After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The Issue Is Crucial For Saving D

After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The Issue

Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

By Danny Schechter

Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media gatekeepers

to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with an

exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow to our

political discourse.

Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict knew

how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual perversion.

What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind us of, was the last

concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope focused on

a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own performance.

That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his last

apostolic letter.

Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last wish, it

was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the major

media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to cover the

multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish. I was in Rome at

the time but only found out about this revelation afterwards. It seemed to

have been buried with him or went over the heads of most of those "covering"

a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his ideas were

not.

That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of social

responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

"Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct vision

of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum for

different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using the powerful

communication media must be situated within the context of a mature exercise

of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of truth

and justice."

He also spoke about media ownership:

"I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media access, and

of co-responsible participation in their administration. If the

communications media are a good destined for all humanity, then ever-new

means must be found - including recourse to opportune legislative measures -

to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot rely on

faith alone-it will take practical steps.

Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts, including the

legislative, regulatory, institutional, and educational. It's about changing

structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands thought

about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It requires a new

consciousness among those that make media and those that consume it.

Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

(Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

"The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face as a

democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The corporate media

goes wherever the White House or the latest missing bride leads them. The

real news isn't profitable enough for the corporate-owned press, so they

don't really DO much news anymore. They do public relations and

entertainment.

And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the truth

about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial presidency,

because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven Busheviks will sabotage

their corporate bottom line."

Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

wrong--because they have been following the same ideological approach for

decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE are not doing right,

of the refusal of political movements and activists to take up this problem,

not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George and

Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as deep as

lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media. Period. If the

public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually misinformed,

people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that all

politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for it: "The air

war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and decides what

will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly because the

media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla and

Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next president. Period.

The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks not to do

what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much more is

needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views" business,

lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on the ground to put

media change on their agenda, and also significant, to support independent

media to challenge and where possible compete with the corporate media

agenda.

Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will include

funding for media makers and media literacy educators that we can all agree

on.

While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political campaigns,

the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull back

and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest coverage

from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need to challenge the

media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to stop

putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet petitions or

holding rallies they call conferences with little follow-up to mount an

activist campaign for media accountability. Let's put some organizers in the

streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media advocacy

won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and, instead, compete

for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at MediaChannel

which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are hanging

on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media crimes

persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime against democracy

is what many media outlets have become.

These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

willing to act?

--

NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material

available to advance understanding of

political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues. I

believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

"A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their

spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore their

government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are

suffering deeply in spirit,

and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public

debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have

patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning

back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at

stake."

-Thomas Jefferson

"Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The

> Issue

> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> By Danny Schechter

>

> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

>

> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> gatekeepers

> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

> example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

> into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

>

> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with an

> exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow to our

> political discourse.

>

> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict knew

> how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual perversion.

> What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind us of, was the

> last

> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope focused

> on

> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own performance.

>

> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his last

> apostolic letter.

>

> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last wish,

> it

> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the major

> media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to cover the

> multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish. I was in Rome at

> the time but only found out about this revelation afterwards. It seemed to

> have been buried with him or went over the heads of most of those

> "covering"

> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his ideas were

> not.

>

> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of social

> responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>

> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct

> vision

> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum for

> different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using the

> powerful

> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

> exercise

> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of truth

> and justice."

>

> He also spoke about media ownership:

>

> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media access, and

> of co-responsible participation in their administration. If the

> communications media are a good destined for all humanity, then ever-new

> means must be found - including recourse to opportune legislative

> measures -

> to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>

> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot rely

> on

> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>

> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts, including the

> legislative, regulatory, institutional, and educational. It's about

> changing

> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands thought

> about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It requires a new

> consciousness among those that make media and those that consume it.

>

> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>

> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face as a

> democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The corporate media

> goes wherever the White House or the latest missing bride leads them. The

> real news isn't profitable enough for the corporate-owned press, so they

> don't really DO much news anymore. They do public relations and

> entertainment.

>

> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the truth

> about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial presidency,

> because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven Busheviks will sabotage

> their corporate bottom line."

>

> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological approach for

> decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE are not doing right,

> of the refusal of political movements and activists to take up this

> problem,

> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George and

> Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as deep as

> lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>

> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media. Period. If

> the

> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually misinformed,

> people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>

> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that all

> politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for it: "The

> air

> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and decides

> what

> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly because

> the

> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>

> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla and

> Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next president.

> Period.

> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

>

> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks not to

> do

> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much more is

> needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views" business,

> lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on the ground to put

> media change on their agenda, and also significant, to support independent

> media to challenge and where possible compete with the corporate media

> agenda.

>

> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will include

> funding for media makers and media literacy educators that we can all

> agree

> on.

>

> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

> campaigns,

> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull back

> and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>

> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest coverage

> from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need to challenge

> the

> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>

> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to stop

> putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet petitions or

> holding rallies they call conferences with little follow-up to mount an

> activist campaign for media accountability. Let's put some organizers in

> the

> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>

> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media advocacy

> won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and, instead,

> compete

> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

> MediaChannel

> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

> hanging

> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media crimes

> persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime against democracy

> is what many media outlets have become.

>

> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

> willing to act?

>

>

>

> --

> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

> always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material

> available to advance understanding of

> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues.

> I

> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>

> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their

> spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore their

> government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are

> suffering deeply in spirit,

> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public

> debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have

> patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning

> back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are

> at

> stake."

> -Thomas Jefferson

>

>

>

A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard questions,

and it's a "debacle"?

Can't wait for the general election!

Taylor wrote:

> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote in message

> news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

>> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The

>> Issue

>> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>>

>> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> gatekeepers

>> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

>> example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

>> into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

>>

>> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with an

>> exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow to our

>> political discourse.

>>

>> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict knew

>> how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual perversion.

>> What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind us of, was the

>> last

>> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope focused

>> on

>> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own performance.

>>

>> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his last

>> apostolic letter.

>>

>> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last wish,

>> it

>> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the major

>> media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to cover the

>> multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish. I was in Rome at

>> the time but only found out about this revelation afterwards. It seemed to

>> have been buried with him or went over the heads of most of those

>> "covering"

>> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his ideas were

>> not.

