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Announcement :: Media |
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Creating Alternative Media: Examples from Urbana-Champaign |
Current rating: 0 |
by John K. Wilson
Email: jkwilso2 (nospam) ilstu.edu (verified) |
08 May 2005
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Representatives from local alternative media discuss urbana.indymedia.org, independent radio, community wireless, and progressive newspapers: Weds. May 11, 12:30-1:30pm, Krannert lobby. |
Representatives from local alternative media discuss urbana.indymedia.org, independent radio, community wireless, and progressive newspapers.
Wednesday, May 11
12:30pm-1:30pm
Krannert Lobby
A brownbag lunchtime workshop during the Illinois Initiative for Media Policy Research conference at the U of I
Free and open to all
Participants:
Bill Taylor, Primary Communications Project
Sascha Meinrath, Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network
Mike Lehman, WRFU
Darrin Drda, public i
Sandra Ahten, WEFT
Paul Riismandel, Urbana.indymedia.org (and WEFT)
John K. Wilson, Campus Journalism Project (new U of I student newspaper)
Learn more about these alternative media outlets and discover how you can get involved and become the media! Email John K. Wilson at cjp (at) indypress.org for more information. |
See also:
http://www.iimpr.org
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This work is in the public domain |
Comments
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Re: Creating Alternative Media: Examples from Urbana-Champaign |
by 2 cents
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
10 May 2005
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New Study Debunks U.S. 'Media Monopoly' Fears, Finds Choices for Consumers Are Growing, Not Shrinking
Media Ownership Guidelines Seen as Increasingly Irrelevant in Changing Marketplace; Most Worries About Control and Content Issues Based on Anecdotes, Not Facts
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2005 /LongDistanceWorld.com/ -- It is a myth that U.S. media ownership is over concentrated today and that programming choices available to American consumers are shrinking or somehow have been impaired, according to a new 50-page report authored by MIT media consultant Benjamin M. Compaine, who is the author of 12 major books on media ownership and Internet topics. In the midst of ongoing court, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and public debate about media consolidation, the study finds that fears about media control and program choices are not based on fact and also reflect increasingly outdated notions of how consumers use media at a point in time when millions are shifting their attention to the Internet and other digital technologies.
How far off base are concerns about television, radio and newspaper ownership?
Key facts included in the Compaine report include the following: The three traditional broadcast networks -- ABC, CBS and NBC -- have seen their prime time ratings slide by about two thirds from the 1970s to date. In the largest U.S. markets, there typically are 15 or more separate owners of radio stations -- and most of even the smallest markets in the U.S. have more radio competition than local TV and newspapers combined. A review of 17 studies finds that chain-owned newspapers have greater latitude in determining editorial policy than do editors at family-controlled newspapers. Current measures for media ownership do not take into account the massive shift over the last 10 years in which two-thirds of Americans use the Internet for information gathering purposes, including viewing television and reading newspaper content.
Prepared for the New Millennium Research Council, the Compaine report is entitled "The Media Monopoly Myth: How New Competition is Expanding Our Sources of Information and Entertainment." The study concludes: "The empirical reality does not support the notion that in the United States, in 2004, consumers of content via the media have fewer choices of sources or fewer choices than have been available to them in the past. Just the opposite is true for television: viewers have more choices from more sources than at any time in the history of the medium ... There is no support for the contention that media ownership by chains or conglomerates leads to any consistent pattern of lowered standards, content, or performance when compared with media owned by families or small companies."
Compaine, who is a member of the editorial board of The Journal of Media Economics and the author of such books as "Who Owns the Media?" and "The Internet Upheaval," said: "The reality is that consumers have more media content choices today than ever before and that is likely to continue to be the case. It can be argued that policymakers have been concentrating on the wrong issues -- the financial size of media companies or the number of eyeballs tuned in to local programming -- rather than whether consumers have a wider range of programming options from which to choose, as is the case today. What we are seeing is a media environment that is changing so rapidly that traditional notions of 'media ownership' and 'concentration' have become irrelevant. Overly restrictive federal ownership guidelines seeking to remedy these misplaced concerns about media ownership and content are now dysfunctional fixes for a phantom problem."
