Local programs garner national honors

CAN TV programs, Free Spirit Media News and The Dinner Party, won top awards as part of Alliance for Community Media’s National Hometown Media Awards to be held this August in Pasadena, California.

Depression, violence and other problems faced by teens are the subject of “Teens in Crisis,” the winning Cultural Perspective program by student producers of Free Spirit Media News’ South Crew. Free Spirit founder, Jeff McCarter says, “CAN TV has become a key part of Free Spirit Media’s mission to cultivate diverse youth voices to transform media and society.”

Elysabeth Alfano won in the Web Based Program category for The Dinner Party, now also available on CAN TV. Art, culture, and current affairs all fuel the conversations Alfano holds with celebrity guests over dinner prepared by a prominent chef.

The Hometown Media Awards honor programs on local public access cable channels that address community needs, develop diverse community involvement, challenge conventional commercial television formats, and move viewers to experience television in a different way.

CAN TV protects people’s right to speak and be heard, teaches skills toward independent media use, and includes more local voices than any other network in Chicago.