Media reform and social justice were the call this past weekend in Minneapolis. A diverse population, ranging from former media luminaries like Dan Rather, Bill Moyers, and Phil Donahue to local activists of no name, came together at the National Conference for Media Reform to dialogue and strategize. Their collective mission was to be the change they wanted to see and to work together to formulate an agenda of transparent, honest and informative journalism that will allow for a more just and caring democracy benefiting not only individuals but the communities where they live.
Although talk of corporate owned media is often written off as conspiracy theory or the practice of Fascist states, former mainstream stars such as Rather, Moyers, former MSNBC's Jeff Cohen and Madison 's own John Nichols all had a similar message; our media is currently owned by five or six corporate giants. But, and maybe more significantly, these corporate monopolies show no shame in distorting the news towards their and the current administration's agenda of wealth and top down domination.
The war in Iraq was highlighted throughout the conference as one of the prime examples of corporate distortion. As Rather pointed out, mainstream media seemed to drop the ball in the build up to a pre-emptive war by not asking questions that would facilitate a balanced and insightful dialogue. He and many of the other presenters emphasized that tough questions might have uncovered the lies we were told, the lack of judgment in invading Iraq, and the fabricated involvement of Saddam in 9-11. And, speaker after speaker was quick to point out, that post war revelations substantiate their hypothesis.
Phil Donahue piggy-backed on the media's dropping the ball with his claim that mainstream media further fostered the administrationʼs agenda of Imperialism by hiring "expert" consultants based specifically on Pentagon recommendations, directing panel discussions on Sunday morning news shows be overloaded with War sympathizers, and painting anyone who questioned the wisdom of the war as unpatriotic. Using his own No. 1 rated talk show as an example, Donahue and others, such as Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, pointed out that if you didnʼt go along you were forced out into the cold.
By establishing that mainstream media has become a corporate lackey and tool for social control through fear, hate and misinformation - or no information - speakers were fast to suggest that the Internet will be the next target for private control and suppression. Oft lauded as the only remaining public venue for free expression since the homogenizing of NPR and Local Community Cable Networks, speakers stated the Internet provides a balance to corporate media power. But equal access to the internet, or "net neutrality" is under threat from media corporations which are also internet service providers, who want to give higher priority - and faster transmission - to data from their own sponsors or media interests. Speakers urged conference attendees to return home, connect and mobilize with their friends and community in a grassroots groundswell of support for Internet neutrality and strong opposition to any FCC regulations giving Internet gate-keeping powers to media corporations. Michael Copps and John Adelstein, both FCC commissioners, echoed the need for a public voice in order to keep the Internet free, open and a voice for truth.
Although the main spirit that seemed to pulse through the conference was one of hope, unity, and reform there was an apparent dichotomy. Some seemed to feel the conference was for the maintenance of white middle class media control and what role did social justice groups have to play in that scenario? Most speakers answered that the conference was truly about the peopleʼs ownership of the media in a true democracy and that couldnʼt be separated from the single issue social rights some sought. But by working together as one for the larger issues of freedom and justice for all, each would strengthen their cause. Robert Greenwald, a Film Producer working with some of the Nation Magazines reporters, said it best in talking about his film series called A Brave Nation: We need to be activist leaders in the cause of peace, justice and equality for all, only then can we achieve freedom and justice for any.
In the end, conference participants hear several specific messages loud and clear. Mainstream Media is Corporate owned and monopolized. This fact doesnʼt only bias the news but eliminates any counterpoint. The Internet as an open and a valuable tool for people wanting a free democracy is under attack. It will take a public wave to push for Internet neutrality in order for it to stay open. Any reform of mainstream media towards a more balanced and accountable journalism must start with the individual. The individual must fuse with the other citizens in their communities until 1+1+1 becomes an overwhelming wave for reform, public or community rights and the maintenance of true democracy and social justice.
As the conference drew to a close, participants were reminded by the Nation's Naomi Klein that the excitement of the conference or even Barack Obama's nomination would not be enough for democratic change. She explained that media reform and an Obama presidency needed a large base of activist citizens in order to enact real change. She encouraged us all to make sure that Obama or we donʼt just mouth the words of equal distribution of wealth, an end to the carnage in Iraq, development of more living wage jobs, an end to Free Trade, universal health care, and social justice for all but that he and we must design the plans that bring this vision to fruition. Then and only then will the media be reformed, justice again be the law, and public domain belong to the community.
Three websites for more information: www.freepress.net www.stopbigmedia.com www.savetheinternet.com
Terry Tinkel is a member of Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice.
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