Media Reform Links

If you've read the previous post, you probably are wondering -- like I did -- "Just how much do these companies like GE, Disney, and Viacom actually own, and which parts of the American pie (and perhaps the global pie) do they have their hands in?"

I just Googled for it, and found it at http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php

Their holdings are staggering within the media realm, though I'm wondering how to find out who's connected with the energy companies, the auto companies, the tobacco companies, banking, and other industries. I'm sure that info is out there somewhere, but possibly a bit more deeply hidden.

I'm just posting this in case anyone sees fit to cull the good bits from it for their own pro-media-reform presentation.

Hello and welcome. Thanks for coming. Today, I'll first DELIVER my brief presentation, and then we can follow it up with QUESTIONS LATER.

I need to start by saying there is a real need for mass media reform in America, so that citizens can honestly communicate with one another.

There are THREE THINGS I'd like to highlight today...

Message 1: First, mass media exerts a strong influence on our decisions about what to purchase, how to vote, and even what has value. Therefore, no matter what your most important political issue is, media reform needs to be the second most important issue on your list.

Message 2: Second, in the last two decades, federal laws on media consolidation have been weakened. As a result, five major corporations now own/control this country's largest broadcast television networks.

Message 3: Third, our democracy depends on having well-informed citizens, or it just won't function. People vote according to the information they receive. If voters receive information from the mass media that is skewed in favor of large corporations, they are more likely to vote for candidates and issues that those corporations support.

Let me tell you more about my first point... Media reform is important for every American, regardless of your background. Without fair and equitable access to the mass media, its very difficult to get your point of view on an issue heard. For example, if a news show portrays a public event unevenly, there is no means available within the mass media for citizens to offer a countering perspective.

Let me tell you more about my second point... Disney, Viacom, GE, Newscorp and AOL-Time Warner have an unhealthy stranglehold on the state of mass media in the USA. The networks they own include ABC, CBS, UPN, NBC, FOX, WB and Telemundo. In addition to television networks, these large corporations also own most of the radio stations and daily newspapers. These media networks serve as easy PR tools for the companies that own them. This is because the viewers mistakenly think television messages are neutral, while the news and other television programs actually serve to benefit their holding corporations. In addition, the programs serve a dual purpose of luring people in, so they can watch the commercials.

The FCC has been awarding leases to use the public airwaves to these corporations for free, originally with the expectation that they would serve the public good by keeping the citizens informed. However, they now use this gift as a commercial advertising venture, and these corporations earn billions of dollars every year. Rather – and this is an important point – the public airwaves would be better used by the public for the improvement of our educational system, our politics, and our community communication.

Let me tell you more about my third point... Democracy depends on an informed populous. People vote according to the information they see and hear from others. Now, citizens in the US are guaranteed the right to free speech; however, this in no way guarantees the common person the same kind of mass free speech offered to corporations who control mass media. As an example, you could speak your truth to a group of friends and perhaps influence them on products to buy or who to vote for.

Or perhaps you could influence 1000 interested people in an auditorium, or even to 10,000 people through a page on youTube. However, this does not compare to a dressed-up news commentator who may speak with an air of authority to a million people passively watching television. The Internet may help a little, but the vast majority of Americans still make their voting decisions based on what they see on the television. If the people vote based on incomplete or skewed information, democracy is thwarted, and the true will of the people is not known.


To recap:

• Whoever you are, whatever your issue, if you want to be heard, you need to have a media system that allows you access, and represents the interests of people like you, not corporate interests.
• In the last two decades, FCC rules have opened up to allow for greater media consolidation. This means there is an even greater concentration of power regarding who has a voice in the USA.
• The loud voice offered by the mass media allows these major corporations access to peoples' ears and eyes. This influences their decision-making -- ranging from what to buy, how to vote, and even what has value.
• For more information, please stop by mediareformlinks.blogspot.com.