Press Pass TV

On Tuesday, June 30th, the Commonwealth CORI Coalition held a press conference and lobby day to advocate for reform of our state’s criminal record system. Speakers included Boston Mayor Menino, Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral and the lead sponsors of the bill in the senate and in the house: Senator Hariette Chandler and Representative Liz Malia. Press Pass TV was there to cover the action.

Another sneak preview from the season 5 DVD is now available. Check out this story that Press Pass TV produced with the Boston Area Youth Organizing Project about their campaign to create an accesible youth public transportation pass.

Press Pass TV teamed up with City Schools and the Adobe Youth Voices initiative this spring to produce a segment on the relationship between standardized testing and the increased drop out rate in Massachusetts. Last week at the WGBH headquarters in Boston, Adobe screened the work done by students from other AYV programs, with the Press Pass TV-City Schools team taking an award for the story with the strongest message.

On May 10, 2009 the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute held the 15th Annual Mother’s Walk for Peace. Press Pass TV was there to capture this powerful event and talk to the Institute about the important work that they do. For more information, visit them at www.louisdbrownpeaceinstitute.com

Check out this new video, premiered at our June 4th screening and directed by the INCREDIBLY talented Rene Dongo and produced by Press Pass TV

Mr. President from Rene Dongo on Vimeo.

Check out the rest here

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        Contact: Joanna Marinova 617.288.4917
Joanna@presspasstv.org

Boston Non-Profit Engages Youth in Solutions to Community Violence

Sponsored by the Boston Foundation, guests of honor included Boston’s Chief of Human Services, Larry Mayes, who was awarded with a Community Media Champion Award.

On June 4, 2009, Press Pass TV brought together more than 100 community leaders, youth, parents and philanthropists to celebrate the release of 8 new short videos created by youth “It was a remarkable gathering of Boston’s young leadership engaging and empowering the youth” commented Charlie Rose, Executive Director of City Year.  The videos all focus on solutions to the epidemic violence threatening the health of our city. Working with organizations throughout the city, including The Boston-area Youth Organizing Project (BYOP), the City School, Project RIGHT, the ACLU of Massachusetts and the Science Club for Girls, Press Pass TV put together an exciting and informative program of videos showcasing the amazing talents of Boston’s youth “Press Pass TV is the now future of news media. Is it organic, presenting the true stories of people and bringing journalism to life” said Larry Mayes, Chief of Human Services for the City of Boston.

The screening was attended by representatives from the Mayor’s Office, Former State Representative Mel King, prominent local funders like the Boston Foundation and the Hyams Foundation, several community organizations, and youth media makers and their peers.

Two awards were presented to Press Pass TV youth- Kevin Thomas and Nine Tran, and The Mayor’s Chief of Human Services Larry Mayes was awarded the 1st Annual Lew Hill Community Media Champion Award for ongoing commitment to community based media.

Attendants were impressed with the composition of the pieces, as well as the youth producers’ ability to dig into timely subject matter like solutions to youth violence, the drop out crisis and student rights in the schools. The Audience was particularly inspired by the 20-minute news documentary (IN) Correction, which examined the role of jails and prisons in the increasing rates of domestic violence homicide. Almost every piece screened was produced by youth who only 3 months ago had never picked up a camera or a microphone, youth who now have an important role in documenting the stories of their community. And community is what the night was all about. This remarkable night brought the community together from all corners of Boston to really highlight and discuss solutions to the most pressing issues facing Boston today. Attendants also enjoyed live graffiti by local group Retract and food provided by B.Good.

About Press Pass TV:

Press Pass TV is dedicated to youth produced journalistic content that creates a clear entry point for civic engagement both for the viewers and for the creators. We envision a media that transforms passive viewers into active citizens who have realized the power of their own voice. The videos that the young people produced are a testimony of the spirit, energy and dedication of the people showcasing all the good that is being done in their communities.

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Press Pass Tv is excited to invite you to our upcoming screening of the 5th Season, including work from many different organizations that we’ve been working with, and the premiere of our first investigative report.

We are asking for a suggested donation of $10. To purchase in advance, click here:

Tuesday morning, City Councilor Chuck Turner’s office released a 20 year study of homicides in Boston.

Perhaps the most profound discovery was that the study found that in over half of the murders in the last 10 years there were no arrests. The study also notes that young people ages 14-25 are the most likely to be victims of homicide. The study resulted in the formation of Community Uniting for Change, an association of several stakeholders who will engage in community dialogue with the goal of reducing the violence in Boston. Press Pass TV’s Richard Prophete caught up with some of these community stakeholders at the press conference for the study.

We have had an overwhelming wave of support in helping us get our story out there the last few days. We want to thank everyone for their work and commitment, including Vanessa Rhinesmith at Left Behind Bottle Caps, Jenn Pozner at WIMN FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) and of course the Dorchester Reporter and Open Media Boston who stepped up to support youth media from the start.

We’ve also gotten a lot of support via Twitter, Facebook and listervs on media and media reform. Thanks to all who are using their people power to spread the word!