>>

>> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of social

>> responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>>

>> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct

>> vision

>> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

>> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum for

>> different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using the

>> powerful

>> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

>> exercise

>> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of truth

>> and justice."

>>

>> He also spoke about media ownership:

>>

>> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media access, and

>> of co-responsible participation in their administration. If the

>> communications media are a good destined for all humanity, then ever-new

>> means must be found - including recourse to opportune legislative

>> measures -

>> to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

>> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>>

>> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot rely

>> on

>> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>>

>> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts, including the

>> legislative, regulatory, institutional, and educational. It's about

>> changing

>> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands thought

>> about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It requires a new

>> consciousness among those that make media and those that consume it.

>>

>> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

>> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>>

>> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face as a

>> democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The corporate media

>> goes wherever the White House or the latest missing bride leads them. The

>> real news isn't profitable enough for the corporate-owned press, so they

>> don't really DO much news anymore. They do public relations and

>> entertainment.

>>

>> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the truth

>> about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial presidency,

>> because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven Busheviks will sabotage

>> their corporate bottom line."

>>

>> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

>> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological approach for

>> decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE are not doing right,

>> of the refusal of political movements and activists to take up this

>> problem,

>> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George and

>> Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as deep as

>> lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>>

>> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media. Period. If

>> the

>> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually misinformed,

>> people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>>

>> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

>> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that all

>> politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for it: "The

>> air

>> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and decides

>> what

>> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly because

>> the

>> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>>

>> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla and

>> Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next president.

>> Period.

>> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

>>

>> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks not to

>> do

>> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much more is

>> needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views" business,

>> lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on the ground to put

>> media change on their agenda, and also significant, to support independent

>> media to challenge and where possible compete with the corporate media

>> agenda.

>>

>> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will include

>> funding for media makers and media literacy educators that we can all

>> agree

>> on.

>>

>> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

>> campaigns,

>> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull back

>> and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>>

>> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest coverage

>> from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need to challenge

>> the

>> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

>> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>>

>> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to stop

>> putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet petitions or

>> holding rallies they call conferences with little follow-up to mount an

>> activist campaign for media accountability. Let's put some organizers in

>> the

>> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>>

>> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media advocacy

>> won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and, instead,

>> compete

>> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

>> MediaChannel

>> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

>> hanging

>> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media crimes

>> persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime against democracy

>> is what many media outlets have become.

>>

>> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

>> willing to act?

>>

>>

>>

>> --

>> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

>> always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material

>> available to advance understanding of

>> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues.

>> I

>> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

>> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

>> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>>

>> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their

>> spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore their

>> government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are

>> suffering deeply in spirit,

>> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public

>> debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have

>> patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning

>> back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are

>> at

>> stake."

>> -Thomas Jefferson

>>

>>

>>

>

> A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard questions,

> and it's a "debacle"?

Yep. Let's have some historical perspective here: Today's journalism

is much more open, much more diverse than in the days of the Hearst

newspapers and "yellow journalism." If the media was too complicit in

the launching of the ill-advised Iraq War, let's remember that it was

the Hearst newspapers that dragged us into the equally ill-advised

Spanish-American War.

The Times of London probably helped bring about World War II. Their

editor was so interested in "peace" with Hitler that he routinely spiked

any negative stories about Hitler's war preparations that were sent back

by his foreign correspondents. Thus the British public had no idea

what Hitler was really planning, because the newspaper censored it.

I've seen what the news media looks like in other countries:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/

I think ABC News does a good job.

The American public isn't slavishly swallowing the news as critics

charge. Katie Couric's low ratings are proof of that.

--

Steven L.

Email: sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net

Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

"Taylor" <Taylor@nospam.com> wrote in message

news:bYudndTC5-Y2U5HVnZ2dnUVZ_hmtnZ2d@comcast.com...

> A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard

> questions, and it's a "debacle"?

>

> Can't wait for the general election!

>

>

Gandalf Grey wrote:

> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The Issue

> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> By Danny Schechter

>

> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

>

> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media gatekeepers

> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

> example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

> into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he folded

like a lawn chair.

"cmdr buzz corey" <cmdr-buzz-corey@mailcity.com> wrote in message

news:53b7952b-3cbf-4b4a-ad03-930c4c45a55e@m3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...

>

> Gandalf Grey wrote:

>> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The

>> Issue

>> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>>

>> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> gatekeepers

>> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

>> example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

>> into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

>

> Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he folded

> like a lawn chair.

Like what? Flag pins?

Taylor wrote:

> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote in message

> news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

>> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

>> The Issue

>> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>>

>> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> gatekeepers

>> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a

>> classic example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate

>> and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening

>> hit.

>> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with

>> an exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow

>> to our political discourse.

>>

>> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict

>> knew how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual

>> perversion. What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind

>> us of, was the last

>> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope

>> focused on

>> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own

>> performance.

>> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his

>> last apostolic letter.

>>

>> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last

>> wish, it

>> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the

>> major media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to

>> cover the multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish.

>> I was in Rome at the time but only found out about this revelation

>> afterwards. It seemed to have been buried with him or went over the

>> heads of most of those "covering"

>> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his

>> ideas were not.

>>

>> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of

>> social responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>>

>> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct

>> vision

>> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

>> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum

>> for different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using

>> the powerful

>> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

>> exercise

>> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of

>> truth and justice."

>>

>> He also spoke about media ownership:

>>

>> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media

>> access, and of co-responsible participation in their administration.

>> If the communications media are a good destined for all humanity,

>> then ever-new means must be found - including recourse to opportune

>> legislative measures -

>> to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

>> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>>

>> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot

>> rely on

>> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>>

>> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts,

>> including the legislative, regulatory, institutional, and

>> educational. It's about changing

>> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands

>> thought about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It

>> requires a new consciousness among those that make media and those

>> that consume it.

>> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

>> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>>

>> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face

>> as a democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The

>> corporate media goes wherever the White House or the latest missing

>> bride leads them. The real news isn't profitable enough for the

>> corporate-owned press, so they don't really DO much news anymore.

>> They do public relations and entertainment.

>>

>> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the

>> truth about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial

>> presidency, because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven

>> Busheviks will sabotage their corporate bottom line."

