Buy Back The Media. Reward Fund For Reporters And Whistleblowers

[DUreader]

If a fund were set up so that people could channel donations toward

reporters who will then get paid for reporting certain stories or asking certain

questions, would folks donate.

Maybe have extra general funds for reporters who get fired as a result.

It is a vague idea right now but the model is like MoveOn's pol. ads

and the Dean Dozen type thing.

Also a separate fund, same type of model, cash for whistle blowers whose

charges prove true.


on edit: Slower moving forum link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=12147&mesg_id=12147

[dirtyduck]

1. I'm on board

[LuminousX]

2. I'm intrigued

I'd have to see the details but yeah, very intrigued.

[DUreader]

4. I'd have to give credit for the name inspiration to DU's Symbolman

I'm not much of a details person, but am full of vague ideas.

This seems like it might be pretty simple.

[LuminousX]

6. Putting Bounty on Questions

I think simply saying the first reporter to ask X and force a substantive answer gets $N.

Like right now, I think some pertinent questions that aren't being asked are "What happened to the missing votes?"

[DUreader]

8. Right, a bounty to which folks could donate/pledge any small/large amount

I like that term bounty

[DireStrike]

3. Excellent idea. Where are our organizational people?

[hlthe2b]

5. Maybe if it were Nobel Prize-level rewards, but most would not consider

a monetary award as sufficient reason to risk their job, if their publisher has taken exception to what they are doing...

Not trying to blow smoke, but, my suggestion is to solicit George Soros (who has already indicated an intention to keep up his website and keep involved) to take on 1. funding & lobbying for a renewal of the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE; 2. to consider purchasing with a consortium of like-minded big investors (perhaps Ted Turner? perhaps with some of the major environmental nonprofits? ) CNN or another very large media outlet.

I've already sent an email to Soros (www.georgesoros.com). If many of us did, he might just look into this issue on our behalf. Perhaps he would work WITH us, in fact! Right now, I think he is taking a short break, but if many of you wish to persue this, why not contact him?

[DUreader]

7. But Small Change From The People Raised Tens of Million$ this year.

I'm always in favor of parrallel strategies and coalitions.

[hlthe2b]

11. Oh, I don't mean to underestimate the impact of the millions who sent

the money they could-- which combined had tremendous impact. Definitely NOT! I'm very proud of all of our efforts and we have shown that the grass roots efforts can be very powerful.

But, I believe with the deck stacked against us in Congress, the Courts, and the media, that it may take partnership with those who have powerful influence, extensive contacts & networks, and knowledge to focus our $$ and efforts. That to me is why our energies, efforts, and troops might partner naturally in a joint goal with a Soros or someone like him. Maybe, an environmental consortium like Redford and his groups... Maybe the Hollywood sector. Maybe Bill Gates.....? I just want us to expend our efforts in such a way that we are not splintered, thereby losing potential impact...

[DUreader]

9. a kick before I go

see ya a little later

[Catfight]

10. Start with the lady who took the pictures of the coffins and was fired.

[DUreader]

12. it might be more difficult to do retro-actively.

I'd like to encourage new folks to 'step up to the plate'

[DUreader]

13. kick

[DUreader]

14. kick for the weekend folks