7. Mainstream Television and Alternative TV Practices
participants: Joy Fuqua (Tulane University), Julia Lesage (University of Oregon), Jackie Cook (University of South Australia), Tangi Steen (University of South Australia), Dana Heller (Old Dominion University), Geoffrey Baym (University of North Carolina-Greensboro), moderator: Elizabeth Hansen (University of Texas at Austin)

Question (proposed by Mary Beth Haralovich): This roundtable discusses the relationship between "mainstream" television and "alternative" television practices, with a focus on personal and national health, safety and security. Television shows circulate information and misinformation about personal and national health, safety and security (i.e., legal drama, medical drama, weight-loss shows, fashion shows, etc.). Blogs, websites, free speech news and fake news shows are sources of corrective information and personal empowerment as well as perhaps misinformation. This roundtable considers how specific topics of personal and national health, safety and security (such as, for example, public health, nutrition, terror, constitutional protections) are shaped and presented in mainstream and alternative television. In the process, the roundtable explores relationships and dialogue between "mainstream and alternative" television practices and the usefulness of the concept itself.

Geoffrey Baym's Response

Dana Heller's Response

Julia Lesage's Response

Jackie Cook and Tangi Steen's Response

Joy Fuqua's Response