Nance Greggs and I have planned a massive media sweep in January. We'd like to put together a veritable avalanche of letters of protest to not only the major media outlets, but to our newly-elected Congress as well, detailing our issues with the actions and attitude the media is taking (and has taken for the past several years) with respect to this Administration, the Republicans, and now the Democrats.
I shouldn't need to outline our reasons, but I will.
First, the consolidation and monopoly of our television and print media sources since its deregulation in the nineties. Only a handful of conglomerates now own most of the sources of information in this country available to the average American.
Second, the media's nearly total capitulation on the "facts" presented to us in the run-up to the Iraq War. They didn't act like journalists, they acted like cheerleaders. That is NOT their job.
Third, the purchase of certain news agents behind the scenes to promote specific points of view. When journalists accept money from RW sources tied to this Administration and the Republican Party to pass propaganda to the public, this is a violation of trust and should be prosecutable.
Fourth, the subtle (and sometimes NOT so subtle) use of language to alter public perception of news articles and events. (Helping to portray Democrats as "obstructionists" while the Republicans are in power, but calling for "bipartisanship" now that the Democrats are going to be taking control of Congress."
Fifth. Fox News being allowed to call itself "Fair and Balanced."
Sixth. The meme that the media, as a whole, is "liberal" in the face of the obvious spin to the contrary.
Seventh. The portrayal of ordinary political maneuvering within the incoming Congress specifically designed to paint the Democratic Party as "fractured."
Eighth. The clear deception on the part of the media conglomerates to marginalize the anti-war protests.
Ninth. The use of RW talking point bulletins in lieu of actual investigation into the claims of this Administration. When one can turn on ANY cable news channel and hear the SAME phrase being echoed by nearly all of the talking heads, something has gone terribly wrong with our media.
Tenth. The portrayal of those who stand in certain, unequivocal opposition to the policies of this Administration and the Republican Party as "far left" when surveys clearly show that the majority of Americans support such things as universal healthcare, a raise in the minimum wage, stricter environmental protections, more reliance on renewable energy, and an end to the Iraq War.
11th. The deliberate suppression of such news as illegal wiretaps on American citizens, torture at Abu Graib and elsewhere, bills in Congress that blatantly strip American Citizens of Constitutional protections, the Downing Street Minutes, the Pat Tillman scandal, the Jessica Lynch story, and so on.
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For all of these reasons, and reasons unstated, we must now stand and declare the corporate media as an ENEMY, not a servant, of the people. We need to send a strong message to the American Media, our new Congress, foreign media, and the public at large, that we are indeed aware of how this has gone down.
We propose a massive media blitz, including e-mails, LTTEs, phone calls to Congress, physical protests in strategic locations, and any other form of communication that will get the point across to the media, our politicians, and the public at large.
Originally we were considering January 15th, but it was pointed out to me that the date would conflict with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and that another date might be better. So I'm recommending it for JANUARY 9th.
Any input would be very welcome.
edited to add link to original post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2739623&mesg_id=2739623
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