Webcast Panel Discussion: Documentaries and Cultural Diplomacy

Posted on June 9, 2009

Despite the proliferation of global media sources, many viewers in the United States and abroad remain relatively isolated, relying on local outlets for local stories with local points-of-view. What strategies can or should the media use to bridge the international divide and to inspire education, trust and collaborative action? On Friday, June 5, Beyond the Box Blog hosted a live streaming discussion about this issue from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication, which was streamed simultaneously at the Geneva Forum on Social Change, a global event co-sponsored by ITVS with keynote speaker Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 

Moderator Sandy Tolan, journalism professor at USC Annenberg School for Communication, led a discussion about developing media strategies with Enrica Colusso, filmmaker of ABC COLOMBIA; Tamara Gould, vice president of distribution at Independent Television Service International; and Diana Diaz, commissioning editor and head of programming and content at the Radio Televisión Nacional de Colombia. This panel also explored the role of independent and public media in changing the way the world sees America and Americans see the world, and examined case studies of documentary exchanges that connect citizens with citizens through traditional broadcast, new media, outreach and co-production relationships. Missed the live stream? Watch the full discussion below (TRT: 90 minutes):

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