The Battle of Narratives – Independents in Crisis. Reset! Calling for A New Cultural and Social Contract in Europe

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Moderation: Elise Phamgia

Speakers: Zsuzsa Mekler, Dorian Meeùs, Caterina di Fazio, Steven Van Lummel

Photo Credit: Brice Robert

Launched in France in March 2020, the ‘Appel des Indépendants’ brought together 1,600 cultural entities and independent media structures for a forum that resulted in a manifesto made up of 140 proposals for a new cultural and social contract. This appeal was then pursued at the European level by a collective of 200 structures and independent media from 29 countries.

The aim of the initiative was to flag up the precarious situations facing these actors, who have been left reeling by a crisis that has fueled the monopolistic tendencies of multinational groups and investment funds for whom independent structures in Europe – particularly in the music and media industries – serve as ideal targets. It was also about shining a light on the cultural and media networks at the very heart of our communities, a human grid that is young, aware of social differences and capable of ensuring cultural diversity and pluralism.

Together, the signatories of Reset! are calling for an overhaul of European public policies i...