Adam T. Thierer, senior fellow and director of the PFF Center for Digital Media Freedom, said: "Once again, Ben Compaine has shown that the media sky has never been brighter. His seminal earlier research, and this latest NMRC report, provide conclusive proof that the media marketplace is far more dynamic and competitive than at any time in history."
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, various federal agencies have been called on to pass judgment on dozens of proposed mergers and acquisitions. Congress weighed in with specific orders to the FCC to eliminate many ownership restrictions on radio and television broadcasters. And in 2003, the Commission issued new rules on radio and broadcast television ownership limits. The FCC rules were stayed by various appellate courts and remain under active review today by the judiciary.
For the full findings of the Compaine study, go to http://www.thenmrc.org.
Source: New Millennium Research Council, Washington, D.C. |
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Jack Droppings? |
by Dose or Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
10 May 2005
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The so-called "New Millennium Research Council" is nothing but the front for and a product of the masters of astro-turf PR, Issue Dynamics Inc.
Quoting from
"The NMRC is a project of Issue Dynamics, Inc. (IDI), a consumer and public affairs consulting firm that specializes in developing win-win solutions to complex policy issues."
http://www.idi.net/
The goal of NMRC is to undermine critiques of media consolidation so those who have benefited from it can go right on consolidating the media so that it marches in lockstep with Republican Party marching orders.
Just like in the Land of Oz, never mind that man behind the curtain! |
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Re: Creating Alternative Media: Examples from Urbana-Champaign |
by 2 cents
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
11 May 2005
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Dose -- instead of damning to hell those associated with the article, why not take it on from the standpoint of the issue?
It's just too easy to dismiss an idea by saying the people who propound it are evil. |
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Re: Creating Alternative Media: Examples from Urbana-Champaign |
by 2 cents
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
11 May 2005
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But then, it couldn't hurt to take a look at some of the people in leadership positions with IDI:
Samuel A. Simon is a nationally recognized authority on consumer and public affairs, with twenty-six years experience at the highest levels of his profession. Mr. Simon pioneered the practice of bridging gaps between industry and non-traditional consumer groups on public policy, marketing and consumer affairs issues to achieve win-win solutions for clients. Most recently, he has adapted the Internet for use in public relations and public affairs, receiving national recognition for innovation in the media relations and grassroots mobilization arenas. Mr. Simon has also served as public relations and public affairs counsel to a variety of Fortune 500 companies.
Until 1986, Mr. Simon served as president of the Telecommunications Research and Action Center, the nations oldest and largest consumer group concerned exclusively with telecommunications issues. He is a lawyer, graduating with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 1970. He entered the public interest movement immediately following law school, working as one of the first lawyers for Ralph Nader.
Mr. Simon is a recognized authority in the field of consumer affairs and public affairs. He is a published author and commentator on consumer and public affairs issues. Mr. Simon has written three books and numerous articles. He has testified before Congress on many occasions and has appeared on national media, including such programs as Today, Face the Nation, This Week with David Brinkley, Nightline, Good Morning America, Prime Time Live, the Oprah Winfrey Show and CNN.
In addition to his position as president of Issue Dynamics, Inc., Mr. Simon has maintained a major presence in the national consumer movement:
Chairman, Board of Directors, National Consumers League
Secretary and Board Member, World Institute on Disability
Commissioner, Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission
Chairman of the Board, Telecommunications Research and Action Center
Recipient, Susan B. Hadden Pioneer Award, Alliance for Public Technology (1999)
Ken Deutsch serves as Executive Vice President at Issue Dynamics Inc. (IDI). In this role Mr. Deutsch leads the development of online campaign strategies for public relations and public affairs. As an early innovator of the use of the Internet as a public affairs tool, Deutsch oversaw the development of: the first corporate public affairs Internet site (1993 - Bell Atlantic - www.ba.com); the first major political party committee and candidate Internet sites (1994 - Democratic Senate Campaign Committee - www.dscc.org); the first independent Congressional site (1994 - policy.net/congress.org); and the first Internet to phone gateway to Congress (1998 - Washington Call Manager).
Mr. Deutsch has served as a public affairs/relations Internet consultant for a wide variety of clients including: BellSouth; GunFreeKids.org; the NAACP; Verizon; THE MARCH: Coming Together to Conquer Cancer; the National Association of the Deaf; the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; the National Environmental Trust, BlueCross BlueShield Association, and many others.
