http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/ The Center for Social Media showcases and analyzes strategies to use media as creative tools for public knowledge and action. It focuses on social documentaries for civil society and democracy, and on the public media environment that supports them. The Center is part of the School of Communication at American University. en-us socialmedia@american.edu Copyright 2010 2010-03-15T14:32:27+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_2.0_field_report_new_muslim_cool_engages_stakeholders_in_the_f 2010-03-15T14:32:27+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_2.0_field_report_new_muslim_cool_engages_stakeholders_in_the_f http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/society_for_cinema_and_media_studies_statement_of_fair_use_for_media_studie Members of the Society for Cinema and Media Studies--film and media studies professors--defined how fair use applies to their research practices. This document concerns fair use in quotation for illustration or proof of argument or to stimulate discussion, whether in text, multimedia, or as media bundled with text. More information is available at the SCMS website Other 2010-02-24T20:59:14+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/society_for_cinema_and_media_studies_statement_of_fair_use_for_media_studie http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/society_for_cinema_and_media_studies_statement_on_fair_use Members of the Society for Cinema and Media Studies--film and media studies professors--defined how fair use applies to their teaching practices. This document concerns fair use in classroom situations, in broadcast, repurposing within new works, and in online distance education. More information is available at the SCMS website. Other 2010-02-24T20:57:29+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/society_for_cinema_and_media_studies_statement_on_fair_use http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/impact_outside_of_the_box_assessing_how_digital_video_can_engage_and_influe 2010-01-27T14:56:04+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/impact_outside_of_the_box_assessing_how_digital_video_can_engage_and_influe http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_pamela_yates_and_paco_de_onis Making Your Media Matter 2009-12-16T19:50:32+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_pamela_yates_and_paco_de_onis http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_jennifer_maytorena_taylor Making Your Media Matter 2009-11-25T16:02:54+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_jennifer_maytorena_taylor http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_michael_tucker_and_petra_epperlein Making Your Media Matter 2009-10-21T16:45:19+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_michael_tucker_and_petra_epperlein http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/code_of_best_practices_in_fair_use_for_opencourseware1 This document is a code of best practices designed to help those preparing OpenCourseWare (OCW) to interpret and apply fair use under United States copyright law. Future of Public Media, Copyright & Fair Use in Teaching, Fair Use Teaching Tools, New Media Practices, Online Video, Policy Issues, Teaching Materials, CSM Feature, Media Literacy, Other 2009-10-15T13:00:39+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/code_of_best_practices_in_fair_use_for_opencourseware1 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_an_interview_with_laura_waters_hinson Making Your Media Matter 2009-10-14T15:55:11+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pull_focus_an_interview_with_laura_waters_hinson http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/CPB_journalism_scan In this report, researchers at American University’s Center for Social Media identify a set of best practices in digital new media journalism intended to guide planning and initiatives in this area specifically for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and more broadly for the Public Service Media community in the US. We offer an overview of the current journalism and public broadcasting environments, derived from a scan of recent reports and interviews with relevant experts, along with a set of identified best practices, bolstered with analysis of specific examples that could be replicated by public media producers. Future of Public Media 2009-09-29T16:45:57+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/CPB_journalism_scan http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/honest_truths_documentary_filmmakers_on_ethical_challenges_in_their_work This study provides a map of perceived ethical challenges that documentary filmmakers—directors and producer-directors—in the United States identify in the practice of their craft. It summarizes the results of 45 long-form interviews in which filmmakers were asked simply to describe recent ethical challenges that surfaced in their work. This baseline research is necessary to begin any inquiry into ethical standards because the field has not yet articulated ethical standards specific to documentary. These interviews demonstrate, indeed, a need for a more public and focused conversation about ethics before any standards emerging from shared experience and values can be articulated. Documentary filmmakers identified themselves as creative artists for whom ethical behavior is at the core of their projects. At a time when there is unprecedented financial pressure on makers to lower costs and increase productivity, filmmakers reported that they routinely found themselves in situations where they needed to balance ethical responsibilities against practical considerations. Their comments can be grouped into three conflicting sets of responsibilities: to their subjects, their viewers, and their own artistic vision and production exigencies. Filmmakers resolved these conflicts on an ad-hoc basis and argued routinely for situational, case-by-case ethical decisions. At the same time, they shared unarticulated general principles and limitations. They commonly shared such principles as, in relation to subjects, “Do no harm” and “Protect the vulnerable,” and, in relation to viewers, “Honor the viewer’s trust.” Filmmakers observed these principles with widely shared limitations. In relation to subjects, they often did not feel obliged to protect subjects who they believed had themselves done harm or who had independent access to media, such as celebrities or corporate executives with their own public relations arms. In relation to viewers, they often justified the manipulation of individual facts, sequences, and meanings of images, if it meant telling a story more effectively and helped viewers grasp the main, and overall truthful, themes of a story. Finally, filmmakers generally expressed frustration in two areas. They daily felt the lack of clarity and standards in ethical practice. They also lacked support for ethical deliberation under typical work pressures. This survey demonstrated that filmmakers generally are acutely aware of moral dimensions of their craft, and of the economic and social pressures that affect them. This study demonstrates the need to have a more public and ongoing conversation about ethical problems in documentary filmmaking. Filmmakers need to develop a more broadly shared understanding of the nature of their problems and to evolve a common understanding of fair ways to balance their various obligations. Future of Public Media, Making Your Media Matter, CSM Feature 2009-09-07T23:00:22+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/honest_truths_documentary_filmmakers_on_ethical_challenges_in_their_work http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/fair_use_in_dance This Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use of Dance-related Materials, produced by the Dance Heritage Coalition, clarifies what librarians, archivists, curators, and others working with dance-related materials currently regard as a reasonable application of the Copyright Act’s fair use doctrine, where the use of copyrighted materials is essential to significant cultural missions and institutional goals. Other 2009-07-10T19:19:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/fair_use_in_dance http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_20_field_report_building_social_media_infrastructure_to_engage 2009-07-07T21:07:54+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_20_field_report_building_social_media_infrastructure_to_engage http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/fair_use_in_online_video This document is a code of best practices that helps creators, online providers, copyright holders, and others interested in the making of online video interpret the copyright doctrine of fair use. Fair use is the right to use copyrighted material without permission or payment under some circumstances. This is a guide to current acceptable practices, drawing on the actual activities of creators, as discussed among other places in the study Recut, Reframe, Recycle: Quoting Copyrighted Material in User-Generated Video and backed by the judgment of a national panel of experts. It also draws, by way of analogy, upon the professional judgment and experience of documentary filmmakers, whose own code of best practices has been recognized throughout the film and television businesses. Copyright & Fair Use in Teaching, Copyright & Fair Use in Documentary Film, Online Video, CSM Feature, Online Video 2009-05-18T15:00:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/fair_use_in_online_video http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/making_your_media_matter_2009_rapporteurs_report On February 12-13 2009, the Center for Social Media (CSM) hosted its 5th annual MAKING YOUR MEDIA MATTER conference. Read this Rapporteur’s Report to learn about the topics discussed and watch videos from the conference. The videos within this report are just part 1 of each panel. If you want to continue on, you can click on the links below the video. Making Your Media Matter 2009-02-27T15:51:58+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/making_your_media_matter_2009_rapporteurs_report http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_2_0_dynamic_engaged_publics Public broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, and network newscasts have all played a central role in our democracy, informing citizens and guiding public conversation. But the top-down dissemination technologies that supported them are being supplanted by an open, many-to-many networked media environment. What platforms, standards, and practices will replace or transform legacy public media? This white paper lays out an expanded vision for “public media 2.0” that places engaged publics at its core, showcasing innovative experiments from its “first two minutes,” and revealing related trends, stakeholders, and policies. Public media 2.0 may look and function differently, but it will share the same goals as the projects that preceded it: educating, informing, and mobilizing its users. Multiplatform, participatory, and digital, public media 2.0 will be an essential feature of truly democratic public life from here on in. And it’ll be media both for and by the public. The grassroots mobilization around the 2008 electoral campaign is just one signal of how digital tools for making and sharing media open up new opportunities for civic engagement. But public media 2.0 won’t happen by accident, or for free. The same bottom-line logic that runs media today will run tomorrow’s media as well. If we’re going to have media for vibrant democratic culture, we have to plan for it, try it out, show people that it matters, and build new constituencies to invest in it. The first and crucial step is to embrace the participatory—the feature that has also been most disruptive of current media models. We also need standards and metrics to define truly meaningful participation in media for public life. And we need policies, initiatives, and sustainable financial models that can turn today’s assets and experiments into tomorrow’s tried-and-true public media. Public media stakeholders, especially such trusted institutions as public broadcasting, need to take leadership in creating a true public investment in public media 2.0. Future of Public Media, Beyond Broadcast, Social Media Distribution, New Media Practices, Policy Issues, CSM Feature 2009-02-16T16:22:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_2_0_dynamic_engaged_publics http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/greenfilm Making Your Media Matter 2009-02-03T23:10:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/greenfilm http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/code_for_media_literacy_education This document is a code of best practices that helps educators using media literacy concepts and techniques to interpret the copyright doctrine of fair use. Fair use is the right to use copyrighted material without permission or payment under some circumstances—especially when the cultural or social benefits of the use are predominant. It is a general right that applies even in situations where the law provides no specific authorization for the use in question—as it does for certain narrowly defined classroom activities. This guide identifies five principles that represent the media literacy education community’s current consensus about acceptable practices for the fair use of copyrighted materials, wherever and however it occurs: in K–12 education, in higher education, in nonprofit organizations that offer programs for children and youth, and in adult education. Copyright & Fair Use in Teaching, CSM Feature, Media Literacy 2008-11-10T22:42:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/code_for_media_literacy_education http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/media_literacy_faq Educators need to make better use of their fair use rights under copyright law. The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education helps clear away the copyright confusion and, in the process, encourage the use of mass media, popular culture and digital media as a means to build students' critical thinking and communication skills. Here, the Media Education Lab answers some common questions about the Code. Copyright & Fair Use in Teaching, Media Literacy 2008-11-10T16:36:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/media_literacy_faq http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/bb08_rap_report The 3rd annual Beyond Broadcast Conference, titled "Mapping Public Media," was held June 17th, 2008 at American University. Roundtable discussions, demos and exhibits examined the explosion of digital, participatory maps as public media, and as tools for visualizing the radical shifts in our media terrain. This rapporteur's report offers highlights of the day's events, and includes audio and video of speakers and multimedia presentations. Future of Public Media, Beyond Broadcast, CSM Feature 2008-07-03T14:24:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/bb08_rap_report http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/beyond_broadcast08_downloads Downloads of the Beyond Broadcast podcasts, videos and other materials, for those who just can't get enough of the 2008 Beyond Broadcast conference! Future of Public Media, Beyond Broadcast, CSM Feature 2008-07-02T22:48:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/beyond_broadcast08_downloads http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_faq In this moment of shifting technologies and emerging platforms, how can we identify public media? Here at the Center for Social Media, we define them as any media expressions or platforms that promote public knowledge and action—that is, the formation of publics that can act together to address common problems. Future of Public Media 2008-04-10T18:58:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/public_media_faq http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mymm08_rap_report Making Your Media Matter 2008-02-27T18:16:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mymm08_rap_report http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mymm_2008_podcast1 Audio podcasts and takeaways from the 2008 Making Your Media Matter conference are now available! We welcome your comments and thoughts about the conference in our discussion forum at the bottom of the page. Making Your Media Matter 2008-02-09T18:16:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mymm_2008_podcast1 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/artists/peter_davis Peter Davis, an Emmy/Peabody Award winner, made waves in the documentary film world with his 1974 film about Vietnam, Hearts and Minds. This incendiary film caused great controversy at the time, and has since become regarded as one of the most grippingly honest films about the Vietnam War ever made. 2008-01-23T23:26:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/artists/peter_davis http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/recut_reframe_recycle Online videos frequently quote copyrighted material without permission, in ways that could be entirely legal through fair use. But these works are threatened by anti-piracy measures that do not distinguish adequately between legal and