>>

>> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

>> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological

>> approach for decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE

>> are not doing right, of the refusal of political movements and

>> activists to take up this problem,

>> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George

>> and Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as

>> deep as lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>>

>> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media.

>> Period. If the

>> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually

>> misinformed, people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>>

>> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

>> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that

>> all politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for

>> it: "The air

>> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and

>> decides what

>> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly

>> because the

>> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>>

>> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla

>> and Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next

>> president. Period.

>> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

>>

>> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks

>> not to do

>> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much

>> more is needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views"

>> business, lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on

>> the ground to put media change on their agenda, and also

>> significant, to support independent media to challenge and where

>> possible compete with the corporate media agenda.

>>

>> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will

>> include funding for media makers and media literacy educators that

>> we can all agree

>> on.

>>

>> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

>> campaigns,

>> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull

>> back and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>>

>> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest

>> coverage from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need

>> to challenge the

>> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

>> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>>

>> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to

>> stop putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet

>> petitions or holding rallies they call conferences with little

>> follow-up to mount an activist campaign for media accountability.

>> Let's put some organizers in the

>> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>>

>> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media

>> advocacy won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and,

>> instead, compete

>> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

>> MediaChannel

>> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

>> hanging

>> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media

>> crimes persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime

>> against democracy is what many media outlets have become.

>>

>> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

>> willing to act?

>>

>>

>>

>> --

>> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has

>> not always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such

>> material available to advance understanding of

>> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice

>> issues. I

>> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

>> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

>> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>>

>> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over,

>> their spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight,

>> restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in

>> the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit,

>> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous

>> public debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we

>> must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an

>> opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is

>> a game where principles are at

>> stake."

>> -Thomas Jefferson

>>

>>

>>

>

> A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard

> questions, and it's a "debacle"?

There are no "liberal news ranks" and the questions that were asked weren't

"hard," only irrelevant.

>

> Can't wait for the general election!

Practice saying "President Obama."

cmdr buzz corey wrote:

> Gandalf Grey wrote:

>> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

>> The Issue Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>>

>> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> gatekeepers to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave

>> us all a classic example of how a network can dumb down a

>> presidential debate and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather

>> than an enlightening hit.

>

> Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he folded

> like a lawn chair.

I guess that's why he's closed in on Hillary in Penn. since.

"Taylor" <Taylor@nospam.com> wrote in message

news:bYudndTC5-Y2U5HVnZ2dnUVZ_hmtnZ2d@comcast.com...

>

> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote in message

> news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

>> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The

>> Issue

>> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>>

>> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> gatekeepers

>> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

>> example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

>> into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

>>

>> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with an

>> exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow to our

>> political discourse.

>>

>> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict knew

>> how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual perversion.

>> What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind us of, was the

>> last

>> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope focused

>> on

>> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own performance.

>>

>> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his last

>> apostolic letter.

>>

>> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last wish,

>> it

>> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the major

>> media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to cover the

>> multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish. I was in Rome

>> at

>> the time but only found out about this revelation afterwards. It seemed

>> to

>> have been buried with him or went over the heads of most of those

>> "covering"

>> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his ideas

>> were

>> not.

>>

>> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of social

>> responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>>

>> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct

>> vision

>> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

>> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum for

>> different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using the

>> powerful

>> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

>> exercise

>> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of truth

>> and justice."

>>

>> He also spoke about media ownership:

>>

>> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media access,

>> and

>> of co-responsible participation in their administration. If the

>> communications media are a good destined for all humanity, then ever-new

>> means must be found - including recourse to opportune legislative

>> measures -

>> to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

>> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>>

>> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot rely

>> on

>> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>>

>> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts, including the

>> legislative, regulatory, institutional, and educational. It's about

>> changing

>> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands thought

>> about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It requires a new

>> consciousness among those that make media and those that consume it.

>>

>> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

>> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>>

>> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face as a

>> democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The corporate media

>> goes wherever the White House or the latest missing bride leads them. The

>> real news isn't profitable enough for the corporate-owned press, so they

>> don't really DO much news anymore. They do public relations and

>> entertainment.

>>

>> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the truth

>> about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial presidency,

>> because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven Busheviks will sabotage

>> their corporate bottom line."

>>

>> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

>> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological approach for

>> decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE are not doing

>> right,

>> of the refusal of political movements and activists to take up this

>> problem,

>> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George and

>> Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as deep as

>> lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>>

>> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media. Period. If

>> the

>> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually misinformed,

>> people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>>

>> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

>> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that all

>> politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for it: "The

>> air

>> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and decides

>> what

>> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly because

>> the

>> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>>

>> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla and

>> Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next president.

>> Period.

>> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

>>

>> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks not to

>> do

>> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much more is

>> needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views" business,

>> lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on the ground to

>> put

>> media change on their agenda, and also significant, to support

>> independent

>> media to challenge and where possible compete with the corporate media

>> agenda.

>>

>> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will include

>> funding for media makers and media literacy educators that we can all

>> agree

>> on.

>>

>> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

>> campaigns,

>> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull back

>> and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>>

>> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest

>> coverage

>> from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need to challenge

>> the

>> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

>> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>>

>> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to stop

>> putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet petitions or

>> holding rallies they call conferences with little follow-up to mount an

>> activist campaign for media accountability. Let's put some organizers in

>> the

>> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>>

>> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media advocacy

>> won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and, instead,

>> compete

>> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

>> MediaChannel

>> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

>> hanging

>> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media crimes

>> persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime against

>> democracy

>> is what many media outlets have become.

>>

>> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

>> willing to act?

>>

>>

>>

>> --

>> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

>> always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material

>> available to advance understanding of

>> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice

>> issues. I

>> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

>> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

>> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>>

>> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their

>> spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore

>> their

>> government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we

>> are

>> suffering deeply in spirit,

>> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous

>> public

>> debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have

>> patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of

>> winning

>> back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are

>> at

>> stake."

>> -Thomas Jefferson

>>

>>

>>

>

> A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard

> questions, and it's a "debacle"?

They weren't hard questions, they were tabloid questions.

>

> Can't wait for the general election!

Neither can I. You GOPs are going to lose very big.

