Internet Control and Media Future. 2 / 3

PlayList PART 1+2+3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUNNztmYHks&feature=PlayList&p=4556CDF...

June 06, 2008
Democracy Now!

... Media Reform ...

PART 2 / 2
Robert McChesney and Josh Silver of Free Press on the National Conference for Media Reform

Nearly 3,000 people have come from across the nation for what's become known as the most important gathering of the growing movement for media reform. Participants will hear lectures, take workshops and strategize on efforts to fight media consolidation and democratize the airwaves. Speakers include Dan Rather, Bill Moyers, Arianna Huffington, Van Jones, Naomi Klein and dozens more.


How did we end up with a media system like this? In a democratic society with a wonderful Constitution, with a great tradition of liberty, how did we end up with a media system which has denigrated local coverage, which has given us a lot of fluff and hyper-commercialism. How did we end up with a media system controlled by a handful of corporations driven by commercial values? This was not intended by the founders. There's nothing in the Constitution authorizing this. And it's not a free-market system. It is clear that it was a system set up by the government with direct and indirect subsidies made in the public's name but without its consent, going back to the foundation of broadcasting, when really powerful interests pushed through the commercial system with very little public support. The problem is just as severe now. In fact, it's getting worse.

It's an epic battle that's happening right now, and essentially what it is is the cable and phone companies, they control 98 percent of internet connections in the country, high-speed. They are trying to pass legislation that would allow them to block content, so they can decide which websites move fast and which move slow. This actually really is the question of: will the internet become like cable TV, where they, the phone and cable companies, determine what's on, how fast it goes and how much it costs? Or will it be open and democratic, the way it is today? This is not a conspiracy theory. Comcast, the cable giant, was just recently caught blocking content of movie downloads that competed with their own products.

But what's really important, getting back to the bigger picture here, it's millions and millions of people are understanding that these rather technical arcane issues are really about whether or not the American people are going to have access to the facts, whether they're going to have access to critical journalism that they need to be participants in a democracy. The only way we're going to win is if we have millions of people continue to get involved, to raise their voices and to demand better media, because if we don't, we're going to lose, and the corporations will seize control of the internet and the future of the media for generations.

PlayList PART 1+2+3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUNNztmYHks&feature=PlayList&p=4556CDF...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• USA
• America
• American
• Media
• Reform
• FCC
• Federal
• Communications
• Commission
• Commissioner
• Government
• Online
• Download
• Email
• Free
• Speech
• Republican
• Internet
• Censorship
• Regulations
• Control
• Crisis
• Network
• Net
• Neutrality
• Reality
• Liberty
• Facts
• Tax
• Information
• Manipulation
• Perception
• Management
• Science
• Suppression
• Robert
• McChesney
• Josh
• Silver
• Dan
• Rather
• Bill
• Moyers
• Copps
• Distorting
• Chomsky
• Jesus

[bunmeguy]

these video's are sick thanks for posting them, but seriously wat is that song they play

[gfde08]

"The Media" by "Welfare Poets" :)

[mikhaze03]

It's Happening right now . SOPA/PIPA + ACTA . Share and Spread Awareness .

[greencatmusic]

You guys are my all time heros. Any Goodman you rock, girl. Stay strong and stay true. Know you all will anyway. Love coming your way from UK. Lyn (Smith)

[yankeepedaler]

Corporate media and corrupt government work hand in hand. As long as the people with the money continue to make the rules, the rules are going to continue to benefit them. The people who run for major political office in this country are already gone by the time you and I even hear their name.

[GinsingSullivan]

Media monopolies are created by gov't interference. More regulation is not the answer. What has happened to our free market and our freedom of speech?? Down with "net neutrality"!!