The Literary Reportage program at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute will host a celebration of the launch of Deca, a global journalism cooperative owned by 10 award-winning writers based around the world, on Thurs., Nov. 6.
The evening will include a panel discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of cooperative structures in a time of media upheaval and technological change. Deca’s writers, who include Pulitzer-Prize finalist Mara Hvistendahl in Shanghai, Beautiful Thing author Sonia Faleiro in London and India, and recent Frontline Club Award winner Rania Abouzeid in Beirut, have banded together to create, promote, and distribute narrative journalism in digital form. The panel will explore how cooperatives work—or don't: When journalists and artists step outside traditional institutions, what is gained and what is left behind? Can collectives ever be organized? Can writers edit? Can creatives do spreadsheets?
Panelists are as follows: Deca writer Vanessa Gezari, an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism; Ron Haviv, conflict photographer and co-founder of VII Photo; Esquire senior features editor Tyler Cabot; Magnum and New York Magazine photographer Christopher Anderson; radio host and Radiotopia founding member Benjamen Walker; and music producer and songwriter Daniel Knobler, co-founder of Brooklyn's Mason Jar Music.
All attendees will receive a complimentary three-story subscription to Deca’s stories. The event is free and open to the public. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 212.998.7980. Subways: 6, Astor Place; N, R, 8th Street.