>

>

Forrest Gump McCain wrote:

> "cmdr buzz corey" <cmdr-buzz-corey@mailcity.com> wrote in message

> news:53b7952b-3cbf-4b4a-ad03-930c4c45a55e@m3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...

>

>>Gandalf Grey wrote:

>>

>>>After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The

>>>Issue

>>>Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>>

>>>By Danny Schechter

>>>

>>>Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>>

>>>

>>>How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>>>Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>>>gatekeepers

>>>to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

>>>example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

>>>into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

>>

>>Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he folded

>>like a lawn chair.

>

>

> Like what? Flag pins?

I want to know why McCain doesn't have Mother tattooed on his arm.

Maybe he doesn't love her.

--Jeff

--

"The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without

formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to

deny him the judgment of his peers, is in the highest degree

odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government

whether Nazi or Communist."

- Winston Churchill, Nov. 21, 1943

On Apr 21, 11:26 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

wrote:

> Taylor wrote:

> > "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote in message

> >news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

> >> The Issue

> >> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> >> By Danny Schechter

>

> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> >> gatekeepers

> >> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a

> >> classic example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate

> >> and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening

> >> hit.

> >> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with

> >> an exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow

> >> to our political discourse.

>

> >> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict

> >> knew how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual

> >> perversion. What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind

> >> us of, was the last

> >> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope

> >> focused on

> >> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own

> >> performance.

> >> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his

> >> last apostolic letter.

>

> >> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last

> >> wish, it

> >> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the

> >> major media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to

> >> cover the multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish.

> >> I was in Rome at the time but only found out about this revelation

> >> afterwards. It seemed to have been buried with him or went over the

> >> heads of most of those "covering"

> >> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his

> >> ideas were not.

>

> >> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of

> >> social responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>

> >> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct

> >> vision

> >> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

> >> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum

> >> for different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using

> >> the powerful

> >> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

> >> exercise

> >> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of

> >> truth and justice."

>

> >> He also spoke about media ownership:

>

> >> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media

> >> access, and of co-responsible participation in their administration.

> >> If the communications media are a good destined for all humanity,

> >> then ever-new means must be found - including recourse to opportune

> >> legislative measures -

> >> to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

> >> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>

> >> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot

> >> rely on

> >> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>

> >> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts,

> >> including the legislative, regulatory, institutional, and

> >> educational. It's about changing

> >> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands

> >> thought about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It

> >> requires a new consciousness among those that make media and those

> >> that consume it.

> >> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

> >> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>

> >> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face

> >> as a democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The

> >> corporate media goes wherever the White House or the latest missing

> >> bride leads them. The real news isn't profitable enough for the

> >> corporate-owned press, so they don't really DO much news anymore.

> >> They do public relations and entertainment.

>

> >> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the

> >> truth about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial

> >> presidency, because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven

> >> Busheviks will sabotage their corporate bottom line."

>

> >> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

> >> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological

> >> approach for decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE

> >> are not doing right, of the refusal of political movements and

> >> activists to take up this problem,

> >> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George

> >> and Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as

> >> deep as lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>

> >> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media.

> >> Period. If the

> >> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually

> >> misinformed, people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>

> >> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

> >> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that

> >> all politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for

> >> it: "The air

> >> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and

> >> decides what

> >> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly

> >> because the

> >> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>

> >> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla

> >> and Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next

> >> president. Period.

> >> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

>

> >> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks

> >> not to do

> >> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much

> >> more is needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views"

> >> business, lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on

> >> the ground to put media change on their agenda, and also

> >> significant, to support independent media to challenge and where

> >> possible compete with the corporate media agenda.

>

> >> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will

> >> include funding for media makers and media literacy educators that

> >> we can all agree

> >> on.

>

> >> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

> >> campaigns,

> >> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull

> >> back and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>

> >> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest

> >> coverage from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need

> >> to challenge the

> >> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

> >> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>

> >> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to

> >> stop putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet

> >> petitions or holding rallies they call conferences with little

> >> follow-up to mount an activist campaign for media accountability.

> >> Let's put some organizers in the

> >> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>

> >> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media

> >> advocacy won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and,

> >> instead, compete

> >> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

> >> MediaChannel

> >> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

> >> hanging

> >> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media

> >> crimes persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime

> >> against democracy is what many media outlets have become.

>

> >> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

> >> willing to act?

>

> >> --

> >> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has

> >> not always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such

> >> material available to advance understanding of

> >> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice

> >> issues. I

> >> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

> >> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

> >> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>

> >> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over,

> >> their spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight,

> >> restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in

> >> the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit,

> >> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous

> >> public debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we

> >> must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an

> >> opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is

> >> a game where principles are at

> >> stake."

> >> -Thomas Jefferson

>

> > A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard

> > questions, and it's a "debacle"?

>

> There are no "liberal news ranks" and the questions that were asked weren't

> "hard," only irrelevant.

>

>

>

> > Can't wait for the general election!

>

> Practice saying "President Obama."

Can you say, Black Surrender Monkey?

On Apr 21, 11:19 am, "Forrest Gump McCain"

<mccai...@radiovietcong.net> wrote:

> "cmdr buzz corey" <cmdr-buzz-co...@mailcity.com> wrote in messagenews:53b7952b-3cbf-4b4a-ad03-930c4c45a55e@m3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...

>

>

>

>

>

> > Gandalf Grey wrote:

> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media The

> >> Issue

> >> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> >> By Danny Schechter

>

> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> >> gatekeepers

> >> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a classic

> >> example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate and turn it

> >> into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening hit.

>

> > Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he folded

> > like a lawn chair.

>

> Like what? Flag pins?

No. The question should be, "Why do you refuse to wear American flag

lapel pins.?"

When asked this by a veteran he laughed nervously and put one on. The

Surrender Monkey was trapped.

On Apr 21, 11:27 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

wrote:

> cmdr buzz corey wrote:

> > Gandalf Grey wrote:

> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

> >> The Issue Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> >> By Danny Schechter

>

> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> >> gatekeepers to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave

> >> us all a classic example of how a network can dumb down a

> >> presidential debate and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather

> >> than an enlightening hit.

>

> > Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he folded

> > like a lawn chair.

>

> I guess that's why he's closed in on Hillary in Penn. since.