illegal uses. Future of Public Media, Fair Use Teaching Tools, Copyright & Fair Use in Documentary Film, Online Video, Online Video 2008-01-01T00:17:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/recut_reframe_recycle http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mapping_public_media_inside_and_out This analysis by Center for Social Media Research Director Jessica Clark contrasts the findings revealed by CSM case studies to Govcom.org’s maps of the same media projects, below. Mapping Public Media 2007-12-19T18:45:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mapping_public_media_inside_and_out http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/fair_use_frequently_asked_questions Since the release of The Statement of Best Practices we have received many inquires about fair use. Here are some of our more commonly asked items. Copyright & Fair Use in Documentary Film, Documentary 2007-12-02T19:22:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/fair_use_frequently_asked_questions http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_conclusions Govcom.org's research conclusions Mapping Public Media 2007-11-08T20:24:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_conclusions http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_global_voices Mapping Public Media 2007-11-06T20:23:01+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_global_voices http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/global_publics This case study by CSM Media Fellow Martin Lucas explores the origins, structure, and impact of Global Voices, an international blogging site designed to increase communication across borders and reveal international issues from the perspectives of citizen media-makers. Mapping Public Media 2007-11-05T17:30:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/global_publics http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_the_war_tapes Mapping Public Media 2007-11-04T20:30:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_the_war_tapes http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/war_tapes_case_study This case study by CSM Research Fellow Katja Wittke explores the origins, structure, outreach strategies and impact of The War Tapes, a documentary film about the Iraq conflict that incorporated footage shot by soldiers on the front line. Mapping Public Media 2007-11-03T18:38:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/war_tapes_case_study http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pov_view On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking PBS documentary series P.O.V., the Center for Social Media interviewed several of those who have led the project through its last two decades on the goals, challenges, and the vision for one of television’s most productive sites for imagining and innovating the future of public media. Future of Public Media 2007-11-02T22:33:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/pov_view http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/research_protocol This Govcom.org research protocol explains the methods used to produce the maps featured below. Mapping Public Media 2007-11-01T23:24:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/research_protocol http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/issue_mapping This conceptual essay by Govcom.org’s director Richard Rogers provides additional information about the Issue Crawler toolset. Mapping Public Media 2007-11-01T23:23:01+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/issue_mapping http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_a_lion_in_the_house Mapping Public Media 2007-11-01T21:22:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/map_a_lion_in_the_house http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/a_lion_in_the_house This case study by CSM Research Fellow Barbara Abrash explores the origins and trajectory of A Lion in the House—a documentary project about childhood cancer—focusing on innovative outreach strategies used to extend its impact. Mapping Public Media 2007-11-01T19:35:01+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/a_lion_in_the_house http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mymm "Making Your Media Matter" is a conference for established and aspiring filmmakers, non-profit communications leaders, funders and students looking to learn and share cutting-edge practices for creating media that matters. CSM Feature 2007-10-29T21:17:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/mymm http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/the_cost_of_copyright_confusion_for_media_literacy The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy, based on scores of longform interviews with teachers, shows that the fundamental goals of media literacy education—to cultivate critical thinking and expression about media and its social role—are compromised by unnecessary copyright restrictions. As a result of poor guidance, counterproductive guidelines, and fear, teachers use less effective teaching techniques, teach and transmit erroneous copyright information, fail to share innovative instructional approaches, and do not take advantage of new digital platforms. This is not only unfortunate but unnecessary, since copyright law permits a wide range of uses of copyrighted material without permission or payment. However, educators today have no consensus around what constitutes acceptable fair use practices. The report concludes with a call for educators to develop a consensus around their interpretation of their most valuable copyright tool: fair use. Copyright & Fair Use in Teaching, Media Literacy 2007-09-25T18:40:00+00:00 http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/the_cost_of_copyright_confusion_for_media_literacy