Resolved: Big Media Supports Bush- Question: What Can We Do?

[JSJ]

If I had a nickel for each time an otherwise sober member celebrates the alleged 'fair and balanced' coverage of Kerry/Edwards by a corporate copyreader, why I'd have enough nickels to become a full-fledged member of DU with all posting, polling and search privaleges in tact. The latest 'semi-hero' to recieve such kudos is that fat-head 'professional wrestler', Chris Matthews, who had the good sense to throw one our way when taking apart Michele Malkin on his program, Hardball. But, straight-away, Matthews went back to being the sworn devotee of the Bush/Cheney ticket and master quibbler when it comes to the Kerry/Edwards record. You didn't really think a loyal employee of GE, builder of weapon systems and nuclear missile guidance systems, would make being fair and balanced a continuing part of his political schtick, now did you? And, if there was another example I could cite, pointing to at least one other copyreader/commentator working in the big leagues who showed the least bit interest in having a 'fair and balanced' critique of the political season, I'd cite it, but I can't because there isn't another one.

That's the 'resolved' part of it- now for the 'question'. What can we do? Well, I've broken us down into three groups based on ability to pay.
1) Rich kids- no, don't blow your principles; instead take whatever interest you've earned on investments over the last five years and start purchasing ads on your local tv stations. 30 or 60 seconds are about all any one individual or small group can afford. But, make them simple and to the point. I like; Vote for Kerry/Edwards---thank-you.
2) Not so rich kids- get with the rich kids and pool your money with theirs and make some local tv ads.
3) Non rich kids- Contact the above groups and pool your money for local tv ads.

I don't know from 527s, so there may be some resistance to buying tv ads without setting up as a non-profit, nonaffliated political group. But, I know this should be doable. I'm guessing about 5,000 dollars for a thirty second spot and more for higher increments of time and any rate will be based on the particular market you're buying in.

Kerry won't win unless he asks as many voters as possible for their votes and tv is the only way to go if that's the case. And that is the case. Be the media!

[still_one]

1. Grassroots!!!

we will go to the local communities, and take the cause to the people directly

Soon even the media will not be able to ignore us!!!

[JSJ]

2. Yes!

[mitchtv]

3. how about Poster-ing

Re highway blogger? bulletin boards , utility poles. Good, imaginative, mean spirited posters are fun. You want to spend money get a billboard .

[JSJ]

4. i like it- going for saturation is the goal

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. A MASSIVE GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN is what....

we are working on right now. ACT has $50 Million in swing states to get our Democratic Voters.

:kick:

When we get back into power, the 6 Media Monopolies will feel our rath!

[lebkuchen]

6. We're doing that right now, from overseas

Getting letters into stateside/military newspapers/, mass mailing AP articles of US deaths in Iraq, asking local papers to publish the stats on a daily updated basis, registering overseas voters...

grassroots is the only tool left

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Old-fashioned campaigning by pamphleting the sidewalks.

This is how smaller political groups like unions got their message out at the turn-of-the-century.

Also get permits and make speeches in public parks, etc.

Go to public meetings of local government and make resolutions that get on record and make the local news.

[AnnInLa]

8. AAR and Liberal Talk Radio, TV

Grass roots movement is a great idea, because all the major news outlets are owned by big corporations. And who do big corps support---the repugs. ABC, NBC, CBS, faux, MSNBC and CNN all compete with other for viewers, and the more viewers they have, the more they can charge for advertising. Therefore, their news just becomes news-bites with no in-depth, investigative journalism. Joe SixPack does not want in depth reporting, they want news bites. They respond to "personalities" like Tweety and Wolf more than to serious journalists. They are the Reader's Digest and The Enquirer of journalism. It seems to me that some of the other things we can do are: 1. watch our evening news on PBS, the Jim Lehrer hour, and talk it up, 2. also talk up Olberman and send many emails to him (MSNBC counts these things), 3. watch CSpan and talk it up, phone in, 4. talk up the Franken show on the Sundance channel, email them, support its sponsors 5. actively lobby your local radio talk stations for more liberal talk shows, 6. support AAR --- I have written to many TV and radio stations and newspapers asking for stories on the AAR phenomenon.

As long as the repugs in general have more $$$ than we do, and own most of America, we will have to get our news from alternate sources that we really need to support with our $$ and our voices.

[Libby2]

9. I sometimes think our strategy is wrong

We are viewing them, even if we hate and disagree with them.

I sometimes think we should stop the email campaigns, stop the calls, stop everything that let's them know we are watching them.

I know, I know, it's not possible, but a girl can dream.