the seeds planted for exciting future collaborations. MDD truly is a space that allows for the coming together of all people to learn about media democracy and media reform – a space in which together, we create new ideas and possibilities for change.

MDD 2008 Participant Feedback: “I used to be one of the members of the MDD steering committee back in the day…I just wanted to say I thought the event was awesome this year…it’s amazing to see it grow. It looks like you’ve been able grow the program and the size of the Media Democracy Fair. Workshops and keynotes were also awesome. The subject matter is staying really relevant and topical so I think you’re able to draw new audience young and old. I really enjoyed Matt Thompson’s talk and it spurred my friend and I to get involved in the issue. I also thought the whole day moved beyond what we used to complain about and really offered up tangible ways that people can act both individually and collectively. I just want say a big congrats for organizing such a great event and I look forward to future MD days!”

Local community radio host Sylvia Richardson making a passionate appeal for citizens to create their own media.

Local journalism student asks local independent media professionals about the future of journalism.

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THE 2008 ELECTION

Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

Making Media an Election Issue The government and elected MPs play a decisive role in determining what information, perspectives, and ideas, are readily available to Canadians as well as how Canadians communicate with one another. During the 2008 election season, CDM sent a series of questions to the five major federal parties to assess their position on media and communication issues. The questions covered media topics concerning local news, community media, funding for the CBC, net neutrality, and cultural funding. We published the policy positions in our report, “Media and Culture: Where do the parties stand“. We made the report available on our website and through our mailing list, and encouraged citizens to review these positions before voting. The full report is available-at: http://democraticmedia.ca/positions08. During the election campaign, we also published our SaveOurNet.ca “Fact vs. Fiction” report about Net Neutrality. CDM encouraged open Internet activists to use the report as a tool to educate fellow citizens and to get their MP’s on record concerning this important issue. Download the full report at: http://saveournet.ca/content/which-candidates-support-openinternet

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LOOKING AHEAD…

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

Making Democratic Media Our First Priority in 2009! The current state of Canada’s media system is quite dismal and filled with uncertainty. Public confidence in media is quickly spiraling downward as we fall victim to government policies that favour big media companies. Journalism in Canada is crumbling as a result of media concentration, the general economic slowdown, and the lack of access to credit. Journalists are being laid off with nowhere to go. While the current transition from analog to digital media and increased utilization of wireless spectrum create new possibilities, a potentially large segment of our population is at risk of being left out of the national conversation.

While a lack of financial support continues to haunt independent media projects, the relatively cheap media distribution system provided by the Internet, makes independent media more viable and accessible. We must not take the openness of the Internet for granted as we have with other mediums in the past. Our goal in 2009 is to give the people of Canada a stronger voice against big media and their well-heeled lobbyists who are threatening democratic communication in this country. We will continue to shine a spotlight on media concentration and foreign ownership issues and work toward making Canada’s media system more democratic and sustainable.

In 2009, CDM will focus efforts on the following core projects and campaigns:    

SaveOurNet.ca: Towards an open and accessible Internet Reinventing Journalism Media Democracy Day 2009 Research Project: Building the Media Democracy Movement

Saving Our Net We will continue working toward keeping the Internet open and closing the digital divide so that everyone in Canada has access to the Internet. Unfortunately, on November 20th the CRTC ruled that Bell could continue to throttle independent ISPs who interconnect with its network. The CRTC’s ruling acts to limit competing ISPs from offering differential services, like providing access to the open Internet.

Annual Report 2008

The battle continues, the CRTC recently announced a new public hearing on the wider issue of traffic shaping (“throttling”). The traffic shaping hearing is our last best chance to have an open Internet in Canada as many of the anti-consumer aspects of the Bell/CAIP decision could be reversed if the hearing comes down in the public’s favour. CDM and the SaveOurNet.ca coalition will continue to lead the charge on behalf Canadians from across the country. 12

LOOKING AHEAD…

Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

Preserve “Net Neutrality” In the coming year, CDM will make a formal, well-publicized submission to the CRTC demanding that Internet Service Providers be held accountable under the Telecom Act if and when they “shape traffic.” We will continue to build a large and diverse SaveOurNet.ca coalition and use it to pressure the CRTC to act on our complaint.

