The Tipping Point for Media Reform

Sorry, you don't seem to understand that what you do in the newsroom is being affected by the media buy-out of all communication under umbrella corporate actions opposed by Mr. Copps former chair of the FCC. Consolidation of all communication aimed at the public is the plan. This is not paranoia and because you worked at a newspaper does not mean that you are aware of all the behind the press issues. What happened twenty years ago is changing raher drastically in the cororate boardroom. Look up Mr. Copps and the FCC but since you don'tknow what i am talking about perhaps it is written better below:

"The Unseen Lies: Journalism As Propaganda
by John Pilger

The following is a transcript of a talk given by John Pilger at Socialism 2007 Conference in Chicago this past June:

The title of this talk is Freedom Next Time, which is the title of my book, and the book is meant as an antidote to the propaganda that is so often disguised as journalism. So I thought I would talk today about journalism, about war by journalism, propaganda, and silence, and how that silence might be broken. Edward Bernays, the so-called father of public relations, wrote about an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. He was referring to journalism, the media. That was almost 80 years ago, not long after corporate journalism was invented. It is a history few journalist talk about or know about, and it began with the arrival of corporate advertising. As the new corporations began taking over the press, something called "professional journalism" was invented. To attract big advertisers, the new corporate press had to appear respectable, pillars of the establishment-objective, impartial, balanced. The first schools of journalism were set up, and a mythology of liberal neutrality was spun around the professional journalist. The right to freedom of expression was associated with the new media and with the great corporations, and the whole thing was, as Robert McChesney put it so well, "entirely bogus".

You may look yo Mr. Pilger as well. I wish you greater edification.

I'm sorry to say, Ike Kay, that I have little idea what you're talking about.

I've spent 20 years in newspapering, which sells advertising and operates as a for-profit company. Advertising affects the size of the daily newspaper, but not editorial policy. We maintain a wall of separation between the two. We really don't know what stories and ads are going to be next to each other until the finished paper is printed. More than once in my career, I've seen a story critical of a person or business right next to an ad on behalf of a person or business.

The FCC has nothing to do with us. We're not subject to any broadcast regulations.

If people are being "brainwashed," as you put it, then they are, to a degree, willing participants, not unlike smokers who then develop cancer. If you don't like TV, don't watch TV.

I agree with much of what you say regarding so-called TV news. My point is that your arguments do not apply to the print medium, so it's inaccurate for you to continue to use the sweeping term "media."

I'm an admirer of Bill Moyers, too.

Mr. Scholar,

While, TV is probably where the majority of Americans get there news, and while there may be some newspapers, not The New York Times (I have not read them all) and some magazines that trumpet some headlines that host a balanced form of reporting, the majority of the "The media" depend on advertising for existence and their points of few are compromised by special interests.

The major media outlets are assembling, with the help of the FCC most of the important news voices, whether print or any other to keep the brainwashing constant for American political control of thought. Surely Scholar, you must be aware of this? Media, thanks to Colin Powel's son is controlling not only TV but print while a few voices in congress oppose this move!

I appreciate that you agree with some of what I say. I know that there are at least two journalists who are fed up with this propaganda that passes for American news but rather is unemployed and Moyers works for PBS. My comment is about media and it is accurate in so many obscure ways!

I'm not going to disagree with Ike Kay. I agree, in fact, with some of his points.

My problem is with Ike Kay's constant, persistent use of the word "media" -- a plural word that means TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, etc. -- when his commentary is entirely about TV. This is a sweeping condemnation that's unfair to the other media. If you're talking about TV, say TV.

My advice is turn off TV and read newspapers or magazines. I also highly recomment National Public Radio. You can avoid most of these problems and still be informed.

The media is out of control this election has shown us just how far it has gone to dumb-down the public. The recent move by ABC to remove candidates from the debates was outrageous. They are trying to determine the fate of the country and the world being mouthpiece for special interests and the government and to silence dissent.

Media censure is unheard, the FCC should rule for the public but like the EPA its teeth are continually drawn. The media has no right to exclude any politician who is running for office as happened recently with the ABC debate. The only exclusion under the rules used by ABC should apply to a candidate not sitting in public office. The license of ABC would be lifted if the rules were changed but the congress, with the exception of a few pushes for more media conglomeration supported by special interests. I hope that someone picks up on this thought. We have seen the obsession by FOX and CNN, particularly in the form of Wolf Blitzer, and the FOX rabid journalists constantly referring to the Rev. Wright controversy recently to obscure so many important issues.

