Media Reform
At Fandom Forward, we support real net neutrality, work actively to increase the media literacy of our membership, and support free press and fact-based journalism. Here’s some of our campaigns:
Fan Works are Fair Use (2015)
In May 2015, Fandom Forward launched Fan Works are Fair Use. This was initiated to celebrate and protect the works of fan creators. Fandom Forward’s announcement of this initiative expressed the belief that fanfic, wizard rock, fan art, and other fan works are integral to fans' individual experiences of art and literature. It pointed out that even the biggest fan creators know that fan works sometimes get a bad rap. Fan creations can be derided as shameful or silly and we came up with a way to push back against those stereotypes. We encouraged the fandom to talk about fan works on social media using the hashtag #fanworkstaughtme to express everything fan works have given them. The initiative also included information to the fandom concerning the 2015 process of reviewing the copyright law and modernizing the U.S. Copyright Office by the U.S. Congress and let people know this meant that changes could be proposed to the laws that make fan works possible. Fandom Forward made sure that fans were armed with the knowledge to understand the process. People were encouraged to sign up for Fan Works are Fair Use listserv to receive updates about what is happening in the world of copyright and fandom.
Video Creators for Net Neutrality (2014)
In May 2014, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler, proposed a plan to split the internet into fast and slow lanes. This new plan allowed those who could afford it, mainly large telecommunication companies, to have their content stream faster than those who could not afford it, namely small companies, independent artists, and everyone else.
In August 2014, Fandom Forward announced its partnership with Public Knowledge. Public Knowledge is a nonprofit interest group dedicated to preserving the openness of the internet and the public’s access to knowledge. The two groups together formed Video Creators for Net Neutrality. We utilized our network of prominent video bloggers and and existing social media presence to build a constituency of over 20,000 videos with over 18 billion views. In addition to the website, video creators were asked to create videos supporting net neutrality that were shown on a giant billboard outside the FCC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. on September 16-17, 2014. The videos were played for 36 hours and included the following creators: video bloggers Vlogbrothers (John & Hank Green), Hannah Hart, WheezyWaiter, educational creators MinutePhysics, Crash Course, SciShow, the Brain Scoop, Veritasium, and entertainers EpicLloyd, Improv Everywhere, Annoying Orange, Team StarKid.
On September 15, 2014, Fandom Forward and Public Knowledge submitted a petition on net neutrality to the FCC representing over 20,000 content creators and YouTube viewers.
Rocking Out Against Voldemedia (2007)
In December 2007, the StopBigMedia.com Coalition teamed up with Fandom Forward to mobilize thousands of Harry Potter fans against media consolidation. The two groups launched Potterwatch - a website that uses the Harry Potter series to illustrate the dangers of allowing giant corporations to swallow up local, diverse media outlets.
On December 10, 2007, we released a digital compilation online featuring 10 Wizard Rock bands singing about media consolidation in the Wizarding World. The compilation is called “Rocking Out Against Voldemedia” and aimed to build awareness and action against the FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s rush to gut media consolidation rules. Using the Daily Prophet as an example, Fandom Forward educated others about why media consolidation is dangerous to democracy. People were encouraged to download the album and to contact their Senators and ask them to stop the actions that were being taken by the FCC.