What Next for Media Reform?

WHAT NEXT FOR MEDIA REFORM?
[SOURCE: Mediachannel.org, AUTHOR: Danny Schechter]
[Commentary] After the Media Reform Conference in Memphis, Schechter poses some questions: Shouldn't we debate what we are or are not accomplishing? Was the recent net neutrality compromise acceptable -- a guarantee on the part of AT&T's least used tier/platform and, then, only for two years? Was that really the big victory it was hyped as? Are we being deluded in hopes that a Democratic Congress will somehow save us? How do we get other issues more attention in the news -- especially Election reform? Are we building a movement or an e-mail list? Are we still trying to build bridges between media makers and media activists? Where were the criticisms of funders like the MacArthur Foundation which announced last week it was cutting off support for documentaries, pending another of those interminable internal "reviews?" Where were the demands on other funders to invest in progressive media the way the rightwing foundations have with generous long-term commitments. Why aren't we lobbying them and not just to promote one institution? There seems to be no shortage of funding for holding conferences but sustaining Indy media is not really on the agenda. Where were the U-Tube Kids, or My Space addicts or the leaders of citizen journalism initiatives? Where were the mainstream journalist organizations, and media freedom groups or were only radicals allowed? Where were the panels debating what’s really happening in the media -- the appeal of Jon Stewart and Comedy News and the failure of Air America and even concepts like media justice? Bill Moyers at least offered some ideas on how to bring PBS into the 21st Century. And what about the global media movement? Why no presence from the Al Jazeera English Channel that can't get on the air in the US? I was glad to see a rep from Britain's Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom but there were so few activists from abroad. What about publishing? How can we have 3000 plus people assemble in one place and leave with no clear focused plan of what we do next, how we work together, what's the next step? I felt the same way when I left earlier conferences in Madison and St. Louis. They were cool events -- and heady networking opportunities ­- but now what? Enough shmooze—its time to make some news!
http://www.mediachannel.org/

See also --
* What Does Media Reform Mean to You?
http://www.mediachannel.org/out.php?url=http://www.mediachannel.org/word...