Small World News is in Libya for the third time since the revolution began. Although the revolutionary edge of the nation’s enthusiasm may have subsided, the enthusiasm itself has not. Libyans are excited to build their country, and actively looking for partners to provide assistance and mentorship. This desire led directly to the creation of our new project, a series of production bootcamps around the country. Throughout May, Louis Abelman and Brian Conley, along with Alive in Libya’s Mohamed M Essul will run a series of workshops across Libya.
We are excited by the broad support we have received from the Doha Centre for Media Freedom. With their support Small World News has developed a program that looks beyond training. We are using the phrase “production bootcamp” because we see each event as more than “training.” Our goal is to work side-by-side with Libyans across the country to produce a series of videos. These videos will form a campaign over the next several weeks encouraging Libyans to vote.
There is a general lack of capacity in the Libyan media to produce short, dynamic news packages quickly. Libyan news currently focuses primarily on talk shows, and studio-based news programming. By encouraging a bootcamp, on-the-job style experience, trainees will learn theory that is quickly informed by practice.
Currently there is also a huge lack of real information about the election. The day before registration began on May 1, many Libyans did not even know where to register. Others were confused about the exact purpose of registration. Furthermore, many Libyans are even unclear about when the elections should occur. Its June 19th according to our latest information, yet many still believe it is June 23rd.
The workshops will bring together a diverse group of media makers in each city. These trainees will work together in a series of production teams, conceiving a story, shooting the story, and finally assembling, all in a matter of days. We have crafted the campaign around the idea that individual Libyans are best suited to convince their fellow citizens to vote. We are attempting to blend short documentary features, telling one individual story, with energetic, get-out-the-vote style language. We hope this innovative approach will connect with average Libyans and educate them about the upcoming election.
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TheRevolutionCenter Congratulates Libya and the WorldLibya has been an inspiration. Libya redmins us once again that freedom must be fought for, it is not cheap, and it must never be taken for granted. Libya has also proven that at least part of the world is willing to stand up for the rights of those fighting to be free. This is indeed a good omen. It doesn’t take many countries to make a huge difference, or bring change to the world.To the Libyan peopleTo the Libyan people I make this plea. The ball is now in your court. How you choose to proceed from this point is of huge importance to the world. I believe that you are about to reshape world history in more ways then we can imagine. This places an enormous burden on Libya and its people. The big question now is, “Are you up to the challenge?”The way forward from here might lead to a number of outcomes, the worst being that Libya becomes a curse to the world, and a lesson as to why we should leave dictatorships to their own devices. Should this outcome arise, the world could enter a new dark age that could take centuries to rectify. An alternative path, with a much better outcome, could be that Libya continues to inspire the world and those dreaming of freedom. Libya could prove once and for all that old enemies and divisive beliefs can be forgotten. At the same time Libya’s success could inspire a whole new round of protests worldwide that focus on individual rights, not the rights of dictators, governments, corporations, and religions. There are those who already argue, and I certainly am one of them, that Libya and the Arab Spring was the catalyst and inspiration needed in the USA that brought us the Wisconsin protests and the Occupy Wall Street movement. It took the Arab movements to remind us what we stand for and to teach us a lesson long forgotten. You can fight City Hall after all. You can be a part of the solution; instead of part of the problem. To the Libyan people, and all Arabs dealing with their own version of the Arab Spring: I salute you. I am inspired by your struggles and marvel at your resilience. I celebrate your new found freedom and wish you the best. My congratulatory tone, and wish for your future, comes with a number of warnings:■Know that freedom is a constant struggle that never ends.■Realize that the world has yet to see a perfect democracy. Democracy is constantly evolving.■If you are corrupted by religious extremists or big money, democracy and freedom will die.■DO NOT COPY THE VERSION OF DEMOCRACY YOU SEE IN THE USA. We are corrupted by religious extremists and big money. Only a 2nd revolution in this country will change the unequal system we now live under.As a final note: Don’t ever give up. It will take vision, national pride, hard work, and a lot of luck, but millions outside of Libya are willing to help and have faith in you. Do not let the world down.In the end it could be the Libyans who teach mankind the true meaning of freedom. It could be the Libyans who bring us a new style of government that is truly of the people, for the people, and by the people.
In this time of victory, this is a most urnget appeal to the Libyan youth:Stand firm against those conservative elements within the revolution which do not limit their religious views to their own practice but wish to implement their will to the society in general.The TNC leadership has decided to choose sharia law without asking Libyab4s youth the legitimate role to overthrow Gaddafi does not include the implementation of religious program.Stand up now for a new and free civil society with a the right of individual self-determination for all people. Othervise, Libyab4s young people will suffer# when the first person who puts in doubt religious laws will be jailed# when the first person who criticises the governments religios views will be jailed# when the first demonstrators for individual freedoms will be persecuted# when schools and the justice system form a society in which your are punished for . your political views . your sexual behaviour . your western life style , i.e. alcohol, videos, internet, religious freedoms . your freedom to choose your own form of religion or abondon it.Indeed, there is a test for freedom anyone can practice the Sharansky-test I quote from Wikipedia: If a person cannot walk into the middle of the town square and express his or her views without fear of arrest, imprisonment, or physical harm, then that person is living in a fear society, not a free society. We cannot rest until every person living in a fear society has finally won their freedom. Here we are. What are the opponents saying?Natan Sharansky is a Jew, an Israeli politician. There is no place for Jews and Christians in our islamic Libya, all have to practice sharia law? No peace with the zionists, no two states-solution? Human rights only within the sharia law.Well, my fellow Libyan youths the Libyan spring is over the Libyan summer only lasted for a few days October 20th -22nd. On October 23rd the old guard already went on to march to a new Libyan winter. They announced the start of autumn season already .Stand up, brave youth of Benghazi, Tripoli, Sirt and all regions of the country. It is your future if you hesitate now, it will take another generation to claim it.Your fight is not over yet.
[...] their blog, Small World News explains the work they are doing to support citizen media production in Libya. [...]