Davis Media Access: Strength in localism

I’m pleased to share with you Davis Media Access’ annual report and financials for 2011-12, available at davismedia.org/content/davis-media-access-annual-and-financial-reports. The report helps us tell the big-picture story of where DMA fits in, both locally and in the larger community media movement. It illustrates how we leverage limited resources in support of a really big mission — to provide digital media and technology equipment and training that builds skills, furthers job readiness and connects our community in myriad ways.

Our work with volunteers and community organizations continues to yield an abundance of local content. The ability to see, hear and respond to what matters most in our community — keeping it local — helps us stay strong. Our location in the midst of a large and culturally diverse county, with a world-class university at our doorstep, makes this content unique and rich.

Here’s some recent content now airing on DCTV Channel 15 on Comcast Davis and DJUSD TV Channel 17 on Comcast Davis, with both channels carried at Menu 99 on AT&T’s U-verse. Where episodes are available online, I’ve included links:

* On Feb. 19, Saving California Communities hosted a community forum on “Breaking the Cycle of Gun Violence” in the Community Chambers at City Hall, with Dr. Garen Wintemute and Amanda and Nick Wilcox. https://dctv.davismedia.org/node/39482

* Surface water project forum: The People’s Vanguard of Davis and DMA sponsored a round-table community forum Feb. 2 on Measure I in the Community Chambers. https://dctv.davismedia.org/node/39269

* “Parent University: An Evening with Madeline Levine, Ph.D.,” author of the New York Times bestsellers “The Price of Privilege” and  “Teach Your Children Well.” Presented by Davis Communitywide K-12 Parent Education Collaborative and DJUSD Climate Committee and moderated by Pamela Wu. https://dctv.davismedia.org/node/39412

* “The 19th annual city of Davis Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.” Recorded Jan. 21 at the Varsity Theatre in Davis. Among other highlights, it features a discussion on “The New Jim Crow,” with panelists Sasha Abramsky, Cruz Reynoso, Joe Schwartz and Bernita Toney. https://dctv.davismedia.org/node/39290

* ”United States Bicycling Hall of Fame 2012.” Inductee Tom Ritchey gives a heartfelt acceptance speech, touching on topics relevant to competitive bicycling and the bicycling industry today. https://dctv.davismedia.org/node/39130

* TechnoCult Radio, an original program series created by the students of UC Davis technocultural studies 112 in fall 2012.  The “Live Radio Theatre” was recorded in multiple sessions at DMA’s studio. https://dctv.davismedia.org/node/39115

* “In The Studio.” DMA produces four episodes of “In the Studio” each month to provide a platform for exploring issues of local interest. Training is provided primarily just before and during the shows, making these programs a hands-on learning lab for studio production.

The most recent segments highlight Davis Community Meals, local firefighters demonstrating the PulsePoint app, Mars rover mission, Mexican indigenous farmworkers’ health and cultural change and impacts of migration on health. https://dctv.davismedia.org/node/39258

* KDRT has numerous new programs and many old favorites. Get a complete schedule, listen live or visit the archives and catch a podcast, all at kdrt.org. Please note the newly revamped website.

* DJUSD TV: DMA Production Manager Jeff Shaw, Crew Leader Cliff Gamble and our intrepid high school interns recently recorded five different basketball games (boys and girls), including girls and boys senior appreciation nights and Break the Record Night. Also recorded was the Davis Community Idol finalists contest on Feb. 2.

Please note: DJUSD hasn’t determined policy that will let us post these programs online, but they air on Comcast Channel 17 in Davis and you can order copies of such programs at http://djusd.tv/content/dvd-order-page.

Davis Media Access will celebrate our 25th anniversary this October. As the year unfolds, there will be multiple ways to celebrate and support this legacy and ongoing work. I hope our paths cross often!

— Autumn Labbé-Renault is executive director of Davis Media Access, an organization providing access to, and advocacy for, local media. She writes this column monthly. Find out more about DMA at http://davismedia.org, “like” the organization on Facebook or follow her tweets at @davismediaccess