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Media Democracy Movement, First Day
May 14, 2005
This weekend I'm attending the National Media Reform Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. An amazing gathering of over 2,000 people who are working for a democratic and just media. So far the first speakers were amazing. From Janine Jackson of FAIR, to Malkia Cyril's passionate and clear articulation of a media justice movement that goes beyond calls for reform, to Amy Goodman's inspiring call for journalists with integrity. It seems like there is more of a broad perspective than the last conference in terms of what we need to do to win. More notes are in the full post, including important words from Juan Gonzalez about the history and future of this movement.
Panel 1:
Juan Gonzalez:
One of the most important leaders for media democracy is C Evert Parker, head of the communications department of the United Church of Christ, who began with the NAACP holding the local network television station. He has never being
Cherokee newspaper in 1828. The first Chinese language daily newspaper in Sacramento. There is a long history of democratic media attempting to break through the stranglehold. Often it has taken the form of independent and ethnic press.
Four pillars of the media democracy movement: (1) public accountability movement, (2) media workers themselves, 300,000 full time workers, (3) independent, non-commercial media (4) non-monopoly commercial media
He talked about building an alliance with the religious conservatives who don't want to expose their children to commercials and sex, etc.
Noami Klein:
The issue of American media is actually a global issue. "When Americans learn geography through war and religion through torture, the world is in crisis."
It's not enough to 'reform' the media, but to revolutionize the media.
What gets amplified? It's not so much about what facts get put through, but what gets amplified to become a story. It's not that there's no outrage, but there's almost too much outrage about strange things.
We have to stop pretending that if the facts are reported, the truth will set us free. We need our own amplification systems.
Compassion relief valves. Terry Schiavo, the Pope.
Simple demand: "Show us the War"
Panel 2: on Media Activism
Inja Coates from Media Tank
They have some great images of the Angels of the Public Interest trying to deliver the magic ball of the public interest to Michael Powel. Try to get those.
Jonathan from Reclaim the Media
Lots of questions that we should be asking Cable Companies.
Posted by Colin at May 14, 2005 2:46 PM
