What can we do about the state of the American media?

by Dollars & Sense

The state of the American media has been on the Dollars & Sense mind a lot lately, with our publication of the second edition of Eesha Williams' Grassroots Journalism, the National Conference for Media Reform in Memphis in January, last night's event at encuentro 5 with David Barsamian, Cynthia Peters, and local radio producers Linda Pinkow and John Grebe, and this afternoon's radio discussion of media matters on 88.1 WMBR's Spherio.

Grassroots Journalism is, as its subtitle tells us, a practical guide to practicing grassroots journalism: journalism about and in support of the strength, knowledge, experience, hopes, and deeds of ordinary people. The National Conference for Media Reform was an inspiring and important gathering of 3,000 people to discuss media issues ranging from media concentration and FCC regulations to media criticism, writing op eds, and what's next for alternative media. The encuentro 5 event and the Spherio broadcast were lively discussions among alternative media workers about how to increase our influence. Through this book and these events, we've learned that the ownership of multiple media outlets by entertainment corporations fosters programming that makes it hard to tell not only where the entertainment ends and the ad begins, but also where the news ends and the entertainment begins. We've learned that media concentration destroys local coverage and makes news media irrelevant to peoples' lives. We've learned that media concentration tightens the institutional bonds that keep even the most earnest mainstream reporters bound to the wishes of their outlets' executives and advertisers. We've learned that such commercialized media encourage a similarly commercialized public, which is bad for democracy. And we've learned that the alternative media can only get us so far—and we're not sure in what direction.

The one question that keeps recurring, though, is this: All right. So the American media are in dire shape. What can we do about it?

Here are a few possible answers.

• Go to conferences. These aren't always the best places to find answers, it's true— but you will be inspired and energized, and you're bound to learn something. Two of the best conferences on media are the National Conference for Media Reform and Women, Action, & the Media (March 30 & April 1 at MIT). And find conferences on other topics, not just media, that interest you.


• Read, watch, and listen to independent and alternative media. Among other things, these media keep the spirit of those conferences alive during the times that we can't all be gathered together sharing ideas. No one is better than the alternative media at reminding you that you're not alone.


• Make sure that other people can enjoy your favorite alternative media, too. The most concrete action idea I saw come out of the National Conference for Media Reform was a campaign to get Amy Goodman's Democracy Now on more radio stations. I think this is good, but it doesn't go far enough. We need not only Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! but also David Barsamian's Alternative Radio, Linda Pinkow's What's Left, John Grebe's Sounds of Dissent, Lisa Rudman's Making Contact, Spherio... Ask for these programs on your local stations. It may not be easy, but it will be easier if you organize before you ask. You can also help spread independent print media. Need to give gifts to your friends and family? Make them subscribers to Dollars & Sense, Mother Jones, In These Times...


• Independent radio stations and cable access stations, as well as the Internet, are important and public resources that we must never let the FCC take from us and give to the corporate media. Get involved with Free Press' campaigns on these issues.


• Ask your local paper to reprint your favorite articles from the independent media. Most of independents would be happy to oblige. Again, don't expect this to be easy; but organizing will make it easier. It will also be easier to approach a neighborhood paper than a city-wide paper in a large city.


• Write letters to the editor or even op eds for your daily paper. At the encuentro 5 event last night, a woman in the audience pointed out that here in Boston we've got a quirky but indispensable resource in the free daily Metro. Tons of transit commuters read it each day, and it publishes a broad range of letters and op eds.


• Help make it possible for conscientious journalists to make a living as journalists. If you favorite independent magazine or radio station asks you to donate: DO IT. We can't survive without you.


• My personal favorite comes from The Nation's Roberto Lovato, who questioned how he ended up on a panel at the National Conference for Media Reform when what he wants is a media revolution. Lovato raised the question of why we never heard much in the mainstream media about last year's political unrest in Oaxaca. His answer? "They took over radio stations in Oaxaca. Do you think Clear Channel is going to tell us about people taking over radio stations? We might get ideas!" Direct action! (At the encuentro 5 event, another woman in the audience pointed out that the local Fox affiliate's tendency to film morning news segments on the sidewalk across from state house affords an irresistible opportunity to get your issue on the air as a backdrop.)

Labels: media

 

2/01/2007 11:03:00 PM