Town Hall Meetings Everyone stands to benefit from a better Internet and the public must become part of the conversation. Recognizing the connection between Canada’s digital divide and Net Neutrality, CDM will work with SaveOurNet.ca coalition members to organize several “Open Internet Town Hall Meetings”. These events will give local citizens the chance to shape the agenda for Canada's broadband future. The Canadian people know better than anyone what changes are needed to improve the Internet in this country. We will also produce a citizen’s tool kit that can be used to help people facilitate their own Town Hall Meetings. Our objective is to gather citizen testimony that Steve Anderson will present to the CRTC at the July 6 “Traffic Management” hearing. We hope to record the town hall meetings and present video testimonials to the CRTC and share them online. The town hall meetings will also help us develop the “Open Internet Declaration” which we will put before MPs and policy makers.

We want to engage the public in discussions on: to ensure Internet services for everyone in Canada;  How the Internet can be a catalyst for economic growth, jobs, and prosperity;  How we can preserve the Internet's level playing field so everyone can access the content, applications, and services of their choice;  What role the federal government, local governments, private industry, and everyday citizens should play in building a better Internet.  How

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LOOKING AHEAD…

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

Reinventing Journalism The primary cause of journalism’s decline in Canada is the highly concentrated media ownership combined with the deepening bottom-line mentality of big media corporations. News outlets, and the journalists that work for them, are increasingly treated as a business expense rather than a unique social institution, essential to a functioning democracy. With the decline of big business financed journalism, this is the perfect time for us to reinvent what journalism should be in the 21st century. In 2009, CDM will run a campaign to “reinvent journalism”, and encourage public support for public interest, independent journalism.

Media Democracy Day 2009 Media reform is about more than policy; it requires public education and a vibrant media democracy movement. Toward this end, CDM will continue to help incubate and animate the media democracy movement in Canada by coorganizing local Media Democracy Day events in several cities across Canada this Fall. This year will see a deepened and widened movement, with a newly diversified collection of activities including panels, workshops, media fairs, keynotes, and screenings. (http://mediademocracyday.org)

Building A Movement: Research Project As CDM continues to build a media democracy movement and broaden our network, we have collaborated with the World Association for Christian Communication and Simon Fraser University communications scholar Robert Hackett to carry out a major research project entitled Revitalizing a Media Reform Movement in Canada. Through an online pilot survey, in-depth interviews, and a strategy workshop with key activists and organization leaders, the project will identify issues, allies, resources, and frames that could give further traction to emerging media reform coalitions in Canada. This project will help CDM move forward in a deliberate, and informed manner – allowing us to leverage and coalesce energy and resources for media democracy in Canada. -

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CDM NETWORK

Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

Organizations in the CDM Network

Adbusters Media Foundation A global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age. They aim to topple existing power structures and forge a major shift in the way we will live in the 21st century.

Canadian Association of Campus and Community Television User Groups and Stations (CACTUS) CACTUS is an online resource and meeting place for campus and community television volunteers, producers, station managers, advocates, and activists.

Council of Canadians Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest citizens’ organization, with members and chapters across the country. They work to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care, and other issues of social . and economic concern to Canadians.

Community Media Education Society C.M.E.S. exists to promote neighbourhood television. They have three goals: participation, public access, and independent administration of the community channel.

Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) CIPPIC was established at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, in the fall of 2003. It is the first legal clinic of its kind in Canada.

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) With more than half a million members across Canada, CUPE represents workers in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services, and airlines.

The Center For Information Awareness (CFIA) CFIA is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to world events and situations by providing free access to world reporting and promoting alternative channels of information

Ruth & Henry Goodman Fund for Social & Ecological Justice The Ruth & Henry Goodman Fund for Social & Ecological Justice is a family fund that assists those organizations who are working to create a more just and equitable world.

Canadians Concerned About Violence in Entertainment (C-CAVE) C-CAVE is an independent national nonprofit public interest organization. It is committed to increasing public awareness about the effects of cultural violence on society.