Blitzer's bias is clear. He is quick to use every possible negative he can against Obama from the Flag Pin to anything else he could get his mouth around. His support for Clinton became clear and inappropriate, for CNN to call itself a "fair and balanced" news network. It has become the medias roll to try to change public perception through obfuscation and misquotes. The Bill O, Reilly no nonsense is another example of media present day rubbish. I quote recent statement by Mr. Nichols:
" The media pretense of being a fly on the wall has often been preposterous. In the real world of politics — where power brokers and manipulators proceed with the cynical axiom that perception is reality — the fly on the wall is the wall. The political press corps is not observing reality as much as redefining it while obstructing outlooks and constraining public perceptions."

As usual, few are able to see the stampede of the public sheep created by media. I support the change that Obama represents! He is intelligent and wants America once again to be looked upon as a great nation that it could still be and once was.

The media who carries their continued assault against progressive ideas and those, who would in any way, attempt to bring different thinking to bear on the so called "American Dream" which has become the world's nightmare.

The media must begin to understand its roll as an objective commentator to the necessary changes that must be made to the USA and the world if humanity is to survive. It above all must also be changed to once again give exposure to ideas that facilitate understanding of complex thought on complex issues. A departure from the simplistic superficial treatment ad-nauseam we witness which passes for news.

Media censure is unheard, the FCC should rule for the public but like the EPA its teeth are continually drawn. The media has no right to exclude any politician who is running for office as happened recently with the ABC debate. The ABC's license would be lifted if the rules were changed but the congress, with the exception of a few push for more media conglomeration supported by special interests. I hope that someone picks up on this thought. We have seen the obsession by FOX and CNN, and others in the form of Wolf Blitzer, and the FOX rabid journalists constantly referring to the Rev. Wright controversy.

A flight from entrenched American politics is necessary . . .it has ruined this country and made greed the single value of importance. The young people once again embrace hope as a result of the Obama campaign.

Mr. Gore Vidal, has pointedly criticized mainstream media as one of the major problems, and what is wrong with the USA. The corporate media conglomerates control the message and that message is perversely distorted and panders to its advertising portfolio! Wolf Blitzer one of the glaring examples of this criticism and shows clearly those distorted ideas with his reporting, which is nothing more than partially factual opinion dictated by his bosses.

Blitzer, CNN and the mainstream media have no right to shape public opinion far from being the "fly on the wall" they and the fashion club of female journalists espouses to be they are opinionated lacking in depth. We must remember flies morph from media maggots that the media advertising dollars bloat. These so-called journalists display ignorance as a virtue for the entire world to see, an example of what is considered, by many in America to be news reporting.

If Blitzer and his bunch were billed as a CNN commentator, at least the public would not be hoodwinked to believe their reporting to be the truth, while in fact its lack of concern for accuracy, rectitude and fairness is to surface be considered to be news rather than opinion.

The people of the USA have been so ill informed as to what a change would really do and mean to this country and the change in leadership that is necessary, they have forgotten how to really form an opinion based on fact. A flight from entrenched American politics is necessary . . . it has ruined this country and made greed the single value of importance but no such discussion is ever enjoined in this media. Israel has dropped CNN in favor of Al Jazerza this is the state of American media.

The future leaders, Obama or McCain, should discuss the problems America and the world faces. The problem of public ignorance of the issues caused by the media is serious. In the heat of elections the media panders to voter ignorance in fact creates voter ignorance to promote the wishes of its corporate masters.
Rupert Murdoch, GE, Ted Turner and his self-satisfied belief in truth!

The emphasis, as we see on nightly, so-called news, is constant repetition of candidate's miscues. The result of the media sensationalism becomes, the wrong problem and the wrong message at a crucial time in world history. The emphasis on having the politicians address a credible platform of ideas based on an American and global interaction in the world is critical but this is not the direction US media takes.

There is not enough time left for civilization to focus on rubbish. The energy and environmental issues for example or food and health care are the problems the media should be focusing upon. But to use the Rev, Wright issue for one week, to try and hurt the candidacy of Obama is a travesty. This shows journalism to be what it is as Rather and Bill Moyers understand.

