Many progressive Americans sense that we are at a watershed moment in our relationship to the mainstream media. Progressive media outlets themselves feel that they, too, may be at a turning point. The media reform movement, spearheaded by Bob McChesney and others, aroused only marginal passion several years ago but it took off like a rocket in 2003 as a result… return to article
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Reader Comments (15)Page 1 of 1 pagesExcellent piece!
Susan J. Douglas does an great job of pragmatically issuing a call to arms. . . From a month-old post: “What is at stake is nothing less than our freedom and that of our children. The penalty for failure is death or imprisonment for us, slavery for our kids. This is the ultimate incentive.”Unfortunately, many people do not see a sense of urgency even though half of our Bill of Rights currently lays shredded in the Justice Department basement. [Ashcroft is doing a disservice to his entire organization]. Since many people don’t want to see the truth [and who can blame them, the founding fathers of our nation ran into a similar problem 300 years ago] it falls to progressives to point out the very real situation we are in and what is the penalty for failure. This call to arms can set the stage for action.
Since we have already seen the lengths to which some people are willing to go to silence dissent in this administration, it should come as no suprise that the opposite end of the spectrum will need to the following:
1. Take inventory of resources.
2. Marshal forces and reach out to others.
3. Issue directives and join battle with a cohesive plan for victory.
4. Be willing to adjust to tactical realities on the ground.
5. Be patient and organized.Even if we read everything from Goebbels to Sun Tzu and really think a whole lot about it, action and heart will carry the day. The author does a great job counseling patience with seeing the big picture, while recognizing that most of us have jobs and families that demand almost 25-hour-a-day commitments. Therefore, combining our resouces is essential to assure victory.
Thank you for calling attention to the importance of winning hearts and minds. Even 3500 years ago, this was as important to winning wars as it is today. And, most importantly, for pointing out that most people in America actually agree on the this administration’s policies!!! This is crucial, like having fertile soil in which to plant. We are very fortunate to have all the soil we need; it’s just time to roll up our sleeves, call a neighbor, and plant like crazy.
Posted by Ed Mellon on Oct 17, 2003 at 10:55 PM The Internet has replaced the mainstream news networks as the only sources of reliable information and accurate news reporting. It also is well on the way to totally replacing the broadcast media with voices of dissent that do not echo the mantra of the Bush/PNAC administration. These voices will not be intimidated, and the will not be bought. They work for free and survive on listener donations!
Get your news by reading the updated newslinks at http://tvnewslies.org every day…or at any of the other excellent news sites that link to one another.
Even more…tune in at noon every weekday (ET) to hear TVNL Live Call in Radio counter media deception. For two hours every day you have a chance to hear what CNN won’t tell you, and to express your own views and concerns.
Posted by Reg on Oct 18, 2003 at 2:12 AM “homophobic, racist, sexist Neanderthals”?! I admit I lean right on most issues but I always think it’s pathetic to be a conservative that only reads the Wall Street Journal and National Review Online.
I read In These Times b/c it brings up some issues that you just don’t hear elsewhere (and keeps me from becoming somebody who would actually think Pat Buchanan is smart).
That above quote is just pathetic. It puts me right back into the camp of thinking this is nothing but a yellow rag. Although none of you believe this most of us are not racist, we do respect women, and we’re hardworking people (though I concede some of are, and you would, if you’re honest- hello anti-Semtic Black Panthers- concede you are too). I’ve worked at Hull House in Chicago, I’ve been a mentor, and I have 2 gay friends who are actual, real friends (yeah, I know, rah for me, but it’s true and you’re lame for callijng me the above names).
Please don’t drop journalistic standards to muckraking. I feel like going back to only The Nation to keep me in check when this hyperbole comes up.
Anyway, I apologize for the length and for those of you sick of seeing my postings. Just my thoughts.
Posted by Ty on Oct 18, 2003 at 2:57 AM I agree wholeheartedly with your article. I was dumbfounded when most of the mainstream media (TV, major newspapers and magazines) did not question the sudden urgency by the Bush administration to leave Afghanistan at midpoint and then make unfounded and unsubstantiated charges against Iraq. I realized then that I had to get my news sources elsewhere. I subscribe to some of the sources you wrote about and I think that outlets that express a more progressive view will become more popular. I’m sick of the right-wing bullshit that passes for “news” these days.
Posted by Steve McLaughlin on Oct 18, 2003 at 4:41 AM Let’s just be honest about this- The American people, particularly urban people- are just too damn stupid to figure things out for themselves.
Corporate media is shoving its agenda down their throats for its own gain (helllllo Philip Morris).
The American people are pathetic children. We have to get our media back and force our message out. Discussion should be limited for the short term as they have limited ours. We should do what is right.
Posted by Sam Ger on Oct 18, 2003 at 3:07 PM Great article. I just want to point out that one thing I do not think the left should do is merely resort to counter-propaganda, ie. using our own propaganda to counter that of the right.
One example of this would be to use the word “lies” too broadly to characterize the right’s PR tactics. There are other words with clearer technical meanings sometimes, such as: fabricate, obfuscate, distort, conceal, distract, etc. Let’s show the public that we, unlike them, are not completely out-of-phase with reality.
Furthermore, I must say that Shut Jally’s Media Education Foundation is a fine organization for some of its work. But some of it’s videos cross the line into the hypocritical position of indulging in the very propaganda techniques it blasts the corporate media of doing.
