This year’s Media Democracy Day’s theme looks at ways to effect media and social change. Simon Fraser University School of Communications organizes this annual event at the Vancouver Public Library that showcases a networking zone for journalists, scholars, technologists, entrepreneurs, students and activists.

The event focuses on how media are telling stories that provide solutions to issues facing society and how media can find solutions to its own problems and make public conversations more inclusive, diverse and trustworthy.

To kick off the day, award-winning Gitsxan journalist Angela Sterritt of the CBC and McGill University media philosopher and activist Darin Barney will explore the power and limits of “Solutions Media” as a concept and call to action.

Then, people can attend Solution Media Showcase of 11 examples of British Columbia solutions-focused media, ranging from topics like saving lives amidst the opioid crisis to empowering Indigenous Women.

Some topics for the roundtables and workshops include: rebuilding sustainable media; how can the media better share power with underrepresented or misrepresented communities; Not your average Muslim: Tools for challenging your well-meaning assumptions.

Prizes will be awarded for attendees who help create solutions on the spot in a Design Jam, which has an aim to make media more trustworthy and sustainable.

For more information, please visit www.mediademocracyproject.ca and www.facebook.com/MDDVancouver/