The issues most pressing are once again avoided in present news reporting, those really important issues that must be put before the public who chooses the congress; issues of environment, continued funding of Iraq, energy issues, education, health care, food, global toxicity and so many others not dealt with, all impacting upon the economy and human survival and its state of being, is the failure of public dialog as a result of the current media. . .it is outrageous!

The issue of this election will impact on the environment, economy and the future of the USA as no others. Still, if more than 50% of eligible voters cast their votes it will be a miracle, as a result of regressive US election laws and media obfuscation. It is compulsory for everyone to vote as in Australia it should be so in the USA as well. Few of the candidates are really talking about the major points, even those who are the most erudite, because of the media rules that should be changed in congress, but again its the special interests that control the rules.

The environment in association with the economy or health care and elections reform, to name some, are kept out of public dialog as a result of the nonsense punditry hours on end which is supposed to bring the issues before the public. Donna Brazil is whom we have to rely on to tell us if the world is on the precipice to extinction. The world looks at America and its "star struck reality" in wonder.

The "American Dream" has caused endless abuses to its population, with the false promise of fame and riches that are legend, supported by the Hollywood myth and media indoctrination.

The claim that anyone can be president is manifold. However by some fluke of chance and hard work a man has come along that somehow defied conventional wisdom and possibility. He has made the inroads into populist thinking. However the media does not question him on the environment or the lack of depth of his chosen economist.

The political discussion rests on the complete lack of talking points in isolation. The candidates for the US presidency rarely talk about the complete interrelated package of the issues combined. Obama, alludes to this deficiency in the media and public issues. When he asks for this to occur it lands on deaf ears because the media and special interests do not want this to occur.

Welcome to American politics and their values as represented by the useless thinking of the American media. Between Russet's baseball questions and Blitzer's right wing empty questions, we begin to understand some of the reasons why the American public is considered empty by Europeans standards.

The media reduces the public debate to its most simplistic level with pundits arguing about one inconsequential issue or another rather than the truly important issues of our time. The American people are kept from hearing and understanding the relationship of the entire package of issues, which a true leader must address and deal with for the very survival of America in the world within a global economy. The costs for the war would pay for every single need from health care to American infrastructure repair and education, as well as the alleviation of world hunger and energy research this is what is what is at stake. The media however, deals with Rev. Wright and American Flag lapel pins instead.

A major revaluation of human ethics and goals, in terms of the capitalist ethic and globalization are necessary. The system has gone out of balance we need only look at climate change, one of its prime examples, to know that human survival and the further development of the species is in jeopardy as a result of an economic system out of control. However the media obsessed with Wall Street and their own 401Ks is not interested with the problems of the system that is in opposition to the values of the media boardrooms who support the system in lock-step!

The media keeps the public dumbed down for obvious reasons they represent the moneyed people. As a result the public becomes unable to talk about moving radically toward change and the related issues affecting their very lives and the future. The issues of climate change, energy issues and the global economy not only American economy is the part of the mortgage crisis created by the "free market" system. All the other issues like people losing their homes as a result of Wall Street manipulation are tied to these fundamental problems. These are the first and major issues, which affects all other issues and is completely related to the economic changes, which must take place.

The media board rooms instruct their so-called journalists (news/opinion readers) to stay clear of those subjects that would attack advertising, consumption, tied together in the media collusion with special interests to maintain the consumer system killing the world. Media in collusion with government does not want the changes that would result in the decline of there hundreds of millions of dollars in profits.

All environmental problems are in one way or another associated with the Western world's consumption based lifestyle led by the USA. These issues are affected by consumer advertising much of it coming from the millions spent on advertising of irrelevant product and campaign advertising. The media should be dealing with true American and global issues in this campaign affecting the very basis of the so-called American Dream, fast becoming the global nightmare. This is what the next president of the USA must address

It's unfortunately easy for people standing on the outside to look in at the inner workings of any profession -- medicine, law and criminal justice, politics, and public education for instance -- and see all sorts of conspiracy theories and issue all sorts of broad condemnations that overlook the fact that there's a great deal of nuance, ambiguity and differences of opinion on the inside.