Things are closing in on him. That's the good news.

znuybv wrote:

> On Apr 21, 11:27 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

> wrote:

>> cmdr buzz corey wrote:

>> > Gandalf Grey wrote:

>> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

>> >> The Issue Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> >> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> >> gatekeepers to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS

>> >> gave us all a classic example of how a network can dumb down a

>> >> presidential debate and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather

>> >> than an enlightening hit.

>>

>> > Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he

>> > folded like a lawn chair.

>>

>> I guess that's why he's closed in on Hillary in Penn. since.

>

> Things are closing in on him. That's the good news.

Nothing's closing in on him except the Democratic nomination and the

Presidency. He will easily defeat Songbird.

znuybv wrote:

> On Apr 21, 11:19 am, "Forrest Gump McCain"

> <mccai...@radiovietcong.net> wrote:

>> "cmdr buzz corey" <cmdr-buzz-co...@mailcity.com> wrote in

>> messagenews:53b7952b-3cbf-4b4a-ad03-930c4c45a55e@m3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> > Gandalf Grey wrote:

>> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making

>> >> Media The Issue

>> >> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> >> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> >> gatekeepers

>> >> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a

>> >> classic example of how a network can dumb down a presidential

>> >> debate and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather than an

>> >> enlightening hit.

>>

>> > Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he

>> > folded like a lawn chair.

>>

>> Like what? Flag pins?

>

> No. The question should be, "Why do you refuse to wear American flag

> lapel pins.?"

The answer is easy -- because wearing an American flag lapel pin is phony

patriotism created by scoundrels.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." -- Samuel Johnson, April 7,

1775

On Apr 21, 11:54 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

wrote:

> znuybvwrote:

> > On Apr 21, 11:27 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

> > wrote:

> >> cmdr buzz corey wrote:

> >> > Gandalf Grey wrote:

> >> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

> >> >> The Issue Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> >> >> By Danny Schechter

>

> >> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

> >> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> >> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> >> >> gatekeepers to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS

> >> >> gave us all a classic example of how a network can dumb down a

> >> >> presidential debate and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather

> >> >> than an enlightening hit.

>

> >> > Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he

> >> > folded like a lawn chair.

>

> >> I guess that's why he's closed in on Hillary in Penn. since.

>

> > Things are closing in on him. That's the good news.

>

> Nothing's closing in on him except the Democratic nomination and the

> Presidency. He will easily defeat Songbird.

No Surrender Monkey has ever been elected President. Think about it.

"znuybv" <thowilson@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:707f509e-e47e-4cd0-a14e-9c81b364806f@p25g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

> On Apr 21, 11:26 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

> wrote:

>> Taylor wrote:

>> > "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote in message

>> >news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

>> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

>> >> The Issue

>> >> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> >> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> >> gatekeepers

>> >> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a

>> >> classic example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate

>> >> and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening

>> >> hit.

>> >> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with

>> >> an exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow

>> >> to our political discourse.

>>

>> >> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict

>> >> knew how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual

>> >> perversion. What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind

>> >> us of, was the last

>> >> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope

>> >> focused on

>> >> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own

>> >> performance.

>> >> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his

>> >> last apostolic letter.

>>

>> >> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last

>> >> wish, it

>> >> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the

>> >> major media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to

>> >> cover the multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish.

>> >> I was in Rome at the time but only found out about this revelation

>> >> afterwards. It seemed to have been buried with him or went over the

>> >> heads of most of those "covering"

>> >> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his

>> >> ideas were not.

>>

>> >> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of

>> >> social responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>>

>> >> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct

>> >> vision

>> >> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

>> >> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum

>> >> for different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using

>> >> the powerful

>> >> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

>> >> exercise

>> >> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of

>> >> truth and justice."

>>

>> >> He also spoke about media ownership:

>>

>> >> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media

>> >> access, and of co-responsible participation in their administration.

>> >> If the communications media are a good destined for all humanity,

>> >> then ever-new means must be found - including recourse to opportune

>> >> legislative measures -

>> >> to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

>> >> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>>

>> >> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot

>> >> rely on

>> >> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>>

>> >> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts,

>> >> including the legislative, regulatory, institutional, and

>> >> educational. It's about changing

>> >> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands

>> >> thought about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It

>> >> requires a new consciousness among those that make media and those

>> >> that consume it.

>> >> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

>> >> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>>

>> >> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face

>> >> as a democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The

>> >> corporate media goes wherever the White House or the latest missing

>> >> bride leads them. The real news isn't profitable enough for the

>> >> corporate-owned press, so they don't really DO much news anymore.

>> >> They do public relations and entertainment.

>>

>> >> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the

>> >> truth about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial

>> >> presidency, because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven

>> >> Busheviks will sabotage their corporate bottom line."

>>

>> >> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

>> >> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological

>> >> approach for decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE

>> >> are not doing right, of the refusal of political movements and

>> >> activists to take up this problem,

>> >> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George

>> >> and Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as

>> >> deep as lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>>

>> >> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media.

>> >> Period. If the

>> >> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually

>> >> misinformed, people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>>

>> >> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

>> >> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that

>> >> all politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for

>> >> it: "The air

>> >> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and

>> >> decides what

>> >> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly

>> >> because the

>> >> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>>

>> >> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla

>> >> and Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next

>> >> president. Period.

>> >> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

>>

>> >> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks

>> >> not to do

>> >> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much

>> >> more is needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views"

>> >> business, lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on

>> >> the ground to put media change on their agenda, and also

>> >> significant, to support independent media to challenge and where

>> >> possible compete with the corporate media agenda.

>>

>> >> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will

>> >> include funding for media makers and media literacy educators that

>> >> we can all agree

>> >> on.

>>

>> >> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

>> >> campaigns,

>> >> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull

>> >> back and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>>

>> >> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest

>> >> coverage from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need

>> >> to challenge the

>> >> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

>> >> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>>

>> >> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to

>> >> stop putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet

>> >> petitions or holding rallies they call conferences with little

>> >> follow-up to mount an activist campaign for media accountability.

>> >> Let's put some organizers in the

>> >> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>>

>> >> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media

>> >> advocacy won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and,

>> >> instead, compete

>> >> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

>> >> MediaChannel

>> >> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

>> >> hanging

>> >> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media

>> >> crimes persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime

>> >> against democracy is what many media outlets have become.

