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.
Showing posts with label united states. Show all posts
Showing posts with label united states. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Aus and U.S. Differ on Net Neutrality
The heads of Australia's three largest ISP's have called Net Neutrality a specifically American problem.
Australian ISP's have become famous for their pay by the megabyte download charges. While prices have dropped, costs still are significant enough to keep many out of the broadband loop.
The "American" model, on the other hand, offers unlimited services. U.S. ISPs unhappy with their mega profits, are introducing tiered internet access.
The answer to this dilemma is that neither approach is suitable for the community service we know as the internet. Australia needs to introduce affordable near to unlimited broadband as soon as possible if we are to see the full use of the internet for all of its multimedia uses.
Read the one sided ZDnet report here
Australian ISP's have become famous for their pay by the megabyte download charges. While prices have dropped, costs still are significant enough to keep many out of the broadband loop.
The "American" model, on the other hand, offers unlimited services. U.S. ISPs unhappy with their mega profits, are introducing tiered internet access.
The answer to this dilemma is that neither approach is suitable for the community service we know as the internet. Australia needs to introduce affordable near to unlimited broadband as soon as possible if we are to see the full use of the internet for all of its multimedia uses.
Read the one sided ZDnet report here
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ninjas For Net Neutrality
Watch as a random ninja gives a comedic insight into why we should support Net Neutrality!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Moore's Latest Film: Free On The Net!
In an internet first, Michael Moore's latest full length film, Slacker Uprising, will be be available for free online.
The film follows Moore's countrywide travels in the leadup to the 2004 elections, where he encouraged young people to take action and vote.
The film will be distributed by Robert Greenwald's progressive production company, Brave New Films. Brave New Films were the producers behind Outfoxed and War For Sale.
Check out the trailer and release date at the Slacker Uprising Website
The film follows Moore's countrywide travels in the leadup to the 2004 elections, where he encouraged young people to take action and vote.
The film will be distributed by Robert Greenwald's progressive production company, Brave New Films. Brave New Films were the producers behind Outfoxed and War For Sale.
Check out the trailer and release date at the Slacker Uprising Website
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
U.S. Digital TV Giveaway
One of the biggest stories, unreported by the mainstream press, has been the giveaway of the Digital TV spectrum to the same networks that already control the media.
With Digital TV offering the possibility of hundreds of new channels across standard definition, high definition and datacasting channels, the Black Agenda Report has rightfully labelled the giveaway an "opportunity lost".
The mainstream media has decided to instead cover the rollout of digital technologies. These vested interests are hoping that availability and take up are sufficiently large enough, so their advertising and profitability questions will hopfully work themselves out.
Sadly, however, the media is probably worst at reporting on itself and its own industry, unless what they are reporting will expose their competitors. This is why the real fight for media democracy cannot expect mainstream coverage.
See the Black Agenda Report Article Here
With Digital TV offering the possibility of hundreds of new channels across standard definition, high definition and datacasting channels, the Black Agenda Report has rightfully labelled the giveaway an "opportunity lost".
The mainstream media has decided to instead cover the rollout of digital technologies. These vested interests are hoping that availability and take up are sufficiently large enough, so their advertising and profitability questions will hopfully work themselves out.
Sadly, however, the media is probably worst at reporting on itself and its own industry, unless what they are reporting will expose their competitors. This is why the real fight for media democracy cannot expect mainstream coverage.
See the Black Agenda Report Article Here
Thursday, July 31, 2008
What Is Net Neutrality Anyway?
It can be a little distracting talking media reform sometimes. This is because ultimately if we are going to grow a movement we have to be able to relate to the wider public.
Our job is made harder by the fact that the mainstream media has so far done a sterling job in leaving the real issues off the table when it comes to issues effecting their own industry. Meaning everyday people while hating mainstream media, have little understanding of the issues that confront the movement for change.
One area where this has been clearest is Net Neutrality.
For the uninitiated, Net Neutrality is about keeping the internet as an more or less equal space for websites and content. Some big companies (particularly Comcast in the States) are trying to (with the help of the overwhemingly supportive Republicans) slow down all content that does not pay special fees meaning the internet is turned into a two tier affair where access to mainstream corporate news sites would load up instantly, while access to news sites like DemocracyNOW! and TheREALnews would be delayed making it even harder for them to attract extra viewers and revenue.
Need a deeper understanding? Read what the Huffington has to say on the matter here
In response, Rock The Net, a cd featuring the likes of Wilco, Bright Eyes and We Might be Giants, has been produced by artists concerned about this clear case of the corporate takeover of the internet. All funds raised will go to the Save The Internet campaign. Check it out here http://www.thirstyear.com/rockthenet/
Our job is made harder by the fact that the mainstream media has so far done a sterling job in leaving the real issues off the table when it comes to issues effecting their own industry. Meaning everyday people while hating mainstream media, have little understanding of the issues that confront the movement for change.
One area where this has been clearest is Net Neutrality.
For the uninitiated, Net Neutrality is about keeping the internet as an more or less equal space for websites and content. Some big companies (particularly Comcast in the States) are trying to (with the help of the overwhemingly supportive Republicans) slow down all content that does not pay special fees meaning the internet is turned into a two tier affair where access to mainstream corporate news sites would load up instantly, while access to news sites like DemocracyNOW! and TheREALnews would be delayed making it even harder for them to attract extra viewers and revenue.
Need a deeper understanding? Read what the Huffington has to say on the matter here
In response, Rock The Net, a cd featuring the likes of Wilco, Bright Eyes and We Might be Giants, has been produced by artists concerned about this clear case of the corporate takeover of the internet. All funds raised will go to the Save The Internet campaign. Check it out here http://www.thirstyear.com/rockthenet/
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