As the name implies, Davis Media Access (DMA) is a community media center, but it’s generally classified under the larger umbrella of arts and culture organizations. This is one of those things that has bearing as we apply for grants, but it also plays out in our day-to-day work, as we teach both media technology and media arts.
Davis Media Access (DMA) produced a live, election-night program on Nov. 3, 2020, highlighting local races and local ballot measures. The show aired live, and streamed on KDRT and YouTube. Providing free, non-partisan local election coverage to local candidates has been part of our mission for more than 30 years.
Earlier in the season, DMA produced “Meet the Candidates,” a series of short interviews highlighting candidates for races from school board through Congress, as well as local ballot measures—in all, 26 interviews. The media center has also aired forums from the League of Women Voters Davis Area and the Yolo Committee for Diverse and Inclusive Elections. All content is available at https://davismedia.org/election.
Co-hosts are for the evening were DMA's Executive Director Autumn Labbe-Renault, with Davis City Councilmember Dan Carson from 8-9; Davis City Councilmember and former mayor Brett Lee from 9-10, and Davis Mayor Gloria Partida from 10-11.
Davis Media Access (DMA) has completed videoing 26 candidate and campaign statements for local elections. To view link here. DMA is the only nonprofit community media and technology center serving Yolo County, and providing free local election coverage to candidates from school board through Congress has been part of our mission for more than 30 years. Diane Dedoshka, DMA’s Studio Manager and election producer, noted how different this year is from all other years.
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.
This column was originally published in The Davis Enterprise May 8, 2020
By Autumn Labbé-Renault
Special to The Enterprise
All is quiet within Davis Media Access as I wrap Episode 15 of the “COVID-19 Community Report” on KDRT. Last month I wrote about my decision to launch this twice-weekly live radio show.
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.
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.
Dr. Scott hosts Dr. Bela Matyas, Solano County's Public Health Officer, to discuss COVID-19, aka the Coronavirus.
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.
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is attempting to elevate the profits of cable companies over the needs of communities--again.
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
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.
In 2001, Josh Chuck and Greg Louie were roommates and students at UC Davis. Using the facilities at Davis Media Access (then called Davis Community Television), the duo produced 12 episodes of “Davision,” a college variety show.
As the Big Day of Giving – affectionately known as Big DoG—gears up for its sixth year, several local non-profits have teamed up with Sudwerk Brewing Co. to carry on a community event that focuses on fun and philanthropy.
Davis Media Access, Davis Music Festival, Davis Phoenix Coalition, and Soroptimist of Greater Davis are the combined force behind Big Day at the Dock, to be held Thursday, May 2, 2019, from 6-9 p.m. at the Sudwerk Brewing Co. Dock Store, 2001 Second Street in Davis. Davis Media Access and Davis Music Festival began organizing Big DoG events with Sudwerk five years ago, with the event growing and other partners joining over time. This year's event features a record 27 area non-profits participating.
Our Executive Director Autumn Labbe-Renault writes a monthly column on media policy and DMA's work. Check out her latest column here