Weave News 10th Anniversary Conference and Call for Proposals

Citizen Journalism as Activism: From Local to Global

The Weave News 10th Anniversary Conference

Eben Holden Center, St. Lawrence University
Canton, New York
September 22-24, 2017

***PROPOSAL DEADLINE: MAY 12, 2017***

Ten years ago, Weave News was founded as a global community of citizen journalists who are committed to weaving a better world. Our organization is directed by a team of seasoned Weave News staffers who assist our contributors in sharing their work via our investigative blogs, Big Questions videography, multimedia projects, and other initiatives. We believe that the work of journalism is too important to be left to mainstream/corporate media outlets whose content is increasingly driven by the interests of powerful elites. For this reason, our work is grounded in the concept of citizen journalism: the idea that ordinary people can act as journalists by gathering and sharing information about what is happening in the world.

Weave News has been highlighting underreported stories and delivering critical news analysis for a decade. We will mark this 10th anniversary occasion by hosting a three-day conference on the St. Lawrence University campus under the theme of:

Citizen Journalism as Activism: From Local to Global

In a world riddled by “alternative facts” and journalists who are denounced by public figures, media consumers are increasingly unsure of how to interpret what’s going on around them. The role of media is transforming; media practitioners can no longer afford to be passive, objective players in society. We believe the role of the citizen journalist is critical to a functioning democracy. Through investigative reporting in communities, advocating for globally-relevant issues on a local scale, and holding corporate media accountable, citizen journalists have the power to change the media narrative–and ultimately, to create avenues of transformation in their communities.

We invite proposals for workshops and topical panel discussions at the 10th Anniversary Conference from new, emerging, and established media scholars; independent and citizen journalists; activists; artists; undergrad and graduate students; and media practitioners.

All workshop proposals should be created with the idea of giving participants tools they can bring back to their communities and put to work. The workshops can be presented in a variety of formats such as paper presentations, powerpoints, artistic interventions, personal technology, and more, but should fit in a 75-90 minute block. Preference will be given to proposals that have a participant engagement component.

We also want to offer participants the opportunity to share their work/research and hold topical panel discussions around the conference theme. Panels will be 60-90 minutes and will include 5-10 minute presentations by panelists, followed by audience questions. If you would like to present on a panel, see below for instructions.  

Possible 10th Anniversary Conference workshop and panel themes:

• Finding truth in an “alternative facts” era

• Investigative blogging

• Reporting ethics and interviewing

• Basic documentary video

• Using social media as activism

• Using public records

• Social movement journalism

• From journalism to dialogue and action

• Other

Workshop proposals should be no more than 2 pages long and include:

• Your name, affiliation (if applicable), email, phone number(s), and mailing address

• Proposed workshop name

• Workshop theme (your theme does not have to fall into the suggested list above)

• Purpose and/or theory behind the workshop

• What skills/competencies participants must have in order to participate (excel, google docs, videography experience); we are encouraging that workshops be accessible for all, but realize some may require a baseline of technical competency

• How the workshop will be executed

• Intended takeaways for participants

• Necessary supplies or technology, if applicable (i.e. projector, speakers, flash cards, etc.)

• You may also highlight any relevant background or experience that applies to your workshop

Topical panel proposals should be no more than 1 page long and include:

• Your name, affiliation (if applicable), email, phone number(s), and mailing address

• A summary of your research and findings

• An explanation of how your research fits into the conference theme

The deadline for proposals is MAY 12, 2017.

Please email as an attachment to WeaveNewsConference@gmail.com with the subject as: WORKSHOP or PANEL and your first and last name.

Submissions will be reviewed by the Steering Committee, with decisions to be announced by May 12, 2017. 

Download a PDF version of the workshop and panel RFP here.

Visit our 10th Anniversary Conference webpage here. 

Questions can be submitted to WeaveNewsConference@gmail.com.