Help me out here re: media's lies and hate speech, please

[OneGrassRoot]

So, we know Fox, Limbaugh and others engage in hate speech, as well as flat-out lies.

We know corporate media supports this divisive programming as it takes the focus away from what is really going on behind the scenes as far as corporate control of government and other systems in this country. It keeps the masses distracted.

In trying to determine the best way to battle the lies and hate speech, which seems to have grown exponentially since the Summer of the Palin Mobs, and the toxic effect it has had on our country, I'm not clear about the best path.

Sure, one of the goals is to get away from corporate-owned media. BTW, www.commoncause.org looks like a great organization which is dealing with many issues, including Media and Democracy.

Others have petitions to get Beck and Limbaugh fired, for example.

Others petition the corporations to stop advertising on shows which promote hate speech and lies.

But, without some of the rules fundamentally changing, even if Beck and Limbaugh were to go, someone else would fill their shoes.

Al Sharpton suggests pressuring the FCC to start identifying and regulating hate speech by not renewing licenses.

Even more than the hate speech, I feel the ability to blatantly lie on air is the most harmful issue. I know Fox and other media get away with it by saying the shows are just entertainment, and the talking heads are pundits merely expressing their opinion and are not journalists.

But it seems to me there should still be some significant consequence for spewing lies -- knowingly and repeatedly spewing lies, no matter the nature of the show or the label of the host.

Should the focus be on pressuring the FCC, advertisers or both?

It's easy to say we need media reform as one of the key systemic changes to take back our democracy and work toward reclaiming a free press, but when it gets down to brass tacks of the best way to DO that, it gets more foggy, imho.

If we were to start a movement/petition which sought to remove not only hate speech but LIES from for-profit (that's key) programming, to whom do you feel the petition should be aimed and with what specific goal?

Thanks. :hi:

[Dr Morbius]

1. Okay, a few things.

First, "hate speech" is speech and must not be restricted. Hopefully, people will usually reject it.

Second, we need a "seal of approval" kinda thing for our media, a watchdog group (independent of government) which fact-checks the media. We have organizations which do this but they have no teeth. We need a movement of people who promise not to watch "news" programming which doesn't have that seal.

You see, freedom to speak does indeed mean freedom to lie. It's just that the liars need to be held accountable. Maybe we need stronger libel laws; I don't really know for sure. I am sure of this, though: the way to go is NOT to restrain, but to increase accountability.

Our biggest problem with the media is the consolidation thereof; media reform to me means limiting ownership, and protecting independent media. It seems to me ludicrous to claim we have a free press when over 90% of it is owned by half a dozen corporations. One is simply not free if one has to answer to a "higher-up." Freedom of the press has been infringed not by government but by the wealthy; if we lose our freedoms, does it really matter to us who took them away?

[OneGrassRoot]

2. We haven't had a free press since the mid to late 90's, imho

Okay, I hear you about the hate speech thing. ;)

Absolutely, accountability is what is needed, whether it's on independent media, publicly-funded media or the mammoth corporate-owned M$M.

And protecting independent media while working to decrease the choke-hold of corporate conglomerates on our news.

Media Matters is awesome but we need a nonpartisan group, with teeth as you say, to really make headway.

A media seal of approval...hmmmm....I'll start looking in that direction to see if anything currently exists that we could put our efforts behind. Hopefully others will chime in with specific movements already in place.

Thanks. :)

[LiberalEsto]

3. We need more competition

Media monopolies need to be broken up through our anti-trust laws, the way Ma Bell was broken up many years ago.

But they won't be.

[mstinamotorcity]

4. It would take unity!!!!

And holding broadcast journalist responsible. Sending e-mails to different ones on targeted days.It would also take one of the hardest things America has a hard time wrapping their arms around. Non-purchasing of products who sponsor these programs. The only thing anyone seems to care about these days. You must hit them in the pocket book. If you want a business finished and bankrupt you do like they did take your money somewhere else. Think of it as contributing to your own little personal Cayman Islands. It can be done!!! Just need enough people to be fed up with being fed up and are willing to take ACTION!!!!

[rucky]

5. The root of the problem is the consolodated ownership of the media.

And the most effective way to address it is to amend Clinton's Telecommunications Act and break up these monopolies.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. That's what I'm thinking....

That's the direction I was going. I need to see if there are any groups working toward that, even though we fully realize it's a Herculean task.

Also, a simple thing I'd like to see happen is for various shows to be CLEARLY labeled as opinion shows, NOT news. Many of these personalities only claim, "Hey, I'm just an entertainer" when something harmful has happened as a result of their words; otherwise, they present themselves as journalists and as though they are relaying facts.

There needs to be a clear differentiation between news and opinion as one step. Many people over 50 still think that if something is in print (even email!), on TV or radio that it must be true. They're used to the truth in advertising laws from days of old and think they apply, but they don't.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Just found this organization: Free Press

http://www.freepress.net/about_us

Our Purpose

Media play a huge role in our lives. TV, radio, the Internet, movies, books and newspapers inform and influence our ideas, opinions, values and beliefs. They shape our understanding of the world and give us the information we need to hold our leaders accountable. But our media system is failing.

This failure isn't natural. For far too long, corrupt media policy has been made behind closed doors in the public's name but without our informed consent. If we want better media, we need better media policies. If we want better policies, we must engage more people in policy debates and demand better media.

That's why Free Press was created. We're working to make media reform a bona fide political issue in America. Powerful telecommunications, cable and broadcasting companies have plenty of lobbyists to do their bidding. We're making sure the public has a seat at the table, and we're building a movement to make sure the media serve the public interest.

Free Press believes that media reform is crucial not just for creating better news and entertainment, but to advancing every issue you care about. A vibrant, diverse and independent media is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

:thumbsup: