Leaders of the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net), a project of the Center for Media Justice, convened in Oakland, CA from April 26- 28 at our annual Anchors Congress.
Our national network of nearly 100 member organizations coordinates media justice campaigns to win communication rights for communities of color. Together, we have reduced prison phone rates, stopped media mergers, expanded broadband access for poor and rural communities, raised our voices against high-tech racial profiling, and won net neutrality to ensure our right to communicate online.
How do we make it all happen? Each year, our network leaders, known as Anchor Members, help to strategize campaigns and set the priorities of the network.
This year, we completed a digital security training with Equality Labs, shared knowledge on current media and technology conditions, and discussed critical interventions we can make as a network.
In addition to strategizing together, MAG-Net Anchors heard from two expert panels to help inform our work:
Our “Find Your Frontlines” panelists – Dia Kayyali of WITNESS, Tia Oso of Black Alliance for Just Immigration, and Dante Barry of Million Hoodies Movement for Justice – reflected on where their organizations are gaining and losing ground, what stories need to be lifted up, and how media and technology conditions are impacting their communities.
“The First 100 Days” examined the biggest media and technology threats to racial and economic justice that have emerged during the first 100 days of Trump’s administration, what they signal about the future and what we can apply towards the resistance. The First 100 Days featured guest speakers Joan Donovan of UCLA, Jessica Gonzalez of Free Press, Brandi Collins of Color of Change, and Cayden Mak of 18 Million Rising.
We also celebrated our members at Enemies of the State: Dinner, Dancing, and Digital Resistance! We opened the night with a performance by Oakland-based singer, Jennifer Johns. The 
party then featured a keynote conversation on digital threats and resistance featuring: Ernesto Falcon, Legislative Counsel at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF); Cayden Mak, Executive Director at 18 Million Rising; Joe Torres, Senior External Affairs Director, Free Press; and Malkia Cyril, Executive Director at Center for Media Justice. The keynote was moderated by journalist and Hip Hop historian, Davey D. Watch our keynote livestream on Facebook.
We left this convening with shared goals, shared vision, and an even deeper love for our community.
