SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

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The Social Responsibilities Round Table works to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the Association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy.

Learn more about SRRT on the ALA website.

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"Big Media and the Rise of Authoritarianism: How We Fight Back" -- webinar

  • 1.  "Big Media and the Rise of Authoritarianism: How We Fight Back" -- webinar

    Posted 4 hours ago

    Dear colleagues,

    The National Writers Union is hosting a webinar on April 27 regarding the mass media, a topic of great concern to we librarians.  Following are the registration link, a list of speakers and co-sponsors, and a description of the event.   Do consider attending and share with others as you think best.

    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QqLZg_xATp6LDgi6p3xiPg#/registration

    Speakers: 
    -- Dr. Victor Pickard, C. Edwin Baker Professor of Media Policy and Political Economy at the University of Pennsylvania Bluesky: @victorpickard.bsky.social
    -- Matt Pearce, Director of Policy at Rebuild Local News IG: @mattdpearceBluesky: @mattdpearce.com 
    -- Dr. Dan Sinykin from Emory University and author of Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature Bluesky: @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social
    -- Jax Deluca, Executive Director of the Future Film Coalition and former Film and Media Arts Director at the National Endowment for the Arts
    -- Tony Pecinovsky, President of International Publishers

    Co-Sponsors: 
    -- National Writers Union
    -- Freelance Solidarity Project
    -- Free Press
    -- The NewsGuild
    -- Media Power Collaborative
    -- Future Film Coalition
    -- Rebuild Local News
    -- Documentary Producers Alliance

    Event Description: Join the National Writers Union (NWU) and its Digital Media Division the Freelance Solidarity Project (FSP-NWU), NewsGuild-CWA, Rebuild Local News, Media Power Collaborative, Free Press, Documentary Producers Alliance, and the Future Film Coalition on Monday, April 27 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT for a panel discussion on the dangers of media consolidation, how we got here, and what we can do about it.

    In the present-day digital workspace, fueled by increasing media consolidation, media professionals face job scarcity, poor working conditions, few if any workplace benefits, and threats from AI. Media monopolies pose a potent threat to each industry sector that our organizations represent and to U.S. democracy overall.

    Our 75-minute panel discussion on these issues will be led by representatives from the film and entertainment industry, journalism, academia, and book publishing. Following the panel will be time for audience discussion. Media workers, consumers of media, members of media unions, and the general public are invited to this event to reflect on the current landscape and build alliances so we can create a civic media ecosystem outside of major media monopolies.

    In solidarity,

    Elaine



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    Elaine Harger
    Librarian (retired)
    She/Her/Hers,we/all
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