The Ongoing Contest Media Reform and Democracy the Top 25 Censored Stories, Censored 2007, Essay Example

The real news speaks the truth and informs balances and awakens society. Real news further keeps the working class of America tuned in to what is going on by informing them and keeping them active in society events. Project Censored has been reporting real news for thirty years that in contrast of what corporate media refuses to cover. “Project Censored does not report liberal-sanitized Democratic or white-washed money incrusted Republican news nor does it report Public Relation based corporate news.” (Phillips, 2006). It reports only the facts. With this in mind, people of society are reminded of our power to influence change. Real news shapes policy for equality and can only be measure through its success of building democracy and stimulating activism. The project underlines the purpose of free speech in our nation. Project Censored is managed through the Department of Sociology at the University of Sonoma State.

Media reform can be seen through informative writings by educators and proactive speeches by community members. Independent media producers also advocate to present reform issues to the public. There is much to be gained through these secondary sources of media.

In order for a democracy to work, there must be months or even years of adequate time for research and discussion long before critical decisions are made in Congress. In June 2006 the issue of Internet neutrality finally was discussed by corporate media. The media for years had disregarded the multimillions of dollars vested in lobbying interests vested in the telecom interests that will gain from the negation of Internet neutrality. This project hopes to open the eyes of American citizens to go away from corporate news and invest their time in independent sources of information to feed their democratic senses and build a better community.

In the United States freedom of press is a core civil right that is preserved without censorship. In contrast, in the United Kingdom, privacy rights are protected more than the right of freedom of press. See: Campbell v MGM where it was distinguished that it was an infringement of Naomi Campbell’s right to privacy when the media photographed her coming out of an anonymous narcotics meeting. . As Robert  McChesney, founder of Free press (freepress.net), and others argue, “Without a viable press system, our ability to create a just, humane, and viable society is sharply limited, if not made impossible.”

Broadly speaking, the media reform movement addresses the related issues of media ownership, independent media, and democratic governance. The May 2005 National Conference for Media Reform in St. Louis served as a galvanizing occasion for many in the media reform movement. There have indeed been advantageous gains that came from the media reform. As such they are Municipalities’ struggles for free or low –cost wireless internet access (Wi-Fi),Independent newsweeklies’ opposition to their increasing consolidation,       Spanish-language journalists’ use of print and radio news to mobilize activism and Progressive television programming to inform and engage the public regarding civil     liberties and the environment.

Currently fourteen states have laws either restricting or banning municipalities from operating their own high-speed networks. In 2005 Wi-Fi restrictions passed in five states, while eight such bills were defeated with the help of media democracy activists. McChesney is confident about beating opponents of municipal Wi-Fi in the state legislature. Currently pending in Congressional committees is competing legislation that would either protect municipalities or prevent them from providing such services. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Community Broadband Act of 2005 “To preserve and protect the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services.” Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX)- a former SBC executive-introduced the Preserving Innovation in Telecom Act of 2005 “to prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications.

Conclusion

Access to quality media is crucial to democratic-self –government. When “access” is understood to mean not only the right to consume but also the opportunity to produce media, all members of society become empowered and we take a step closer to McChesney’s vision of a just, humane, and truly viable society.

References

National Cable Telecommunications v Brand X Internet Services

COPE Act

Campbell v MGM

National Conference for Media Reform