Conference to examine media, social change

‌

A. Sue Weisler

Diane Hope

How does the media use new and traditional ways to reach segments of the population perceived as separate, diverse or “marginal,” and oppositional? These groups are part of the public voice usually heard from the fringes. “In discourse to counter established powers and politics, protest and actions are frequently created by diverse ‘publics’ through webs of Internet and traditional media,” says Diane Hope, the William A. Kern Professor in Communication in RIT’s Department of Communication.

The relationship between social change, media and counterpublics will be the focus of the Kern Communication Symposium, “Counterpublics, Media and Social Change.” The free symposium will be held at RIT from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11-12 in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences auditorium and in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science auditorium. The event will focus on two dimensions of the connections between counterpublics, media and social change.

The presentations on Wednesday will feature talks on “Counterpublics, Media and Democracy,” and on Thursday will focus on “Counterpublics, Media and Environments.” Dana Cloud, associate professor of communication at the University of Texas at Austin, will present, “The Revolutionary Public Sphere,” at 10 a.m. April 11 in the Golisano College auditorium. Visit Kern's website for registration information.