MEDIA RELEASE School of Communication, Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6

Journalism, Indigenous Voices & Media Policies highlighted at MDD Discussing media ethics from a diverse, multi-media & political perspective VANCOUVER, BC October 25, 2011 Media Democracy Days Saturday events will open with a keynote address from well-known journalist and social-justice activist Judy Rebick. Ten Years of Transforming the Media: From Rabble to Twitter, will draw on Rebicks extensive experience in the evolving field of communication, and set the stage for discussion to be carried on throughout various panels on Saturday November 12 at the Vancouver Public Library. Linda Solomon, founder and editor-in-chief of the Vancouver Observer, will moderate The Future of Journalism: Crisis & Opportunities, a panel exploring the changing profession of journalism, as well as the limits and possibilities to arise in times to come. Speakers will include The Tyee founding editor David Beers, investigative reporter and UBC School of Journalism faculty member, Peter Klein, and Karen Pinchin, founding editor of the community-generated OpenFile Vancouver. [VPL, 1:00pm, Alice McKay Room] Running concurrently, Indigenous Choices, Indigenous Voices: Aboriginal Uses of Media will explore the changing role of new media in bringing voice to aboriginal issues in BC. Speakers will include Duncan McCue, reporter for CBC-TV news, Candis Callison, Assistant Professor at the UBC School of Journalism, Don Bain, Executive Director of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and will be moderated by Gunargie OSullivan, long time community broadcaster with CFRO & CJSF radio. [VPL, 1:00pm, Peter Kaye Room] Following this discussion in the same location, will be Media Policies for a Democratic Future: A Multi-Party Panel presenting speakers from various federal political parties, including deputy NDP leader and longstanding MP, Libby Davies, Federal Liberal BC Caucus Chair and MP, Hedy Fry, and Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada and the organizations first federally elected Parliamentary representative. [VPL, 2:30pm, Alice MacKay Room] Taking place on Saturday November 12, these panels represent the diversity of discussion and expansive examination of Canadas media landscape, which Media Democracy Days promises to provoke. As per tradition, all factions of MDD are free to attend, though seating is limited. Pre-registration is therefore recommended and can be completed at http://mediademocracyday2011.eventbrite.com/. About Media Democracy Day: Launched simultaneously in Vancouver and Toronto in 2001, MDD responded to a growing global media democratization movement. This movement seeks to create a more participatory media system by supporting independent and public service media production, celebrating innovation and creating dialogue around the politics and biases linked to our increasingly corporate and concentrated media. To learn more, visit http://www.mediademocracyday.org.

About the School of Communication: For more than 35 years, the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University has fostered the development of critical, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of media and technology with a commitment to social theory and political economy. Led by an award-winning team of educators, the School of Communication is at the leading edge of media policy research, technological innovation and cultural transformation on a global scale. For more information, visit http://cmns.sfu.ca. About OpenMedia.ca: OpenMedia.ca is a national, non-partisan, non-profit public engagement organization working to advance and support an open and innovative communications system in Canada. Our primary goal is to increase public awareness and informed participation in Canadian media, cultural, information and telecommunication policy formation. More at: http://openmedia.ca. About Vancouver Public Library: Vancouver Public Library is one of Canada's largest library systems and is dedicated to meeting the lifelong learning, reading, recreation and information needs of the people of Vancouver. Annually, the landmark Central Library and 20 neighbourhood branches serve over 5 million visitors who borrow almost 10 million items, including books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and countless online resources. For more information about the Library, call 604-331-3603 or visit http://www.vpl.ca Media Contact: Gala Milne, Lead Coordinator, Media Democracy Day 2011 Office: (778) 782.7353 mddcoordinator@gmail.com

More information: www.mediademocracyday.org ###