DMA During COVID-19

Since closing the facility on March 13, we’ve navigated a broad range of operational/technical/programmatic and administrative challenges during quarantine. We’ve helped some of our radio and TV volunteers as they’ve navigated producing from home--and commiserated with those who couldn’t.  And we’ve adapted on other levels, working to fill budget gaps that are a byproduct of this time, while striving to respond to community requests for help with events that are now virtual. In short, though the building has been closed, the organization has not!

Through it all, we’ve kept abreast of the ever-changing laws and public health orders. In particular, we are following the guidelines for reopening developed by the John Hopkins Center for Public Health and Yolo County Public Health. Our policy and timeline has been developed by staff, and was vetted and approved by the DMA board at its June meeting.

Life in the Time of COVID-19: The Community Diary Project

Davis Media Access (DMA) invites you to help document the history we’re making during the COVID-19 pandemic by participating in a collaborative, virtual storytelling project here in Yolo County.  Upload videos to https://davismedia.org/diary. Read on to learn more about the project.

Historians are as informed by first-person recollection and ephemera as they are by world events. Think about those who kept diaries during the flu of 1918, or the spread of smallpox through the Americas. What we experience as individuals adds to a greater understanding of the crisis we’re weathering as a whole. In this spirit, DMA is launching Life in the Time of COVID-19: Yolo County Community Diary as a collaborative storytelling project during this time of societal shift.

Upload Diary Submission here

Welcome to the Community Diary Project!

To look at some examples visit our YouTube playlist.

Ready now to start?

1.Using your phone camera create a short diary entry.

2.  Go to Dropbox to upload and follow the instructions it provides asking for name and email and select your video.

You will see when the upload is complete and will be sent a confirmation email.

That's  it and THANK YOU for participating.

DMA During COVID-19

It has been no small challenge these past two months to learn how to manage Davis Media Access and all its projects remotely. But in an effort to protect our community of volunteers, public visitors, and staff, and consistent with current public health guidelines, the media center remains closed. Like everyone else, we're practicing social distancing, and learning to work within our "new normal."

While I'm offering the COVID-19 Community Report on KDRT weekly, DMA's staff is working with KDRT volunteers to start getting other KDRT programmers back on the air, remotely. And it's happening. Check the schedule at kdrt.org to see what's ramping up. Similarly. there are new projects and collaborations percolating behind the scenes at DCTV and DJUSD.tv as well/

DMA's staff is working from home to manage operations. The best way to reach us during this time is email to info@davismedia.org. 

Protecting Community Television - Action Needed

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is attempting to elevate the profits of cable companies over the needs of communities--again.

The Protecting Community Television Act has been introduced in both houses of Congress to reverse the FCC action to relieve cable companies of their financial obligations to support local PEG (Public, Educational, Government) channels in return for exclusive access to the public rights of way. “Community television is a critical part of our society, giving a voice to nonprofits, artists, and other community members who otherwise struggle to be heard,” said Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Silicon Valley). “The FCC’s attempt to gut these important voices is shameful, and I’m proud to introduce legislation with Senator Markey that will protect community television and ensure local voices can be heard.”

Thank you to our 2019-2020 Supporters

During this time of COVID-19, nonprofits are especially at risk, which makes our community support even more vital. As of June 23, we are about $9,000 away from our fundraising goal. Donations—whether by local businesses, donor-advised foundations, events or individuals—keep KDRT on the air, and help support DMA's work on local elections & youth media services. This list includes donors since July 1, 2019. DMA's donors and supporters make possible a great deal of the work we do. We appreciate you! And there is still time to donate before July 1.

$1,000 & Above

Craig & Darien Blomberg

Don & Julie Saylor

Jessica Kelly, via a workplace match from Cisco

$500-$999

Jesse Drew

Sam & Lori Hawk

Dealing with FCC Fallout

This column was originally published in The Davis Enterprise on Sept. 6, 2019

By Autumn Labbé-Renault

Since the Federal Communications Commission voted to tighten rules governing the franchise fees cable companies pay to cities, people are asking me how will it affect Davis, and the public, education, and government channels here — the first two of these operated by Davis Media Access, the third by the city.