To say that all corporate-owned media care about is profits is to say that all teachers went into teaching so that they could have their summers off. It's an easy shot to take, no matter that it's not true.

I've been a newspaper reporter/editor for 20 years, working at small, family-owned independent newspapers as well as large dailies that are part of nationally owned chains. Here's a couple things I can tell you from the inside.

Newspapers care more than anything else about readership, not profits. Readership is Job No. 1. Here's why: Our belief is that if we give readers what they want, circulation will rise. If circulation rises, we become more attractive to advertisers. If we're more attractive to our advertises, profits will rise. If profits rise, we have more resources to put back into giving what our readers want .... and the cycle continues.

The best way to get your local newspapers to meet your needs is to *subscribe* to it. Then organize with other subscribers. Then go to the editor or publisher with your wish list backed up by your numbers. Hundreds and thousands of subscribers are a gun to a newspaper's head. On the other hand, if you aren't a subscriber or if you threaten to cancel your subscription, you're pointing the gun at your own head. In the first case, we'll make every effort to stop you from pulling the trigger. In the second, why should we care?

The observation above about supporting independent family-owned newspapers just doesn't hold upin reality. They're loaded with the family's personal agenda. Good buddies of the publisher are lauded and enemies are condemned without any rhyme or reason in reality. Corporate-owned papers just don't get involved at that level, and there really are checks and balances on the inside.

The single biggest problem with the news media today is it's operating in an online environment where there are limitless sources of online information, and people now feel empowered and entitled to pick whatever they wish to believe and to disregard the rest. It's an entirely new world out there in which people feel entitled, not only to their own opinion, but also to their own facts.

To put it another way, we've gone from teaching a classroom of 25 kids from the same neighborhood, with similiar life experiences, to teaching a class of 25 people drawn together from a range of different communitites all of whom have their own differing values, traditions, practices and even languages.

Everyone wants news and information custom-tailored to their own particular needs.

"robgo2 June 9th, 2008 2:05 pm — '[A]t some point one has to decide whether to take action or allow others to do so and thus control the course of events.'
Sounds great. But it's the 'or' part that weakens the optimism. Your actions that will disallow others and effectively alter their control over the course of events are what exactly?"

Organize, vote and get others to vote as well. Keep the pressure on elected officials. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but that process is already underway. Barack Obama is not the leader of a movement; he is its vehicle, its messenger. The movement will go on after he has passed from the scene. What is the name of this movement? I would call it simply "the movement to return government to the people." You probably think I am naive. But I have been around more than a few years. I remember Ike, JFK, Nixon and all the rest. I am a student of history and politics. I have been despondent over the state of American politics and society. Even now, I know that there are limits to how much can be accomplished. But for the first time in many years, I see the people beginning to stir from their media induced sleep. The message masters are losing their ability to control the message. It is just beginning. The worst course is to abandon all hope and accept the movement towards fascism as inevitable. Is that what you recommend?

White America is only upset because we are not "winning" our war of conquest and the prices are going up. They still cling to their Insulated White Privilege and "Hope" they will keep what genocide, racism, redlining, and exclusion got for them. Unfortunately, Master does not like them best and Master doesn't share and now IT'S THEIR TURN on the slaughterhouse wheel. Like they said in Chicago in the old days, "Nothing left but the squeal."

Somebody out there knows the exact quote from JP Morgan, "End all home ownership for the buggers. Make them renters. Renters have no rights and no standing. You can walk over them like they weren't even there." That is not literal but conveys his sentiments.

Master doesn't share. Ever. Sorry but this is what white America chose when they decided on a society based on exclusion and war. White America thought they would do well in that kind of society. They made their choice 40 years and every generation has approved that choice since.

Now this abattoir has begun to burn. Don't worry about Master. Master can go anywhere. You get to face HIS Blackwater goons with automatic weapons telling you to get down on all fours - so they can fuck you - and that's for the guys, for the ladies it'll be worse, these are Navy Seals, Special Forces, Delta Force, and Rangers - our Best & Brightest and they are going to show you stuff you didn't know that humans were capable of (things with razor knives and shoe laces)- and we made them what they are today.

No more insulated white privilege kiddies, you're all "niggers on this bus", with all the historic ugliness that word contains.

Pieces of 8

Arvy June 9th, 2008 9:25 am
robgo2 June 9th, 2008 2:05 pm
And at other times.....Nice comments.