CMG/CWA Canada The Canadian Media Guild is a democratic trade union, duly recognized and certified under federal and provincial labour legislation. They currently have nearly six thousand members, all of whom work in the Canadian media.

Democracy Watch Democracy Watch's website is the #1 citizen organization website in the world listed when you search the Internet using Google.ca and the search words "democracy" or "government ethics" or "honesty in politics" or "bank accountability" or "corporate responsibility".

The Edmonton Small Press Association (ESPA) The ESPA is a registered non-profit, grassroots and volunteer-operated, arts society with a socially conscious mandate that is committed to fostering the awareness and development of independent small press ventures in Canada and beyond.

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CDM NETWORK

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

National Campus and Community Radio Association The National Campus and Community Radio Association is the non-profit national association of organizations and individuals committed to volunteer-based, communityoriented radio broadcasting.

MediaAction Media Action envisions a media environment, which respects and reflects people in all their diversity, celebrates their capacity and contribution, and nurtures rather than erodes their self-esteem and opportunities. Media Action promotes gender equity through media analysis and action.

NewsWatch Canada Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) PIAC is a non-profit organization that provides legal and research services on behalf of consumer interests, and, in particular, vulnerable consumer interests, concerning the provision of important public services.

NewsWatch Canada undertakes independent research on the diversity and thoroughness of news coverage in Canada's media, with a focus on identifying blind spots and double standards.

World Association of Christian Communication (WACC) North America We are from Canada and the USA, a community of professional journalists, media makers, communications officers, and other media professionals who share a commitment to build a communications environment that is open to all and founded on respect for human dignity.

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CDM STEERING COMMITTEE

Campaign for Democratic Media Annual Report 2008

Arnold Amber:

Meera Karunananthan:

Arnold Amber is the Director of CWA-SCA Canada, a union which represents employees at more than 35 newspapers, news agencies, and broadcasters across Canada. He is also President of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) and Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Previously, Arnold served as a member of the executive of the International Federation of Journalists and was an Executive Producer with the television news department at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where he won three annual Gemini Awards for producing the best television social events coverage. His last two posts at the CBC were as the Executive Producer of the weekly programme Inside Media, and of Newsworld International, the CBC’s former 24 hour, seven days a week all-news channel.

Meera Karunananthan, is media officer at the Council of Canadians, a Citizens’ advocacy organization. She works regularly with mainstream and alternative media to promote social justice issues. Her passion for alternative media began when she helped in setting up Centre des médias alternatifs du Québec, Quebec’s Indymedia centre, prior to the Summit of the Americas in Quebec in April 2001. She has contributed to a number of English and French alternative media outlets including rabble.ca, le journal Alternatives, and CKUT radio in Montreal.

Steve Anderson: Steve Anderson is the current National Coordinator of the Campaign For Democratic Media and co-founder of the SaveOurNet.ca coalition. Steve is an active writer, video producer, and social media consultant, and has worked for The Real News, FreePress, The Center For Media and Democracy, and Free Speech TV. Steve’s writing has appeared in numerous local and national print and online publications such as TheTyee, The Toronto Star, Epoch Times, Adbusters, Canadian Dimension, Rabble.ca, Common Ground, Vue Weekly, and Social Policy Magazine. Steve is a contributing author to Censored 2008: The Top 25 Censored Stories, and Battleground: The Media. Steve also writes a monthly syndicated column called “Media Links”.

Paul Boin: Paul Boin is a Canadian investigative journalist and communications scholar based in Ontario. Paul is the founder of The Real News Network, and is assistant professor of Media Studies, and the Chair of the Graduate Program in Communication and Social Justice at the University of Windsor. Paul is also a co-founder of Media Democracy Day and is an associate with the Transformative Learning Centre.

Kim Elliott: Kim Elliott is Publisher of rabble.ca. Founded in 2001, rabble is Canada's leading online source of progressive independent news and views.

