McChesney and Nichols on the Media Reform Movement

In this four-part video, prominent United States based media reform activists Robert W. McChesney and John Nichols talk about the issues confronting the media and their movement today.










Thanks to dangerousintersections.org for this all important vision from the 2008 National Conference for Media Reform.

Radical Representation and Media Reform

In White Liberals, Glass Houses and the Black Radical Journalism Tradition, Jared A. Ball goes into what he sees as some of the faults of the Media Reform movement.

Particularly perking his gaze is the movement's failure to advocate for the representation of contemporary radical views, especially African American latter day radicals.

While the problems of the movement are not always understood by some of its well meaning participants, the call for a balanced collaboration is one that must be taken on if our movement is to truely gain the respect and involvement of all sectors of society.

Fairfax Strike Ends With "Agreement"

On Monday 1 September, Fairfax media workers returned to work after what the MEAA describe as a "enterprise bargaining breakthrough".

During their four day strike, the media workers were involved in rallies at their various workplaces. Threats by management were made, but these were overcome by many journalists and other media workers unafraid to stand up to corporate interest.

The four days opened doors for people advocating for media reform in this country, in the limited space that is allocated outside the mainstream, and it will be interesting to see how the new dynamics in the media continue to evolve. One thing is for sure though, while media continues to put corporate interest, above all else, there will always be a reason to fight it. Our problem is coming together and being able to effectively advocate the changes we need and grow a wider movement around it.

More details here

Media Crisis Hits Australia

One week after announcing a massive 47% rise in net profits, to $372 million; Fairfax Media (owner of The Age and Sydney Morning Herald) has sacked 550 employees across Australia and New Zealand.

The mass sackings included The Age's editor in chief, Andrew Jaspan. ABC Radio National's The Media Report has revealed that Jaspan had a "difference of opinion" with the management in Sydney. The sacking of Jaspan, who had served as editor for the last four years, has been seen by many as a first step in the further rationaliation of the newspaper.

Chris Warren, of the MEAA(Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance), has remained tightlipped on the possibility of industrial action. Warren instead used the opportunity to play Fairfax off against the Murdoch press. The problem with this, is that it not only unnecessarily promotes the idea that the Murdoch press is actually any kind of bastion for journalism. But it also ignores the fact that change is not needed by any single entity, but to the whole media landscape if we are to not only survive, but thrive out of the current crisis.