When?15th May 2012
Where? Rock City Arts, Castle Lane Bedford
From Libyans tweeting live about the Arab Spring, to community groups microblogging about their local area; ‘Citizen Journalism’ is an increasingly effective way for groups to communicate their message and tell their story.
To encourage more people to become involved, the charity Media Trust is empowering people across the UK to discover citizen media through its online project newsnet. On 15th May, groups from across the UK are being invited to Bedford to attend a workshop hosted by newsnet/Media Trust to find out more about the project.
Media Trust’s newsnet is a free online network showcasing the amazing social change that’s been triggered by local people telling their own hyperlocal stories and creating grassroots campaigns. The site aims to help and inspire everyone to connect, share and learn to tell their local story.
“We want to support community reporters, citizen journalists and local storytellers, and provide them with the tools and skills to be able to tell the stories that matter to their communities, as well as helping them to learn from the experiences of others,” explained Adam Perry of Media Trust. “The aim is to improve the quality and reach of these stories, through increased sharing amongst communities and distribution to mainstream media outlets, including Community Channel‘s UK360 magazine show, which will broadcast some of the best community news stories.”
newsnet provides all the connections and support needed to empower everyone to play their part in creating and sharing their local stories, and only hours after launch, the first piece of community led content has been shared via newsnet. Footage of the fire at the Unigate Dairy, west London filmed by London360 community journalists, has been picked up by ITV News’ London Tonight programme.
Alongside Media Trust’s, Adam Perry will be Erica Roffe of The Bedford Clanger and John Coster of Leicester’s Citizen’s Eye. John founded Citizens’ Eye in 2007 and over four years later it comprises 20 news agencies, each focused on a specific issue from dance and photography to ex-offenders, the homeless and traveller communities.
As well as the citizen media workshop, there will also be an infomation session for community groups, charities, schools, faith groups etc… to discover how they can work with Media Trust to tell their stories. “Media Trust is dedicated to providing groups with the skills and equipment to find their voice,” said Adam Perry. “We are very keen to work with community groups in Bedford who can benefit from our services. We want anyone interested to come along and find out more.”
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE EMAIL: thebedfordclanger@gmail.com
15th May 2012 at Rock City Arts, Castle Lane, Bedford
10am – 12pm: Media Trust community workshop with Adam Perry
- How Media Trust can work with community groups
- Building workshops in Bedford
1.30pm – 4pm: newsnet Citizen Journalism workshop ft. John Coster of Citizens Eye, Leicester and Erica Roffe of The Bedford Clanger
- Introduction to newsnet
- How to blog
- Community contribution to The Bedford Clanger
- Citizen Eye case study
- Become a contributor or DIY…