Robert Hackett: Robert A. Hackett is Professor of Communication at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, and co-director of NewsWatch Canada, a media-monitoring project. He has written, co-authored, and co-edited articles, books, and monographs on journalism, political communication, and media representation including Remaking Media: The struggle to democratize public communication (2006, with William Carroll), Democratizing Global Media: One World, Many Struggles (2005, co-edited with Yuezhi Zhao), and News and Dissent: The press and the politics of peace in Canada (1991). Hackett is on the editorial boards of Journalism Studies, Media Development, and Democratic Communique. For over 20 years, he’s been involved in community-based media education and advocacy projects and groups, including Vancouver’s annual Media Democracy Day, the Union for Democratic Communications, and the North American executive committee of WACC, a global NGO concerned with communication for social change.

Sharmeen Khan: Sharmeen Khan is on the board of directors for The National Campus and Community Radio Association, a non-profit national association of organizations and individuals committed to volunteer-based, community-oriented radio broadcasting. She is also an MA student in Communications and Culture at York University and on the editorial collective of Upping the Anti: A Journal of Theory and Action.

Anita Krajnc: Anita Krajnc is a Toronto media democracy activist and writer. She is currently working on a book on protest art and independent media. Anita coordinated the 2007 Media Democracy Day events in Toronto.

Philip Lee: Philip Lee is the Deputy Director of Programmes at the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC). He is also the editor of the international journal Media Development and is responsible for liaison with Africa for WACC. Recent publications include Requiem: Here’s Another Fine Mass You’ve Gotten Me Into (2001); and Many Voices, One Vision: The Right to Communicate in Practice (ed.) (2004).

Michael Lithgow: Michael Lithgow is a long-time community television advocate and organizer from Vancouver, now living in Montreal. He is one of the founding directors of ICTV on the west coast and former member of the Cue Up collective at Video In. He is currently a PhD student at Carleton University.

Andrew Mindszenthy: Andrew Mindszenthy is involved in a range of activism and political organizing focused mainly on anti-poverty, anti-war, disability rights, HIV/AIDS, and media democracy. He co-founded Media Democracy Initiative and is active in groups including AIDS Action Now!, the Toronto Anti-Poverty coalition, and the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee. He also works directly with homeless people. He has previously worked in refugee law doing human rights research, analysis, and advocacy and he studied political economy and critical communication studies at York University. He has experience in various independent media projects.

Garry Neil: Garry Neil is a policy issues management consultant working in all cultural industries, media commentator, and on the board of directors of the Council of Canadians. Garry is the former General Secretary of ACTRA and Vice President of the Canadian Conference of the Arts.

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CDM STEERING COMMITTEE

…working for media democracy in Canada Annual Report 2008

Leslie Regan Shade:

David Skinner:

Leslie Regan Shade is an associate professor at Concordia University in the Department of Communication Studies. Since the mid 1990s, her research has focused on the social, policy and ethical aspects of information and communication technologies, with particular concerns towards issues of gender, globalization, and political economy. Her research contributions straddle the line between academic and nonacademic audiences, including policymakers and non-profit groups. Leslie is the author of Gender and Community in the Social Construction of the Internet (Peter Lang 2002), co-editor of Feminist Interventions in International Communication (with Katharine Sarikakis, Rowman & Littlefield 2008), and author of numerous other publications. She is the former president of the Canadian Communication Association and the former editor of Computers and Society. Leslie is also the editor of CCPA book For Sale to the Highest Bidder: Telecom Policy in Canada, and a Director at Media Action.

David Skinner an Associate Professor in Communication Studies at York University in Toronto. He was the founding chair of the Bachelor of Journalism at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C. Skinner has written a number of articles on media reform, alternative media, and traditional media in Canada and the United States, and is co-editor of Converging Media, Diverging Interests: A Political Economy of News in the United States and Canada (2005, with Mike Gasher and James Compton). Most recently he is co-author on the sixth edition of Mass Communication in Canada (2008, with Rowland Lorimer and Mike Gasher).

Karen Wirsig: Karen Wirsig is the Communications Coordinator for the Canadian Media Guild and is based in Toronto. She was previously a print reporter focused on municipal affairs, and a planner with the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto. She has also been involved in community media projects.

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