Media Alliance
Media Alliance is a 41-year-old American media resource and advocacy center for media workers, non-profit organizations, and social justice activists. Its mission is excellence, ethics, diversity, and accountability in all aspects of the media in the interests of peace, justice, and social responsibility. Through policy work and grassroots organizing, Media Alliance aims to ensure the unfettered flow of information by keeping media accessible, accountable, diverse and free from government control and corporate dominance. Media Alliance is a 501(c)(3) public charity, NTEE Code: A30—Media, Communications Organizations.
Media Alliance was founded in 1976 by a group of media workers to unite the professional media community with the public interest communities of the Bay Area.
Awards
Media Alliance has received acclaim nationally for its advocacy work on behalf of micro radio broadcasters against the National Association of Broadcasters and National Public Radio, and on behalf of the Pacifica Radio Network. It currently focuses on communication policy including broadcast ownership, the future of the Internet and digital surveillance.
Issues
- Holding big media accountable to community needs
Works to ensure that local radio, TV and newspaper outlets are meeting the needs of diverse communities. Tactics include conducting media monitoring, convening town hall forums and meetings with media representatives, and when appropriate, organizing for changes at outlets that are not fulfilling their public interest obligations.
- Opening The Internet For Everyone - net neutrality and the digital divide
Internet freedom is under heavy attack by telecom giants who are spending billions to try to eradicate the core principal of net neutrality. These mega-corporations also exacerbate the digital divide with discriminatory redlining practices. MA works to bridge the digital divide and make sure the Internet stays open for us all.
- Defending press freedom and media workers' rights
Initially founded as a legal defense committee for journalists under fire, MA supports media workers in organizing for better working conditions, freedom from government harassment, and increased resources for rigorous, investigative, community-based reporting.
- Digital Surveillance
Tracking, spying and profiling are turning the liberatory power of electronic communications into a nightmare for activists, whistleblowers and other vulnerable communities. MA is leading on local responses to bulk surveillance, police militarization, predictive algorithims, social media monitoring and crackdowns on free expression, the right to dissent and movements for social justice.
- Training and Media capacity building
Media Alliance offers workshops for nonprofit staffers and activists - in three ways. A regular calendar of "Communication Skills for Social Justice Workshops" features working professionals and affordable fees. Customized workshops are available for groups of five or more. MA provides capacity building training to under-represented groups to reframe media myths and deliver authentic first-voice expression on social justice issues.
- Job listings
Jobfile is a weekly listing of media-related positions in Northern California. It features full-time, part-time and freelance jobs and internships in print media, film, video, graphic design, broadcast and public relations.
People
- Executive Director: Tracy Rosenberg 2007-current
- 2002-2007 Jeffrey Pearlstein
- 1997-2002 Andrea Buffa
- 1994-1997 Erika Wudtke
Contact
Pacific Felt Factory 2830 20th Street, Suite 102 San Francisco CA 94110
See also
- Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC
- Media democracy
- Citizen media
- Prometheus Radio Project
- Pacifica Radio Network