>>

>> >> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

>> >> willing to act?

>>

>> >> --

>> >> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has

>> >> not always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such

>> >> material available to advance understanding of

>> >> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice

>> >> issues. I

>> >> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

>> >> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

>> >> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>>

>> >> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over,

>> >> their spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight,

>> >> restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in

>> >> the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit,

>> >> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous

>> >> public debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we

>> >> must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an

>> >> opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is

>> >> a game where principles are at

>> >> stake."

>> >> -Thomas Jefferson

>>

>> > A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard

>> > questions, and it's a "debacle"?

>>

>> There are no "liberal news ranks" and the questions that were asked

>> weren't

>> "hard," only irrelevant.

>>

>>

>>

>> > Can't wait for the general election!

>>

>> Practice saying "President Obama."

>

> Can you say, Black Surrender Monkey?

Can you say Doddering Old White Fascist?

On Apr 21, 12:54 pm, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

wrote:

> znuybv wrote:

> > On Apr 21, 11:27 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

> > wrote:

> >>cmdr buzz coreywrote:

> >> > Gandalf Grey wrote:

> >> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

> >> >> The Issue Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> >> >> By Danny Schechter

>

> >> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

> >> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> >> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> >> >> gatekeepers to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS

> >> >> gave us all a classic example of how a network can dumb down a

> >> >> presidential debate and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather

> >> >> than an enlightening hit.

>

> >> > Yeah, they finally asked Osama Obama some hard questions and he

> >> > folded like a lawn chair.

>

> >> I guess that's why he's closed in on Hillary in Penn. since.

>

> > Things are closing in on him. That's the good news.

>

> Nothing's closing in on him except the Democratic nomination and the

> Presidency. He will easily defeat Songbird.

Baby Osama Obama is black toast.

On Apr 21, 12:13 pm, "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote:

> "znuybv" <thowil...@gmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:707f509e-e47e-4cd0-a14e-9c81b364806f@p25g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

>

> > On Apr 21, 11:26 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

> > wrote:

> >> Taylor wrote:

> >> > "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote in message

> >> >news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

> >> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

> >> >> The Issue

> >> >> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>

> >> >> By Danny Schechter

>

> >> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>

> >> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> >> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> >> >> gatekeepers

> >> >> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a

> >> >> classic example of how a network can dumb down a presidential debate

> >> >> and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening

> >> >> hit.

> >> >> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with

> >> >> an exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a blow

> >> >> to our political discourse.

>

> >> >> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit. Benedict

> >> >> knew how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual

> >> >> perversion. What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't remind

> >> >> us of, was the last

> >> >> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope

> >> >> focused on

> >> >> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own

> >> >> performance.

> >> >> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his

> >> >> last apostolic letter.

>

> >> >> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last

> >> >> wish, it

> >> >> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the

> >> >> major media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to

> >> >> cover the multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish.

> >> >> I was in Rome at the time but only found out about this revelation

> >> >> afterwards. It seemed to have been buried with him or went over the

> >> >> heads of most of those "covering"

> >> >> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his

> >> >> ideas were not.

>

> >> >> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of

> >> >> social responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>

> >> >> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct

> >> >> vision

> >> >> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

> >> >> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum

> >> >> for different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using

> >> >> the powerful

> >> >> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

> >> >> exercise

> >> >> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of

> >> >> truth and justice."

>

> >> >> He also spoke about media ownership:

>

> >> >> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media

> >> >> access, and of co-responsible participation in their administration.

> >> >> If the communications media are a good destined for all humanity,

> >> >> then ever-new means must be found - including recourse to opportune

> >> >> legislative measures -

> >> >> to make possible a true participation in their management by all. The

> >> >> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>

> >> >> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot

> >> >> rely on

> >> >> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>

> >> >> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts,

> >> >> including the legislative, regulatory, institutional, and

> >> >> educational. It's about changing

> >> >> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands

> >> >> thought about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It

> >> >> requires a new consciousness among those that make media and those

> >> >> that consume it.

> >> >> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of Media,

> >> >> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>

> >> >> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face

> >> >> as a democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The

> >> >> corporate media goes wherever the White House or the latest missing

> >> >> bride leads them. The real news isn't profitable enough for the

> >> >> corporate-owned press, so they don't really DO much news anymore.

> >> >> They do public relations and entertainment.

>

> >> >> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the

> >> >> truth about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial

> >> >> presidency, because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven

> >> >> Busheviks will sabotage their corporate bottom line."

>

> >> >> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

> >> >> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological

> >> >> approach for decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE

> >> >> are not doing right, of the refusal of political movements and

> >> >> activists to take up this problem,

> >> >> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George

> >> >> and Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as

> >> >> deep as lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>

> >> >> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media.

> >> >> Period. If the

> >> >> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually

> >> >> misinformed, people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>

> >> >> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

> >> >> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that

> >> >> all politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for

> >> >> it: "The air

> >> >> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and

> >> >> decides what

> >> >> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly

> >> >> because the

> >> >> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>

> >> >> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla

> >> >> and Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next

> >> >> president. Period.

> >> >> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their business.

>

> >> >> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks

> >> >> not to do

> >> >> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much

> >> >> more is needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the "Views"

> >> >> business, lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on

> >> >> the ground to put media change on their agenda, and also

> >> >> significant, to support independent media to challenge and where

> >> >> possible compete with the corporate media agenda.

>

> >> >> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will

> >> >> include funding for media makers and media literacy educators that

> >> >> we can all agree

> >> >> on.

>

> >> >> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

> >> >> campaigns,

> >> >> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations pull

> >> >> back and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>

> >> >> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest

> >> >> coverage from media companies that are complicit in the war. We need

> >> >> to challenge the

> >> >> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too. And

> >> >> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>

> >> >> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press to

> >> >> stop putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet

> >> >> petitions or holding rallies they call conferences with little

> >> >> follow-up to mount an activist campaign for media accountability.