"Progressive values and policies are now held by a significant majority of Americans."

I don't believe thats quite true. I believe most are still center right. And I certainly wouldn't call the neocons conservative government. Most of my conservative friends hate their guts.

Sometimes, one gets the impression that we are supposed to think that the media is on the case, so we need not bother. (BTW, how is it humanly possible for Wolf Blitzer to tell his viewers so often that CNN is "the best political team on television?") So, yes, do turn off the TV more and more. But not just media reform is called for. Even more, we need political reform. Get local. Do what feels empowering. Follow your gut and stick to what feels natural, genuine, decent and sincere -- and, just as important, what your head tells you is good and true.

robgo2 June 9th, 2008 2:05 pm -- '[A]t some point one has to decide whether to take action or allow others to do so and thus control the course of events.'

Sounds great. But it's the 'or' part that weakens the optimism. Your actions that will disallow others and effectively alter their control over the course of events are what exactly?

Give me Wright's Choir anyday. There are some very sick and repulsive promoters and supporters of the killing and torturing of innocent people, including children, that do not deserve to join in a beautiful chorus .... church or otherwise.

"The problem is that the capitalist/corporatist 'stacked deck' has evolved to such a point that it heavily outweighs every other factor in determining what is 'politically possible'. Even ardent and optimistic progressives acknowledge that their realistic choices are limited to 'lesser evilism' and hoping that the one they select will ultimately disavow his or her campaign promises and, in effect, doublecross his or her paid sponsors to fulfil their wishes instead."

Arvy, in politics, there is always a tension between what is possible and what is ideal. One can argue endlessly about both sides of that polarity, but at some point one has to decide whether to take action or allow others to do so and thus control the course of events. I am by nature a pragmatist who believes that half a loaf is better than none. I am not a socialist. I believe in captalism within limits and with safeguards against extreme concentrations of wealth and power. This is what most Americans want, even if some on the left consider it bourgeois. Progressives must keep the pressure on those whom we elect. They must be reminded constantly that we expect them to rein in corporate power through campaign finance reform, enforcement of anti-trust laws and media de-consolidation. This will take much work and tenacity, but I believe that the opportunity to effect real change is greater now than it has been in more than a generation.

Bill Moyers speech says it all! Watch it on Democracy Now. Cry! Cheer! Applaude! Go out into the streets and bang pots and pans.

You know, we may indeed be preaching to the choir, or jerking ourselves off, by posting on this website, but the different voices in that choir can make beautiful music when they sing in harmony,..... and it does feel good.

maybe the media could stop their smear campaign on INDUSTRIAL HEMP!! Bring back the plant, watch the Elites power vanish before their very eyes. INDUSTRIAL HEMP NOW!!!! for fuel, for fibre, for food, for meaningful work, for the health of our communities. INDUSTRIAL HEMP NOW!!!!

robgo2 June 9th, 2008 11:01 am -- 'Progressive values and policies are now held by a significant majority of Americans.'

The problem isn't an absence of progressive values amongst Americans. A significant majority have long wished for such things as universal health care that are common to every other advanced nation in the world. Likewise, most Americans have long felt that 'corporate persons' wield far too much power over their daily lives and over governance policies in general.

The problem is that the capitalist/corporatist 'stacked deck' has evolved to such a point that it heavily outweighs every other factor in determining what is 'politically possible'. Even ardent and optimistic progressives acknowledge that their realistic choices are limited to 'lesser evilism' and hoping that the one they select will ultimately disavow his or her campaign promises and, in effect, doublecross his or her paid sponsors to fulfil their wishes instead.

Doubting that likelihood seems more realistic than pessimistic to me. (As just one example see No I Can't: Obama, Israel and AIPAC.) But my pessimism/realism hasn't quite resulted in total paralysis yet.

While I applaud the intent of this conference on media reform, if corporate media schills who feel betrayed or isolated and are looking to get a free pass from me, it is too late. Dan Rather, where were you when the illegal occupation and ensuing calamity began? Why did you not take on Sean Insanity and Chris "Bobblehead" Matthews as they promoted and pushed the drummer to beat the war drum? To me, you could have held the media reform conference in half a day. First, deconsolidate the media. Second, tell the truth no matter how much pressure comes from the top (even if it means risking your job). Third, stand up to fellow corporate schill journalists like Insanity, Matthews, Wallace, and their ilk, and directly take them on. Finally, surround yourselves with likeminded reporters so that you have a strong network of responsible and sensible journalists.

