Panelists:

•Michael Albert, co-founder Z Magazine; author, "Participatory Economics"
•Jen Angel, cofounder and former publisher of the now defunct Clamor Magazine, also on board of Allied Media Project
•Elizabeth DiNovella: culture editor, Progressive Magazine
•Nate Jones, Anarchist who works inside a well known corporate media network.
•Miguel Molina, Flashpoints - KPFA, Berekely, CA

Moderator: Scott Harris, Between The Lines Radio Newsmagazine/ Toward Freedom

*Note: Panelists Gerard Colby & Charlotte Dennett are unable to come to Atlanta due to a family emergency

As corporate media in the US continues to distort the news, misinform viewers/readers/listeners and ignore important stories, a growing independent media movement has provided an alternative space for investigation, analysis and discussion of the news. A panel of US and international journalists and activists will discuss the successes and challenges of the current independent media movement in the US.

This workshop will include a critique of US media monopolies and the contrast between independent and corporate media coverage on a variety of issues including: Iraq War reporting, Government violation of the U.S. Constitution and international treaties, Surveillance of U.S. dissident groups, Allegations of Fraud in US 2000 & 2004 Presidential Election, Attempted 2002 coup against Hugo Chavez - US involvement in Haiti Coup(s), US Government response to Hurricane Katrina disaster and US Domestic and Foreign Economic Policy.

Participants will leave the workshop with ideas and insights on the potential of alternative media and how collaboration can enable the movement to become more effective in reaching a wider audience.

This workshop connects best to the theme of "moving beyond criticism toward actually building another world."

The presentations in this workshop will be brief leaving the maximum time possible for interaction and brainstorming between the panelists and the participants.

The workshop will be conducted in English. We are recruiting participants who will be able to provide oral translation into spanish. We do not have the equipment needed for headset translation.

Handouts related to the workshop presentations will be printed and distributed in English.

Alternative media organizations like ours, often find it difficult to secure adequate funding needed to sustain a dedicated, full time staff -enabling our projects to reach larger and more diverse audiences.

Through collaboration and combining resources, regional alternative media organizations can act in concert to raise funds and create new mechanisms for wider distribution of our work.