The Our Media network engages in various advocacy activities. For example, Our Media joined 140 Latin American organisations in writing a letter to protest what they considered the exclusionary way in which the World Summit of the Information Society was being planned. This letter was distributed at the World Social Forum and later read at the Summit's regional preparatory meeting.

One of the network's key strategies is implementing a space for public representation, the exchange of information, and the initiation of dialogue through the Our Media site. The site features the network's activities (such as the photo exhibit representing citizens' media projects at the World Social Forum), as well as various resources (like tapes and papers) on citizens' media research, advocacy, and legislation. One brochure includes a selected bibliography and other resources related to citizens' media around the world. Also available for download on the site is the bilingual bimonthly bulletin Net/Red, which features news and public activities of the network.

The network emerged out of the "Our Media, Not Theirs" meetings held in Washington D.C. in May 2001 and Barcelona in July 2002. The next conference (OURmedia III) will take place on May 19 and 20, 2003 in Barranquilla, Colombia. Topics include alternative media, citizens' movements toward the democratisation of media, and community media; for more details, click here. Papers from the past sessions are available on the Our Media site.

Right to Information, Alternative and Community Media.

Our Media's activities are shaped by core principles that organisers frame as follows:

• all communities and collectives have a need, and corresponding right, to communicate, to express themselves, to inform and be informed, to dialogue with others, and to network. These groups are, by extension, entitled to the appropriate ICTs and knowledge to meet their needs
• because access to and participation in the production and distribution of communication and information is unequal in most places across the world, people who work to broaden participation in communication and media should be supported.

Partners

Partner of OURMedia III: Universidad del Norte. Supporters of OURMedia III: The Communication Initiative-Latin America (CILA), the Ford Foundation.