Progressive Publics

In a time of multiple and intensifying crises, Progressive Publics is rooted in a commitment to social justice and asserts that both the academy and the media are public goods that have crucial and entwined roles to play in critical analysis and knowledge mobilization and dissemination.

This project triangulates three sectors—independent media, the academy, and the broader public—through connecting crucial questions of the present and how to live collectively in more just relation to media and scholarly communication to promote access, social justice, and community engagement.

The second Progressive Publics Symposium will take place in Montreal on February 28th and March 1st, hosted by Dr. Shama Rangwala (YorkU) and Andre Goulet (Harbinger) and featuring interviews, academic panels and a live variety show with scholars and the independent journalism community in conversations exploring surveillance and prison abolition, Canadian media and Palestine, data justice, the future of journalism and more.

DAY 1: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1

FRIDAY, February 1st at 1pm FREELANCE JOURNALISM WORKSHOP

(Room 1.605, EV Building)

Presented by The Canadian Freelance Union & Community University Television

• featuring The Rover editor Savannah Stewart and guests

FRIDAY, February 1st at 2pm INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM SUMMIT

(Room 1.605, EV Building)

• Featuring Pivot, The Rover, The Breach, L'Étoile du Nord, Ricochet, À bâbord, La Converse, Unrigged, The Inspirit Foundation and others

Bringing together independent media organizers and journalists, researchers, and funders to share their strategic proposals for independent media in Montreal, responding to the particular media ecosystem and its challenges and opportunities.

FRIDAY, February 1st at 6pm LIVE VARIETY SHOW

(Reggie’s Co-op Bar, Hall Building - 2F)

• Panel curated by L'Étoile du Nord and À bâbord
• Live show curated by Unrigged and the Harbinger Media podcast community

Featuring Pivot editor-in-chief Claire Ross, independent journalist Rachel Gilmore, Harbinger Media broadcasters Megan Linton and Paris Marx and the New Feeling music journalism cooperative

DAY 2: SATURDAY MARCH 1

SATURDAY, March 1st from 11am-5pm ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM

(Room 1.605, EV Building)

Panels connecting public scholarship, journalism and independent media curated by the Data Justice Hub, le coop de solidarité Pivot, Montreal community journalists The Rover and La Converse, Palestine advocacy organization Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, think tank le Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques, journalism advocacy group Femmes Experts and investigative journalism publisher The Breach

• Light refreshments provided from Nilufar Catering
• Masking is welcome -masks and sanitizer will be available at the door