It is not enough simply to stop the forward progress of media consolidation. What is truly needed is to reverse the process to one of de-consolidation. I do not agree with the skeptics and cynics who say that no reform is possible short of armed insurrection. We are now at the beginning of a major shift in the American political life. Progressive values and policies are now held by a significant majority of Americans. People are truly awakening to the fact that conservative government has not served the nation well. But there are no guarantees that this movement will continue. The forces of entrenched power will not surrender without a fight, which is why progressives must be relentless in pushing forward their cause. We have come much farther than almost anyone could have imagined just a few short years ago. This is not the time for paralyzing pessimism.

Truth is certainly elusive, especially when we as a people really do not want to hear that 'we' are the bad guys. Sociopathic behavior has been the mainstream of our country since Columbus first arrived and took slaves home to demonstrate the riches (free labor) that were available in the new world.

Turce: I may be wrong, but it has been my experience that Canadians and USans share more commonalities than differences to such an extent that, in most cases, they require labels and/or announcements to distinguish one from the other.

In fact, as I see it, people are people sharing much the same basic needs and interests everywhere, as well as the same human frailties and imperfections. Unfortunately, a desire to feel superior is among the latter and many of the institutional entities that we create have a strong tendency to emphasize differences for their own purposes.

Everyone always wants a magic bullet. Press this button, problem solved, go on doing something else. Instead, it usually takes a lot of work over time.

Always attack the credibility of the corporate media. Americans actually have a long tradition of not trusting the media. Use that, and their long record of always being wrong (WMD's in Iraq?) and keep attacking. One person at a time, one small group at a time.

Their circulation numbers and ratings numbers are dropping.

But, given that these are corporate entities, they are going to do what the corporation tells them to do. They might try to seem to change to boost ratings, but they aren't going to substantively change. Certainly not because of some letter to the editor or because someone talked bad about them at some conference. Recognize that they are not on our side and will not be on our side. That's why we must constantly attack their credibility. Get it to the point where when they say something people laugh, or when they endorse a candidate, people know enough never to vote for that candidate.

Never vote for a candidate that appears often on TV.

(a) You can't beat the Clinton political machine. True - False

(b) A woman can't run for president of the United States. T / F

(c) A black man will never be the presidential nominee of a major political party in the United States. True - False

(d) Media Reform is not possible. True - False.

If you answered "true" to all of the above. You have my sympathy.

Anything is "possible." Hard work and dedication is what makes most of the "possible" turn into "probable."

Apathy never changed a thing.

Turce,

Calm-the-flarn-filth-down, brother! It ain't good for your liver!

Hollow point June 9th, 2008 5:41 am
I guess that is why I watch CBC ( Canada) news

HUH? oh gosh everyone hollowman moved to canadadadaeara he thikmnmnsb we dokmnb v no weadrft Canada Broadcast News is. Check his dumbass way of inhumane treatment towards CD posters, he fears we lack knowldge, knowledge of the North. Like I said Canadians are wonderful! As if I have always resided in a shoebox, as hollowman has. I have been in Canada for a longer stretch than the time you've wasted ruining our great Canadian friends, they may run you off....

Hollow point June 9th, 2008 5:38 am
Even in Common Dreams we see it. How many times are we posting on a story and look at the source. It is from Canada and that is slowly changing to just a few real news places and the rest from Europe or some left wing place like The Nation etc.
I have said this before. America was invaded on 911 and the media helped in the cover. The US military ( lost nukes) is no longer in control by the American people. The law makers are out of control. Even the police on the streets are not what they use to be.

Hollow point June 9th, 2008 5:41 am
I guess that is why I watch CBC ( Canada) news. I have found they cover a story you never see in the US media. Some programs are banned in the US altogether since they tell the truth.

I have fucking had it with your wise ass, off this site, I am going to report your pissy neocon ass. 3rd time this morning. Piss off or I swear I CAN FIND you, you jerk off. Canadians are truly gracious, they let us know ew let them know. If you hold us in such high contempt why waste your whining assed time, later putz...