> >> >> Let's put some organizers in the

> >> >> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>

> >> >> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media

> >> >> advocacy won't work together or cross-promote each other's work and,

> >> >> instead, compete

> >> >> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

> >> >> MediaChannel

> >> >> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

> >> >> hanging

> >> >> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media

> >> >> crimes persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime

> >> >> against democracy is what many media outlets have become.

>

> >> >> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening? Anyone

> >> >> willing to act?

>

> >> >> --

> >> >> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has

> >> >> not always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such

> >> >> material available to advance understanding of

> >> >> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice

> >> >> issues. I

> >> >> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

> >> >> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

> >> >> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>

> >> >> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over,

> >> >> their spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight,

> >> >> restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in

> >> >> the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit,

> >> >> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous

> >> >> public debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we

> >> >> must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an

> >> >> opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is

> >> >> a game where principles are at

> >> >> stake."

> >> >> -Thomas Jefferson

>

> >> > A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard

> >> > questions, and it's a "debacle"?

>

> >> There are no "liberal news ranks" and the questions that were asked

> >> weren't

> >> "hard," only irrelevant.

>

> >> > Can't wait for the general election!

>

> >> Practice saying "President Obama."

>

> > Can you say, Black Surrender Monkey?

>

> Can you say Doddering Old White Fascist?

Yes. Doddering Old White Fascist.

Now can you say, Black Surrender Monkey?

"ZNUYBV" <tjwilson6531@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:5f8e5b7f-02b7-4b29-8a09-4b9607ea7ae6@w5g2000prd.googlegroups.com...

> On Apr 21, 12:13 pm, "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote:

>> "znuybv" <thowil...@gmail.com> wrote in message

>>

>> news:707f509e-e47e-4cd0-a14e-9c81b364806f@p25g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

>>

>> > On Apr 21, 11:26 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

>> > wrote:

>> >> Taylor wrote:

>> >> > "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote in message

>> >> >news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

>> >> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

>> >> >> The Issue

>> >> >> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

>>

>> >> >> By Danny Schechter

>>

>> >> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

>>

>> >> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

>> >> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

>> >> >> gatekeepers

>> >> >> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a

>> >> >> classic example of how a network can dumb down a presidential

>> >> >> debate

>> >> >> and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening

>> >> >> hit.

>> >> >> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having with

>> >> >> an exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a

>> >> >> blow

>> >> >> to our political discourse.

>>

>> >> >> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit.

>> >> >> Benedict

>> >> >> knew how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual

>> >> >> perversion. What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't

>> >> >> remind

>> >> >> us of, was the last

>> >> >> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope

>> >> >> focused on

>> >> >> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own

>> >> >> performance.

>> >> >> That "holy father" focused on what the media should be doing in his

>> >> >> last apostolic letter.

>>

>> >> >> Let me remind you since I was struck by the irony of Pontiff's last

>> >> >> wish, it

>> >> >> was during the "live" coverage of the death of the Pope--one of the

>> >> >> major media moments of 2005, that brought an army of journalists to

>> >> >> cover the multitudes of mourners. In a sense it was his dying wish.

>> >> >> I was in Rome at the time but only found out about this revelation

>> >> >> afterwards. It seemed to have been buried with him or went over the

>> >> >> heads of most of those "covering"

>> >> >> a spectacle that went on for a week. His image was praised; his

>> >> >> ideas were not.

>>

>> >> >> That Pope expressed several wishes calling for a greater sense of

>> >> >> social responsibility in the media, and for the media, too, saying:

>>

>> >> >> "Promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and

>> >> >> correct

>> >> >> vision

>> >> >> of human development by reporting events accurately and truthfully,

>> >> >> analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum

>> >> >> for different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using

>> >> >> the powerful

>> >> >> communication media must be situated within the context of a mature

>> >> >> exercise

>> >> >> of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of

>> >> >> truth and justice."

>>

>> >> >> He also spoke about media ownership:

>>

>> >> >> "I would like to recall our attention to the subject of media

>> >> >> access, and of co-responsible participation in their

>> >> >> administration.

>> >> >> If the communications media are a good destined for all humanity,

>> >> >> then ever-new means must be found - including recourse to opportune

>> >> >> legislative measures -

>> >> >> to make possible a true participation in their management by all.

>> >> >> The

>> >> >> culture of co-responsibility must be nurtured."

>>

>> >> >> Unlike other papal passions, however, implementing this wish cannot

>> >> >> rely on

>> >> >> faith alone-it will take practical steps.

>>

>> >> >> Changing our media demands action and ideas on many fronts,

>> >> >> including the legislative, regulatory, institutional, and

>> >> >> educational. It's about changing

>> >> >> structures of power and ways of looking at the world. It demands

>> >> >> thought about what we want from ourselves, not just others. It

>> >> >> requires a new consciousness among those that make media and those

>> >> >> that consume it.

>> >> >> Some years back in discussing my media manifesto, The Death of

>> >> >> Media,

>> >> >> (Melville House Books) the editors of Buzzflash noted:

>>

>> >> >> "The conventional media is such a huge part of the crisis we face

>> >> >> as a democracy that it is hard to even talk about issues. The

>> >> >> corporate media goes wherever the White House or the latest missing

>> >> >> bride leads them. The real news isn't profitable enough for the

>> >> >> corporate-owned press, so they don't really DO much news anymore.

>> >> >> They do public relations and entertainment.

>>

>> >> >> And they aren't going to go out on a limb to report much of the

>> >> >> truth about the Bush Administration lies, deception and imperial

>> >> >> presidency, because they are afraid that the vengeance-driven

>> >> >> Busheviks will sabotage their corporate bottom line."

>>

>> >> >> Let's admit that the problem goes deeper than just what THEY do

>> >> >> wrong--because they have been following the same ideological

>> >> >> approach for decades. Yes, it is also about the failure of what WE

>> >> >> are not doing right, of the refusal of political movements and

>> >> >> activists to take up this problem,

>> >> >> not just as occasional reaction to some outrage such as the George

>> >> >> and Charlie Show but as an ongoing issue, a problem of democracy as

>> >> >> deep as lobbyists, money in politics and various policy questions.

>>

>> >> >> You cannot have a real democracy without a really free media.

>> >> >> Period. If the

>> >> >> public is not being informed, and, in fact, is continually

>> >> >> misinformed, people will not vote in their best interest. Period.