Prior to joining IDI in 1993, Mr. Deutsch served as Field Director for Public Citizen. Mr. Deutsch worked as Organizing Director for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) for six years. In his position at NYPIRG he served as field director for the New York City Charter ballot initiative in 1988, election day coordinator for the 1990 New York State Environmental Bond Act, and coordinator for all the "Earth Day New York City 1990" field activities.
As Senior Vice President, Ms. Rosenthal advises clients on constituent relationships, identifies and fosters opportunities for strategic public/private partnerships, and develops and implements grassroots, educational outreach programs for community leaders. Much of her work focuses on consumer benefits of information technologies and services.
Through IDI's management contract, Ms. Rosenthal also serves as Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Technology (APT); a nonprofit coalition devoted to democratizing technology. In this capacity, she has successfully collaborated with a diverse range of nonprofit leaders in several major population centers across the country to design and develop educational programs and resource materials.
Prior to joining IDI, Ms. Rosenthal developed a reputation as an expert in telecommunication and consumer education as Executive Director of the Tele-Consumer Hotline. At the Hotline, she monitored industry trends and consumer concerns, while administering the 800 number counseling service. She also worked closely with the disability community to implement the Hotline's program for information on assistive technologies and services for people with disabilities. Through her work at the Hotline and the Alliance for Public Technology, Ms. Rosenthal has developed an expertise on accessible technologies and services and universal design principles.
Ms. Rosenthal serves on the Board of Directors and is immediate past president of the DC Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals.
She earned her B.A. and M.A. in history. In her graduate work, she devoted a major portion of her research and study to special interest influence on the American political system.
Dirck A. Hargraves, Esq. comes to IDI with an extensive legislative and regulatory background. He most recently served as Legislative Counsel to Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston, TX) where he supported the Congresswoman on matters before the Judiciary Committee and the Full House, including the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999, and the African Growth Opportunity Act of 1999.
Prior to serving as legislative counsel, Mr. Hargraves practiced commercial litigation for the nation's third largest multicultural law firm, ALEXANDER, BEARDEN, HAIRSTON AND MARKS, LLP. He also was a Staff Attorney with the FDIC's Regulations and Legislation Section and an International Trade Law Clerk for the D.C. office of the Chicago-based law firm, GARDNER, CARLTON AND DOUGLAS, LLP.
Mr. Hargraves is actively involved in state and local activities, serving as a member of numerous community organizations, boards and commissions. He most recently served as the President of the Alexandria, Virginia Branch of the NAACP.
Mr. Hargraves is a graduate of the Washington College of Law of The American University and the University of Pennsylvania. During his undergraduate studies he attended the Universite de Technologie de Compiegne in France.
WELL . . . these folks don't quite fit the image of far-right conspirators at war with the public weal. |
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Sure, Jack, Sure |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
11 May 2005
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So Jack, can you pronounce "corporate shill"?
Your message that we should just be the loyal, and ineffective, opposition is of no interest here. I don't even know why you waste your time, other than the fact that your preferred agenda just eliminates your next fake indentity too soon.
Your two cents is overpriced for the advice offered. You might as well kiss this one goodbye now, too. |
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Re: Creating Alternative Media: Examples from Urbana-Champaign |
by 2 cents
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
11 May 2005
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Ya know, trying to confront the "Jack" accusation is like being on trial for witchcraft in the 14th century. To deny it is to confess. The only way out is to confess and die.
That aside, what is it about the following organizations, with whom executives if IDI are associated, that sounds anti-progressive:
National Consumers League
World Institute on Disability
Fairfax County Consumers Protection Commision
GunFree Kids
National Environmental Trust
Alliance for Public Technology
NAACP
Media consolidation is a reality, but not necessarily the threat some propose. Today, there are more -- and more diverse -- sources of news and information than ever before. The networks have market share, but so what? Virtually anyone can avail themselves of all available outlets. If one doesn't own a computer, they are available at the public library, along with newspapers, journals, magazines, etc.
Why is that you are able to stay well-informed, but the rest of the world is not? Are you smarter than them? Are you one of the small minority who is discerning enough to see through the maze of corporate dissimulation, whereas the hoi polloi are ignorant fools who take their pap as it is spoon-fed to them?
It's condescending, and patronizing, and paternalistic.
What about the issues, dude? |
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