Although I am as enthusiatic as anyone about “taking back the media” I think that the maxim “the revolution will not be televised” still applies, no matter who is holding the video camera!
Posted by Mike on Oct 18, 2003 at 6:54 PM Great piece and also wonderful that you invited people in to comment.
Fun is the key.
People have literally been seduced by mainstream media into doing things that aren’t in their best interest. We who are desperate to have our voices of warning heard will never have an audience if we recite the miles of reasons that this administration is so dangerously out of control.
I’m afraid we’ll have to seduce the masses of mainstream media consumers—with comedy! Fortunately, creativity, love and dedication is on our side.
Lets laugh together and reconnect in a way that unites us as we work towards our goal of a truly fair and balanced media.
btw—I will initiate this idea for conversation on Thom Hartmann’s discussion list. His show, on ieAmerica.com, Sirius and a growing list of am stations is informative, entertaining interactive, fair and balanced. He just wrote an excellent article at Commondreams.org
The Battle Hymn of the New Liberal Media : a good business plan
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1016-06.htm
Posted by Sue on Oct 20, 2003 at 4:59 AM Corporate media is shoving its agenda down the entire world„s throat. Americans just happen to be at the forefront of all this psychological conditioning is all.
Posted by Owen on Oct 20, 2003 at 11:25 AM Great article.
For too long now we as a country have been subjected to the singular views of the ‘right wing’ media.
Nothing seems more ironic than four ‘panelists/pundits’ who are all conservative screaming about the ‘liberal media.’
I agree we who consider ourselves progressives need a more unified voice. And we need to talk tougher.
Let’s face it a Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hananity shows no shame in saying whatever furthers his agenda with no regard for the facts.
Listen to ditto man and those of a similar ilk and you hear incredible distortions of the facts.
Why is that important? I try to teach students the difference beteween facts and truth. My example: if I turn off the light it’s a fact the light is different, but is it the truth the light is too low, or is it just right, or is it still too bright?
Each person determines the truth based on the facts. So when the ‘right’ distorts the facts their arguments fall short no matter how ‘good’ their logic.
In all cases incorrect facts always create falsehood, not truth.
We of differing poltical and social philosophies can disagree on ‘truth’ but should all use real ‘facts’ as opposed to made up information.
I would argue if we could get the American people to understand and realize how badly the ‘right’ distorts the facts we would easily sway untold voters.
One other quick note: notice how ‘right wing’ commentators and pundits always interrupt a ‘liberal’ commentator or pundit. I believe this is on purpose as a part of the strategy to ensure the ‘liberal’s’ point never gets to go full length, lest some viewers ‘get it’ and agree.
Posted by Chris Stevens on Oct 20, 2003 at 3:28 PM Excellent piece by Ms. Douglas. I have been telling my online discussion groups and anybody who will listen that progressives need to learn from the tactics and strategies of the right. Even though the left hasn’t the financial resources, we can still easily use some of the techniques of the right wing. A perfect example is the current predicament of Rush Limbaugh, which offers the left a great opportunity to marginalize this important spokesman of the right. We must not go soft and be sympathetic to this hypocrite. I think we let Bill Bennett, another right wing hypocrite, off the hook too easily.
Posted by Ed Rollins on Oct 20, 2003 at 5:56 PM The author may be calling for the formation of a new political party, and I’m all for it.
I may be wrong, but I think that recent efforts along these lines haven’t gotten much traction. It may be that the progressive movement needs to unite under the banner of a Progressive Party—or something like it. Does such an animal exist at present?
Posted by Jon R. Koppenhoefer on Oct 21, 2003 at 6:30 AM I agree that we need to do what ever it takes to get on radio. However, many stations have their shows locked in and do not want to change. Check out Randi Rhodes at www.therandirhodesshow.com I listen on the internet. She is great and a strong voice for the progressive, liberal, Democratic voice!
Posted by Catherine Brabant on Oct 21, 2003 at 2:41 PM David Gergen made an interesting observation on NPR the other day. He said that “facts on the ground” will trump the misinformation put out by the White House. Soldiers dying daily; nine million Americans out of work; 42 million without healthcare. Think how many families and loved ones are connected to the millions who are suffering in some form, and you have a ready-to-listen audiece. Push the facts—in articles, essays, and books—but also in soundbites. They’re easier to grasp, and many times the people know the rest of the story. The soundbites validate.
Posted by sageliteratus on Oct 21, 2003 at 4:24 PM An excellent call to arms, one that needs to be more widely circulated. The good news is that we already have many good organizations that have been created and run by progressives and radical who want to take on the mainstream media. Unfortunately, progressives aren’t always good about putting their money where their mouth is. Have each of you made an effort subscribe to more than one alternative magazine, besides the big ones like In These Times, Z, and the Progressive? I know that you all have the money to do this, but you aren’t doing it. And there are many progressive websites out there that could use more funding, like Indymedia, or the website I run, Infoshop (6 million monthly hits and nearing its 9th anniversary).
The media reform organizations exist. We all need to do a better job of supporting them.
Posted by Chuck Munson on Oct 22, 2003 at 5:33 AM I found you while Googling for Frank Rich. Great article. I agree that the Bush administration is the most dangerous we’ve ever had.
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