CCTV invites area residents to join the live studio audience for the latest edition of the “Critical Focus” TV series which it is co-producing with Somerville Community Access Television (SCAT). This episode, in which an expert panel offers practical tips and strategies for “Changing the Media,” airs this Thursday, May 10th, from 8:00-9:00 p.m., live from CCTV’s studios in Central Square Cambridge. Call John Donovan at 617-661-6900 to reserve your spot in the studio audience

where you’ll be able to see a real-life TV program being made and have the opportunity to ask your questions of the panelists on set. Those who would rather watch from home can view the program on cable channel 10 in Cambridge or cable channel 3 in Somerville, or over the Internet at www.cctvcambridge.org.

The first five episodes of this series have put the media under a microscope and looked at it through a variety of lenses. This last episode takes a different tack, focusing on how concerned citizens can productively convert these media critiques into fruitful actions that begin to change the media. A terrific panel of experts will reveal tips and strategies for both general audiences who are concerned about the media, as well as for people who consider themselves activists.

Says series co-producer John Donovan,“The recent firing of Don Imus shows that it IS possible to change the media, but we want to help viewers realize that they don’t have to wait until major corporate advertisers and the media companies themselves decide to act in the public interest. There are many, many things--even very little things--that every one of us can do to affect the media, hold it accountable, and change it where necessary.”

Panelists for this show include:

Lauren-Glenn Davitian, Executive Director of the CCTV Center for Media & Democracy in Burlington, Vermont. She has worked tirelesssly in support of free speech, public access and open networks since 1982. The Center operates a regional government access/public affairs cable channel, a media production company for non-profits, and a consultancy that delivers media training, technical services, and strategic communications advice to regional nonprofits. As guest editor for Community Media Review, Lauren-Glenn is currently collaborating on an issue to help Community Media Centers take advantage of network-centered organizing and web 2.0 tools.

Steve Provizer, a veteran community radio activist, who founded Radio Free Allston and Allston-Brighton Free Radio and now runs Zumix Radio 1630AM, streaming at zumix.org. For many years a print journalist and editor/producer in both commercial and Public television, Steve learned about low power radio in 1996 and started Radio Free Allston (RFA). Although publicly declaring its illegal status, RFA got great support from all sectors. The FCC closed the station in the fall of 1997. In 2000, hoping to get an LPFM license, Provizer started A-B Free Radio. When the battle for urban LPFM licensing was lost, the station went "pirate." Provizer remained until 2003. In 2004 he set up the infrastructure for GRLZ Radio in Dorchester, an all-girl's station.

Nettrice Gaskins, an artist, educator, youth advocate and community practitioner, who currently serves as the Computer Arts Academic Liaison with the Massachusetts College of Art and adjunct faculty member in the Community Media and Technology Program at the UMass Boston’s College of Public and Community Service. She serves on the Board of the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC). Nettrice has over ten years experience in digital media, education/training, leadership, youth work and program development. She was the director of the Multimedia Center at Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN). She also founded DigitalArt Communities and provided resources to nearly 20 community media and technology centers across the United States interested in creating their own local digital art youth programs.

Danielle Martin, VISTA Leader at the CTC VISTA Project and program coordinator and trainer at massIMPACT. This year, she has been conducting train-the-trainer digital storytelling workshops for massIMPACT’s Spreading the Stories program, and working to bring new programs and collaborations to technology centers in MassHousing technology and community centers. In 2005-6, she served the Community Technology & Media Program at UMass Boston as a curriculum and resource coordinator as well as the Assistant Editor of the Community Technology Review and the Project’s newsletter, the Digest. Prior to that, Danielle was the Technology Director at the Charlestown Boys & Girls Club Computer Clubhouse and a MIT Media Lab IDEAS Institute Fellow.

“We’re excited to have such a great panel for this episode who appreciate the value of community media stations like CCTV and SCAT and who are willing to tackle the taboo subject of media reform,” says John Donovan. “I hope everyone will tune in. And it’s live, so they will have the opportunity to phone or email their questions of the panelists.”

For more information about the Critical Focus TV series, visit the series blog at http://communitymedia.typepad.com/critical_focus. The series is available on DVD for just $10 per episode or $50 for all six episodes. Order online at www.cctvcambridge.org/stores or email John Donovan at john@cctvcambridge.org