>>

>> >> >> Most candidates and political parties raise hundreds of millions to

>> >> >> influence the media, to buy airtime, and get on TV. They know that

>> >> >> all politics is media politics in America. There's even a word for

>> >> >> it: "The air

>> >> >> war." They know the media sets the agenda, spins the news, and

>> >> >> decides what

>> >> >> will and will not be discussed. The war in Iraq grinds on partly

>> >> >> because the

>> >> >> media promoted it and now mostly ignores it.

>>

>> >> >> Let's put it simply. More coverage like ABC's impartial bla bla bla

>> >> >> and Fox's GOP trench warfare and John McCain will be our next

>> >> >> president. Period.

>> >> >> The media knows how to make Sh t smell sweet. That's their

>> >> >> business.

>>

>> >> >> It's good that MoveOn has launched a petition asking the networks

>> >> >> not to do

>> >> >> what they will continue to do. At least it's a start. But so much

>> >> >> more is needed--a serious activist campaign to challenge the

>> >> >> "Views"

>> >> >> business, lobbying not just at the FCC but of all organizations on

>> >> >> the ground to put media change on their agenda, and also

>> >> >> significant, to support independent media to challenge and where

>> >> >> possible compete with the corporate media agenda.

>>

>> >> >> Let's think about the kind of "Media And Democracy Act" that will

>> >> >> include funding for media makers and media literacy educators that

>> >> >> we can all agree

>> >> >> on.

>>

>> >> >> While obscene amounts of money are being raised to fund political

>> >> >> campaigns,

>> >> >> the Indy Media sector is actually being defunded as foundations

>> >> >> pull

>> >> >> back and donors give everywhere but into a dynamic counter media.

>>

>> >> >> We need to get anti-war activists to start campaigning for honest

>> >> >> coverage from media companies that are complicit in the war. We

>> >> >> need

>> >> >> to challenge the

>> >> >> media failure to tell us that the economic crisis was coming too.

>> >> >> And

>> >> >> investigate its causes, the people responsible for the plunder.

>>

>> >> >> We need to get so-called media reform "movements" like Free Press

>> >> >> to

>> >> >> stop putting their main focus on Washington lobbying and internet

>> >> >> petitions or holding rallies they call conferences with little

>> >> >> follow-up to mount an activist campaign for media accountability.

>> >> >> Let's put some organizers in the

>> >> >> streets, not more lawyers and experts in the suites.

>>

>> >> >> The sad truth is that many of the organizations engaged in media

>> >> >> advocacy won't work together or cross-promote each other's work

>> >> >> and,

>> >> >> instead, compete

>> >> >> for funding and bragging rights. That's been our experience at

>> >> >> MediaChannel

>> >> >> which was set up as a network to promote the whole movement. We are

>> >> >> hanging

>> >> >> on when we should be flourishing as media concentration and media

>> >> >> crimes persist --yes, the word crime is not too strong, a crime

>> >> >> against democracy is what many media outlets have become.

>>

>> >> >> These are some of the ABC's of media change. Anyone listening?

>> >> >> Anyone

>> >> >> willing to act?

>>

>> >> >> --

>> >> >> NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which

>> >> >> has

>> >> >> not always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such

>> >> >> material available to advance understanding of

>> >> >> political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice

>> >> >> issues. I

>> >> >> believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material

>> >> >> as

>> >> >> provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

>> >> >> Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

>>

>> >> >> "A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over,

>> >> >> their spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight,

>> >> >> restore their government to its true principles. It is true that

>> >> >> in

>> >> >> the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit,

>> >> >> and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous

>> >> >> public debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we

>> >> >> must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an

>> >> >> opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this

>> >> >> is

>> >> >> a game where principles are at

>> >> >> stake."

>> >> >> -Thomas Jefferson

>>

>> >> > A couple of their own break liberal news ranks and ask some hard

>> >> > questions, and it's a "debacle"?

>>

>> >> There are no "liberal news ranks" and the questions that were asked

>> >> weren't

>> >> "hard," only irrelevant.

>>

>> >> > Can't wait for the general election!

>>

>> >> Practice saying "President Obama."

>>

>> > Can you say, Black Surrender Monkey?

>>

>> Can you say Doddering Old White Fascist?

>

> Yes. Doddering Old White Fascist.

Congratulations. You just named John McCain as the big loser, fascistboy

Can you say "For all Operation Chaos did in Pa., Obama is still only single

digits down.

"ZNUYBV" <tjwilson6531@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:5f8e5b7f-02b7-4b29-8a09-4b9607ea7ae6@w5g2000prd.googlegroups.com...

> On Apr 21, 12:13 pm, "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > "znuybv" <thowil...@gmail.com> wrote in message

> >

> >

news:707f509e-e47e-4cd0-a14e-9c81b364806f@p25g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

> >

> > > On Apr 21, 11:26 am, "Lamont Cranston" <Lamont.Crans...@umbra.com>

> > > wrote:

> > >> Taylor wrote:

> > >> > "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote in message

> > >> >news:480cc564$0$21500$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com...

> > >> >> After The ABC News Debacle: How To Change Media - Why Making Media

> > >> >> The Issue

> > >> >> Is Crucial For Saving Democracy

> >

> > >> >> By Danny Schechter

> >

> > >> >> Created Apr 19 2008 - 11:27am

> >

> > >> >> How ironic that in the same week that the National Association of

> > >> >> Broadcasters gave actor Tim Robins a platform to challenge media

> > >> >> gatekeepers

> > >> >> to open the airwaves to more perspectives ABC NEWS gave us all a

> > >> >> classic example of how a network can dumb down a presidential

debate

> > >> >> and turn it into a disgraceful hit job rather than an enlightening

> > >> >> hit.

> > >> >> Rather than advance the political high that so many are having

with

> > >> >> an exciting campaign, it set a new low in TV coverage and was a

blow

> > >> >> to our political discourse.

> >

> > >> >> Oddly, the other big news revolved around the Pope's visit.

Benedict

> > >> >> knew how to get attention in the US press--by talking about sexual

> > >> >> perversion. What he didn't discuss, and what the media didn't

remind

> > >> >> us of, was the last

> > >> >> concerns of his Saintly predecessor Pope John Paul 11. That Pope

> > >> >> focused on

> > >> >> a subject that most media outlets cover the least: their own