From: fskanes@kean.ucs.mun.ca
Newsgroups: alt.activism,sci.anthropology
Subject: Anthropological News Network
Date: 10 Nov 92 19:10:47 GMT
Article-I.D.: kean.1992Nov10.164047.1
Organization: Memorial University. St.John's Nfld, Canada


                       ANTHROPOLOGY NEWS NETWORK


ANN PROPOSAL


PURPOSE

      It has been noted that the mass media are a socializing device 
through which various participants - political actors, economists, military
leaders and religious figures - present for public consumption models OF 
the world as well as models FOR the world. These models are re-presented by
journalists - usually generalists who claim objectivity by virtue of not 
injecting their own ideas, but who `see' the world through their cultural 
biases and often share the same cultural orientation and biases of those on 
whom they report. Journalists then present and re-present these ideas and 
opinions of others as `objective' news.

     Establishing the `Anthropology News Network' (ANN) will allow 
anthropologists a greater role and voice in shaping public knowledge of the 
world and world events. Through ANN, anthropologists will participate 
directly in the mass media. Participation will mean that anthropological 
perspectives, particularly on the nature of culture and its role in world 
affairs, wil be able to `compete' with other paradigms of reality.

     In an effort to offer a new notion of objectivity, the goal of ANN will 
be to add sociological, cross-cultural and ethnological perspectives to 
news gathering and presentation. It will be the purpose of ANN to present
news that is `bias free' to the point and degree that an ethnographer 
attempts to create  `bias free' accounts of complex human social life in 
all its aspects.

    METHODOLOGY

     In addition to reportorial and editorial staffs, editors and news
directors have at their fingertips news stories from around the world
accessible through wire services. Satellite communications and computer 
modems transmitting through telephone lines have increased the potential 
for acquiring news stories from sources beyond wire services and in house 
staff writers. Using satellite communications, news stories, both `hard 
news' and feature stories, researched and written by anthropologists, will 
be available to editors and news directors through ANN.

     Stories written by participating anthropologists will be faxed, 
modemed or mailed to an ANN `clearing desk' or an ANN Central Desk
(See Host Institutions). These stories will either be placed on the ANN 
wire service in the form in which they are received or, if the style and /
or construction of the story is not journalistically sound, the peice will 
be edited and, if necessary, re-written, In an effort to maintain the 
anthropological integrity of the piece, yet having it conform to what is 
considered `good' journalism (therefore salable), rewrite people will have
training in both anthropology an journalism.

FUNDING AND FROMATION -- PROFIT OR NONPROFIT?

     Because of the expense of starting `from scratch', finding an
existing news wire or electronic BBS to join or share is the first step
in creating ANN. THe expenses of providing labor, postage and computer 
hardware ad software could be met in a variety of ways.

NONPROFIT

     Because the founding agency (THE CENTRE FOR ANTHROPOLOGY AND 
JOURNALISM, INC.) is a 501c3 organization, a grant could cover the initial 
expense of joining a news service or electronic bulletin board as well as 
provide basics such as modems, computer terminals and software, etc. By its
nature, ANN could be construed as an effort to spread the views of an 
`interest group', and if that is the case, few funding agencies will be
interested.

PROFIT

     Private funds from participating anthropologists or anthropological
professional associations (SFAA, AAA, NAPA) could fund initial expenses
and then (perhaps) these same organizations could share in profits (if any)
over and above operating expenses. Participating anthropologists and /or
organizations could be paid `royalties' at the end of a pre-determined 
fiscal year.

RECRUITING

    Recruiting participating anthropologists.
    1) Presenting an information table and/or workshops at national
and regional professional meetings is one way of recruiting participating
anthropologists.
    2) Publishing announcements and seeking interest through the ` 
Cooperation Column' of the ANTHROPOLOGY NEWSLETTER is an additional
way of creating a participating group of anthropologists.

THE NEED FOR `HOST INSTITUTIONS'

    Outside of funding, the birth and growth of ANN will depend on 
host institutions. These institutions do not necessarily  have to provide 
funding but, rather, a cooperative atmosphere (and perhaps some space)
in which participants (probably volunteer) in ANN can operate as applied
anthropologists doing valuable anthropological work. In affiliation, host
instituttions could provide guidance as well as credibility, both necessary
for a creative venture to grow to its fullest. Because of the accent on 
applied anthropology and its proximity to the CAJ Southeastern regional 
location in Tampa, Florida, the anthropology department at the University 
of South Florida (USF), and its Centre for Applied Anthropology, would make
an ideal host institution for `ANN CENTRAL'. It is also positive and useful
that the anthropology and mass communications departments at USF already
share a good relationship.

    Other host institutions will be needed as ANN Clearing Desks or sub 
centrals. Since there are anthropologists already doing `anthro-journalism'
at various locations, having an ANN desk at these locations would be 
helpful in creating a system of new links.

SELLING ANN SERVICES

    1) A `press kit' sent to editors and news directors on a membership 
list, such as listed in their professional magazine (RTNDA), is a good 
initial approach. Presented would be a brief overview of ANN services and 
sample stories.
    2) Some participating anthropologists would be required to visit 
selected news directors and editors in key positions--- NEW YORK, CHICAGO, 
TORONTO, etc,--- to `press the flesh' in order to follow up a press kit
campaign.

ANTHRO*EDIT( A supplemental service )

    Some ANN participants may be interested in a more subjective approach 
to participating in the media. ANTHRO*EDIT could be part of ANN and allow 
an opportunity for anthropologists to write OP-ED pieces and market them 
for profit to newspapers and magazines who take free lance pieces. Anthro*
Editorialists such as David Kertzer, Jack Weatherford, William Beemon and
Randolph Fillmore have successfully written OP-ED.

ANTHRO*GUEST( Another supplemental service )

    Some ANN participants may be interested in appearing on television as 
`expert guests' or in radio interviews. Similar efforts will be made to set 
up an internal bureau to market anthropologists to radio and TV formats.
Jack Weatherford, Molly Schucat and Helen Fisher have made numerous radio 
and TV appearances.

CONCLUSION

    Comments, suggestions and other input are requested. We are 
particularly interested in heaaring from 1) those who would like to 
participate, 2) those who are administrators in anthropological 
organizations, 3) those who have an interest in helping to host ANN Desks
nationally and regionally (U.S. and Canada), 4) those who have working 
knowledge of wire services and electronic bulletin boards, 5) those who 
have constructive comments about any facet of the above proposal including
those who would like to offer text or suggestions for a more detailed 
proposal that would be pointed toward funding organizations.

Pleas send your ideas and comments to:

Randolph Fillmore, Director      OR     Fred Skanes
Anthropological News Network            Department of Anthropology
Box 17445                               Memorial University of Newfoundland
Tampa, Florida                          St. John's, NFLD
33682                                   A1C 5S7
USA                                     E-Mail fskanes@kean.ucs.mun.ca