Blog
Independent, grassroots online initiatives find themselves in a strange place these days. As the first wave of online projects like Indymedia wane in the face of the 'web 2.0' “mallification” and “net-sploitation” it can often feel as though the days activists, at least those closely linked to social movements, took a cutting edge role in shaping the web are far gone.
EngageMedia helped to coordinate an independent media centre for Climate Camp Australia 2008 (July 10 - 14) at the Octapod, a not for profit independent arts and new media organisation based in the heart of Newcastle. Around 20 video makers, photographers and bloggers used this space to create their own media coverage of the Climate Camp workshops, discussions and actions to build a community-based movement for real action on climate change. We were able to present our own stories as a counter-measure to the often simplistic and conflict-based accounts presented in the mainstream media. Climate Camp has been a rich and diverse exploration of positive action on climate change, and ways to build alliances by the many different communities who are stepping up their efforts to convince governments to take real action, and to take it now, before it is too late. The major focus of the camp was on coal exports, as Newcastle is the world's largest coal port, and therefore one of Australia's major contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
During Climate Camp, being held in Newcastle between the 10th and 15th of July, 2008, a diverse group of concerned people have converged to protest the damage being caused to the global climate by the coal industry.
Since Plug-in TV’s formation three years ago, it has spawned into an innovative network production house that strives to equip independent filmmakers with technological resources and most importantly, peer- to-peer support.
The uprising in Tibet is highlighting the power and necessity of independent video and do-it-yourself news making. These images have mobilised people around the world to take action for an independent Tibet. We're compiled a list of places where you can find video coverage of the uprisings.
EngageMedia and Ruangrupa would like to announce Transmission Asia-Pacific, a meeting of video activists and free software developers using online video distribution for social justice and media democracy. The meeting will be happening in West Java, Indonesia from May 19-25 2008.
EngageMedia have recently announced the release of Plumi 0.2, the free software video sharing platform. Plumi enables you to create a sophisticated video sharing and community site out-of-the-box. In a web landscape where almost all video sharing sites keep their distribution platform under lock and key Plumi is one contribution to creating a truly democratic media.
There's a lot going on with EngageMedia in February so we thought we should let you know about some of the more important news. We will be participating in a panel and screenings at the Sustainable Living Festival in Melbourne, there are some new improvements to the website, and the release of a new Facebook application to help you share videos from EngageMedia with your friends.
We're very excited to announce that we have just added some big changes to the EngageMedia.org site. You might have noticed the site looks a bit different! These updates help to highlight user contributions much better along with improving the site speed and performance.