Defend Honest Journalism About Social Movements

“Please support me in crafting my voice and sharpening my tools.”

By Anya Bird
Class of 2011, School of Authentic Journalism

May 2, 2011

My name is Anya Bird. I have recently been admitted to the Narco News School of Authentic Journalism – Class of 2011. During an intensive 10-day apprenticeship in Mexico, I will be given hands-on training in viral video and movement strategies by a faculty of volunteer teachers from around the world. Although the school has awarded me a partial scholarship, I am seeking support from my community to help fund the expenses of room and board as well as additional travel expenses.

Anya Bird

Raised within a community of hardworking idealists in the Eastern Townships in Quebec, I grew up struggling with the definition of poverty. What if poverty isn’t something measured by the amount of money in the bank, but rather, as my mama told me, by the quality of the food I eat, the culture I share, the love of my family, and the effort I put into my community?

In order to find out, I took to the streets. For almost ten years I lived, loved and worked within the Montreal community, supporting sex workers, street punks, drug users and the homeless. During that time, I provided active listening, accompaniment and support to stigmatized populations. I learned the basics of directing, shooting and editing short films, organized community events, workshops on new media, and documented life on the streets with homelessnation.org.

The Narco News School of Authentic Journalism is now offering to help me consolidate my skills in participatory media through an intensive, ten day apprenticeship in Mexico City this May. My interest in the school stems from its commitment to journalism as a part of a social movement, a concept difficult to find within traditional institutions. As someone who has sought alternative ways of learning and gained much through experience on the ground, I feel comforted in knowing that there is a school based on principles like horizontal learning processes and skill building. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to learn from such an amazing selection of journalists, professors, and community organizers from around the world.

I look forward to developing better technical abilities and autonomy in new media (editing, uploading, etc.) through hands-on experience with the viral video workgroup. I also look forward to benefiting from the discussion of the dynamics within a social movement and the delicate task of providing lucid and balanced reporting on issues one is involved with.

Narco News has created the opportunity for people from around the world to benefit from practical, strategic and ethical training in community-based journalism. Please help them support me in crafting my voice and sharpening my tools. Through your generous contribution, participate in creating hope and inspiration.

Please make a donation today, online, at this link:

http://www.authenticjournalism.org

Or you can make a check out to:

The Fund for Authentic Journalism
PO Box 1446
Easthampton, MA 01027 USA

Many thanks,
Anya Bird

Lea Ud. el Artículo en Español

For more Narco News, click here.