The Social Impact of Images and Voices in Challenging Times

Images and Voices of Hope (IVOH) is an organization that celebrates media professionals who are bearers of hope and brighten the sense of possibilities in all of us. Their goal is to host reflective conversations—about 50 so far—on the impact of images and stories portrayed in the global media. Their resolve is to strengthen media as an effective agent of world benefit.

An IVOH Summit is an unconventional convention. Media professionals—writers, artists, producers, documentary makers—come together and share candidly. They are real people, sharing their triumphs with pride and divulging their failures with soft- bellied compassion. Journalism here is a passion, even a calling. As the field has dramatically changed in recent years, journalists have been hit with layoffs three times harder than those in similar job categories. The Internet, the multimedia explosion, and the economic recession continue to morph the shape of journalism and its future. But all of the journalists in attendance here are resilient. As IVOH Director Judy Rodgers said, “Being in transition is in our DNA.”

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