Dear Media Literacy Project friends and family,

Thank you for supporting MLP through our victories and successes in 2009!

Below are the highlights of our work over the past twelve months:

• Provided outreach and information to over 2,000 people on the digital television transition in New Mexico and assisted over 200 people with free converter boxes
• Launched our hate speech website, palabradigna.com
• Hosted the Social Science Research Council on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission as they collected stories on what the Internet means to New Mexicans
• Taught the first media literacy course required of all freshmen at the Media Arts Collaborative Charter School

• As a partner in presente.org’s BastaDobbs campaign successfully ousted Lou Dobbs from CNN
• Participated in the Media Justice Leadership Institute
• Met with Tri-Caucus (Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus) to discuss the positive implications of Universal Broadband and Network Neutrality for communities of color
• Received SouthWest Organizing Project’s Media Justice award for our local community organizing efforts in New Mexico

• Hosted an Albuquerque Town Hall on hate speech and the implications of hate speech for immigrant communities and immigration reform
• Taught media production for Albuquerque Academy’s Girl’s Toolbox summer school course
• Ran our Bad Ad, Counter Ad, and Talk Back to Big Tobacco contests
• Co-coordinated New Mexico’s annual Fame and Shame awards
• Provided trainings and workshops to 2,535 health professionals, youth, teachers, students, and community members



• Helped to pass a Media Literacy Bill in the New Mexico legislation and hosted a Media Literacy Day at the Roundhouse
• Distributed a total of 1,000 free copies of the Media Literacy for Prevention Mini Unit and A Movement, Not a Market resources
• Met with FCC Commissioner Clyburn, Commissioner Copps,  and Chairman Genachowski’s staff to speak in favor of Universal Broadband and Network Neutrality as part of the Media Action Grassroots Network’s (MAG-Net) Policy Advocacy Day in Washington, DC



• Hosted six one-hour Indy Media programs on Quote Unquote Cable Access Channel 27
• Invited to join the Coordinating Committee of MAG-Net
• Officially grew New Mexico MAG-Net partnerships to include Office of African American Affairs, SouthWest Organizing Project, and Quote Unquote Cable Access Channel 27
• Funded 2009 activities with grants from NM Department of Health TUPAC Program, Media Democracy Fund, Leadership Council on Civil Rights, NM Community Foundation, Albuquerque Community Foundation, and individual donors

As you can see, MLP continues to grow to meet the needs of our communities in the changing media landscape. 2010 will be another promising year for MLP! We are hitting the ground running with our  Show Your Love for Broadband campaign. As part of the campaign, we are determined to have the FCC define Broadband as a Universal Service  and create regulations to support Network Neutrality in the national broadband plan to be unveiled on March 17th.

We are relying on your continued support to bring this victory home and to make 2010 another successful year for all of us!

In community,

Andrea Quijada

Join Media Literacy Project and MAG-Net in our Show Your Love for Broadband campaign!

Why?

Universal Broadband and Network Neutrality are basic and fundamental needs that will ensure our communities are connected to families, are able to easily access healthcare information and services, pursue higher education degrees, and have increased economic and employment opportunities.

How can you help?

- Talk it up! The easiest way for you to support Universal Broadband and Network Neutrality is to start talking to your families, neighbors, and friends about the issue. Share your stories of what the Internet means to you.

- Get more information!  MLP’s January deconstruction has helpful information and critical links. Listen to "Broadband in Yo Face", brought to you by MAG-Net and featuring Lady Eloise. Recorded by Steven Renderos and Kris Rios at the Media Justice Leadership Institute.

- Save the Date! February 15, 2010 will be MAG-Net’s national day of action, “Show Your Love for Broadband.”  Media Literacy Project, along with organizations all over the country, will be participating—there will be an event at a location near you. Please call elisa pintor for further details or visit our website.

- Stay tuned! MLP will be providing you with updates on our activities.

- Volunteer! If you have a few extra hours to give to our campaign, please email pintor@aa.edu or call elisa pintor at 505-828-3377.

Media Literacy Project may be visiting your area soon! Please contact us if you would like a presentation in your community. Our upcoming plans include:

January:
23, Las Cruces, NM: Training for middle and elementary school teachers
24-29, Taos, NM: MLP 5-Day Training at Taos Middle School for 7th grade students
25, Albuquerque, NM: FiercePride Committee Meeting

February:
3, Albuquerque, NM: LGTBQI Regional Training for TUPAC Contractors