I guess that is why I watch CBC ( Canada) news. I have found they cover a story you never see in the US media. Some programs are banned in the US altogether since they tell the truth.

Even in Common Dreams we see it. How many times are we posting on a story and look at the source. It is from Canada and that is slowly changing to just a few real news places and the rest from Europe or some left wing place like The Nation etc.
I have said this before. America was invaded on 911 and the media helped in the cover. The US military ( lost nukes) is no longer in control by the American people. The law makers are out of control. Even the police on the streets are not what they use to be.

I've been talking about Free Speech TV and Democracy Now! around here for ten years. It's hasn't made a bit of difference. Not once has anyone walked up to me and said "Hey, I checked out FSTV on DISH" even to tell me they didn't like it. Nothing. I mentioned it on the local chat forum several times--still nothing. I mentioned these and other alternative media sources in a letter-to the editor-- nothing. These people watch TV sports and American Idol. You could screw open their heads and pour in a gallon of truth, and they'd just tilt their heads and pour it back out, then they'd call the police on you.

I have had it with Keith Olberman. His brilliant editorials have all but vanished.
Last week in the segment called ODDBALL he made sport of the guy who climbed the building in New York . . . omitting that the guy hung out a banner about global warming. The last half year Olberman has spent as much time with insignificant celebrities and other nonentities as Wolf Schlitzer, Tubby Matthews, and all the other corporate twinkies.

Olberman was good while he lasted . . . but I guess that was just to lure people who believe in justice and fair play . . . until they, MSNBC, won top ratings over the competition . . . What a joke!

The sad fact is that Americans have not a single commercial telesource for what's going on anywhere . . . least of all a source for the truth.

Oh yes, the choir has FREE SPEECH TV, DEMOCRACY NOW, BILL MOYERS, ITT NEWS, and LINK TV . . . but the masses know nothing of them and their cable/satellite providers are keeping them a secret.

Write them? Snail Mail to congress is not opened, Anthrax you must know, email 90 days, if so inclined pick up the phone. I have a million toll frees. heres 3, 800-828-0498, 800-459-1887, 800-614-2803.
Media, schmedia. My Congressman, blue balls dem, earmarked close to 100 K for readiness in Anthrax attack preparedness, what a guy, what a guy.

Back when they invented desktop publishing software for personal computers I expected people to start publishing their own community newsletters or newspapers. It never happened. The problem isn't the creation, it's the lack of a distribution system. And paper is fairly expensive, as is ink. You can't just give them away.

But the problem is far deeper. Quite a few Americans simply don't want to be bothered with the truth. The overall attitude around here, at least, seems to be: "Nothing is ever going to change and I'm only one person and one person can't make a difference. So if you don't mind, I'm just going to watch TV and drink...."

^^^^ Of course, change is possible. In fact, it's inevitable. That's not an issue. The question is what kind of change is likely under prevailing conditions.

Some changes are essentially random, but most are directed, or at least influenced, by external factors. Under capitalist systems, influence almost always equates to accumulated wealth. And, with the advent of judicially created 'corporate persons', we ordinary plebians really don't stand any realistic competitive chance at all to influence changes in our common interests.

I do not understand why it is so many people believe nothing can change. History tells us otherwise. I do think that as long as people pass the buck, things will still change, but not in any way that is beneficial to we the people. Ah but what the hey, what's another hundred years in servitude?

This article in my opinion raises the most important quetions about Media Reform-- thier inability to CHALLENGE AND GET INTO THE MAINSTREAM and become part of the electoral discourse etc.

If we are just on our own little websites AND NEVER CHALLENGE THE CORPORATE MEDIA BY CHALLENGING ITS CREDIBILITY FOR THOSE WHO STILL WATCH IT we are taking ourselves out of the game.

THis article examines the issue of Foundation Grants and the ""Radical Media"" Are these Foundations actually
helping America MOVE RIGHT???

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=12916

From a Pilger lecture:

"In one respect, we are more fortunate than you in the west. We believe nothing of what we read in the newspapers and watch on television, nothing of the official truth. Unlike you, we have learned to read between the lines, because real truth is always subversive."

Zdenek Urbánek, dissident novelist in Czechoslovakia

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/pilger.php?articleid=8877

A Rose maybe.

Is Megan Tady a plant?

