Media-makers Engaged in the Struggle for Social & Environmental Justice
Becoming the Media for the Masses in this Mess Age
Given the recent assaults upon civil liberties like federal profiling of environmental and peace groups as terrorist organizations, increasing media consolidation, attempts to eliminate funding for community access media, surreptitious government propoganda campaigns, environmental de-regulation & the lack of adequate coverage of vital community interests & initiatives by the mainstream corporate media, it is more imperative than ever that those engaged in & aware of environmental & social justice issues begin to share their knowledge, talents and experiences with the greater community by becoming media-makers.
Media-makers Engaged in the Struggle for Social & Environmental Justice (M.E.S.S.E.J.) is a collective of artists, activists and media-makers who make no attempts to hide their bias when reporting or commenting on policy issues or events in the community. M.E.S.S.E.J. members also attempt to create ways of improving the average person's access to alternative media sources and outlets while also working to improve the general availability of media-making supplies & equipment.
M.E.S.S.E.J. will work to create collaborations between community activists and media arts professionals, students & freelancers & to get the products of those collaborations into the various mediums & to create multi-lingual and disabled-accessible versions of such media pieces.
Of primary focus will also be the establishment of a People's Cooperative Media Center as a physical location for media production studios, supplies, equipment, training, events, a library, an information commons & a purchasing cooperative. Increasing the affordability of media making by providing free & discount services, supplies & education will foster an infusion of perspectives previously prohibited by poverty.
M.E.S.S.E.J. will network with other compatible organizations, helping groups to publicize their campaigns & projects & to chronicle their development. Preference will be given to individuals & smaller, newer groups with progressive objectives which are more in need of assistance than most mainstream or established entities. Assistance from more developed or larger organizations, monetary or otherwise, will also be sought to help build up the local resource pool and spread MESSEJ messages further.
The production of Television, Video & Radio pieces will be given particular emphasis due to the availabilty & mass appeal of these mediums. Channeling local productions into national & international media outlets will also be a primary focus.
Attempts will be made to highlight accomplishments and alternative solutions in progressive politics & personal growth, while giving adequate time to explaining issues & problems. When informing the public about social & environmental problems, we will attempt to provide options for action which will add empowerment to enlightenment.
M.E.S.S.E.J. c/o Mylo Roze
219 E. 4th Street
Bloomington, IN 47408
M.E.S.S.E.J.