Rural Media Justice
Communication is a fundamental human right. Yet people in many rural communities, and especially people of color, women, youth and other disenfranchised peoples, are denied this right every day.
Our media justice initiatives work towards digital inclusion, addressing the need for both access and representation so that all rural residents can participate in the national and global conversation about our future. We help rural communities work towards new relationships with media and share a new vision for its control, access, and structure tied to social justice and equity.
Because we're based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we're also able to work with communities of color, including other communities that have been historically marginalized, in the metro area.
The work
MAG-Net (Media Action Grassroots Network)
Main Street Project is regional anchor for the national network whose mission is to build a community-centered movement for just media representation, rules and human right - especially for those pushed to the margins by racism and economic inequity.¡Justice 2. 0 / Justicia 2.0!
Hands-on training for organizations and communities of color on media justice, digital storytelling, and how to effectively use Web 2.0 tools (Facebook, blogs, Twitter) to combat anti-immigrant and racist voices is an important initiative for Main Street Project and our partners.
Justice 2.0 site
PlaceStories site: view stories created by Justice 2.0 digital promotores/as
Media Policy and Advocacy
We're collaborating with other organizations make sure that rural and under-represented voices are heard as communities, states and the federal government actively begin to address today's broadband and communications challenges and opportunities.
Main Street Project is a voting member of the Media and Democracy Coalition, and is organizing a Minnesota-wide Digital Justice Coalition to involve more grassroots organizations in media policy issues.
For information about important principles that should be part of every discussion, read "Broadband Policy: making it work for everyone." (PDF English | Español)