It won't change because 3000 people went to a conference.

It will change when millions of people just turn off the corporate media

The most important thing we can do at anytime is to constantly attack the credibility of the corporate media. Get people to laugh at anything they say. What we need is for masses of people to just turn them off.

I do hope the 3000 people had fun at the conference. Its not a bad thing.

"Media Reform" is a bit of an oxymoron. There will be no real reform as long as our media is corporate-owned and the news is required to be a profit center. They might change make-up. Put on a more dignified dress (for a while). But, at the end of the day they're still pole dancing for their sponsors.

It's gonna be impossible to reform the media if ALL are in the employ of the Bilderberg group.

I know many here think this source is lacking? But watch the video and listen to the questions.

http://www.infowars.com/?p=2596

Forget "media reform". Its a lost cause. With everything people have now, there's no reason to try to retake what was never yours.

Start your own networks. Start your own papers. Turn-off television news (local and national) or watch it very sparingly. When at all possible, don't buy from their sponsors. Avoid big chains of (whatever) and buy local when you can. TURN THEM OFF.

And most importantly, vote independent, and back family and independent local newspapers

Remember, as with anything: BIG IS BAD.

When corporate media loses a battle (such as the one mentioned in the article abover), they simply regroup, switch to plan B and move rapidly to eliminate the dissenters in their way.
Expect the MSM to use the latest ploy out of the corporate play book by drowning dissenting voices in an avalanche of law suits in an effort to prevent reform.

For an interesting take on this topic, check this column by Dan Carpenter in the Indianapolis paper. He really seems to 'get it' about the captive press and it's consequences.

The truth about Iraq, Scott-free
Posted: June 8, 2008

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080608/OPINION05/80...

Now check the comments (5) to see the most amazing sign of 'cognisant dissonance' I have seen recently.

"Stop kidding yourselves. USA Incorporated, having achieved virtually unfettered control over both governance and its propaganda machinery, will never permit that control to be relinquished by any means short of massive armed insurrection."

Well, maybe armed insurrection is called for. I hope not since the result is usually what was not intended.

I have to wonder how much of the "reality" we see isn't just the result of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Well, if letters to Congress are having an affect, then keep up the pressure:

http://www.house.gov/

Preventing Rupert Murdoch from owning both my newspaper, which I rarely read, and my television, which I rarely watch, falls far short of what's needed, which is to have our progressive message and the truth about a long list of crimes and follies actually broadcast to the tv stations where 90% of the nation's consciousness resides.

But the hard reality of our predicament was reduced to its elements recently when George Monbiot, a British citizen, attempted a citizen's arrest of John Bolton, American war criminal and Iraq invasion conspirator. Monbiot was himself arrested by "300 pound gorillas."

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/03/9380/

And there are the elements: the criminal, the citizen and the policeman. The trouble in Wales was that the policeman worked for and was paid by the criminals. It's the same situation in the U.S. where Bush is immune from impeachment or even public censure. You can be arrested in the U.S. for as little as wearing a tee shirt critical of the war president.

So change and hope will only be possible when the police go unpaid and fail to show. Only the inevitable social and economic collapse of our bs society will eventually allow change. I am steeling myself for turmoil and chaos and welcoming them too.

The recent pushback to the abominable Kevin Martin and his zealous pro-corporate agenda is indeed welcome. As with his equally abominable predecessor, the sooner he is consigned to oblivion, the better.

But I agree with the others that it is far from certain that a bright dawn is rising over the horizion-- it might just be the light from the bonfires built by the near-extinct guardians of honest journalism (before it became an oxymoron) making a last stand.

I agree Arvy. Very glossy and rosy picture of the future painted. Let's just hope media reformers don't swallow their own spin.

[B]efore long, there will be an avalanche to reform the media and transform our democracy.
We should live so long. I long ago lost count of the innumerable "tipping points" that seem to pervade the wishful thinking of the feeble left "progressive" movements in the "greatest (non-)democracy on earth".

Stop kidding yourselves. USA Incorporated, having achieved virtually unfettered control over both governance and its propaganda machinery, will never permit that control to be relinquished by any means short of massive armed insurrection. And even that is highly questionable -- as is sustainability of "net neutrality" as the last bastion of free expression with any chance whatever of reaching a wide audience.