13th November- Norwich Radical Panel discussion

13th Nov 2017

Beyond The Tab- Exploring the radical frontier of student media

Panel discussion

I was a panel member for this event and represented the Norwich Radical. Below are my notes for the event. The very fertile discussion regarding student media threw up masses of ideas around the progressive possibilities.

Introduction

Thank you for having me here.

Hello I’m Laura Potts and I write for the Norwich Radical. I write within the student section yet my work spans quite broadly across art and politics, mainly as I believe these can not be separated in the modern world.

Main points

-Commitment-Although many people are interested and I have had a lot of support and interest verbally. This doesn't always translate to commitment, through reading and engagement. Although there are a wealth of opportunities and student media is such a fertile area, engagement is lacking. This something I talk a lot about within my work. I look at the issues of the media we have and the education system that have raised a generation who do not feel they are in control of the nws and the interpretation of the information they are being fed.

-Cognitive dissonance within students leading to ignoring of facts and important issues

Dissonance being the feeling of conflicting information leading to discomfort and often then blocked out. Very constant bombardment and the ability to separate these out into possible action

-Lack of large scale support for alternative media; therefore a lot of personal effort which can be difficult for many who may already work/and a degree

-Dissociation, purposely created in society and mainly media, from wider issues

Question answers-

• Which area/topic do you think we student media folk should do more to investigate, showcase or otherwise cover?

Past revolution that has happened as a result of the young. I do think enough areas are covered by a wide range of writers though, especially at the radical anyway, however I feel more advice is needed. Not a direct condensing type of advice but personal engagement with the reader to try and gain favour.

• What advice would you give to someone disillusioned by the state of student media in their area and looking to start a new project?

Engage with as many sources as possible. Read as much as you can and talk to people about if they also are aware. This tends to spark and emotion and then inspiration. It is hard to not get disillusioned considering the tough situation we find ourselves in.

• Apart from those here represented, which are your favourite student or alternative media outlets/organisations?

Verso is probably one of my favourite radical outlets. It is a publication but it produces around 100 books a year so the work is often very current. I read a lot of work by them that runs parallel to the themes that often crop up in many articles regarding student and alternative media.