What’s Your Vision for Journalism’s Future? Take the Poll
We’ve already shared with you our vision for journalism’s future. This weekend
Dan Rather shared his. But what’s yours?
Today, we launched a poll designed to give you a chance to share your vision for the future of the news, and to let us know how changes in journalism are affecting your community. We want your help in shaping this campaign, and we need you to reshape public policy in Washington, D.C.
Here at SaveTheNews.org, we are leading the search for new policies to support quality journalism and ensure that communities get the news they need. For too long, citizens have been left out -- and lobbyists let in -- when it comes to making decisions about our media,
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
We are at a critical juncture: With the changes facing our media comes a unique opportunity to re-imagine the structures and policies needed for critical journalism to thrive.
We can’t leave it to the government alone to fix our media system, nor to the pundits, publishers and lobbyists.
Now is the time to make your voice heard. Take our poll and share your vision today.
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Free Press does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media and universal access to communications.
Comments:
End the Big Broadcast Swindle
The FCC is reviewing its media ownership rules and needs to hear from you. Tell the FCC we need rules that serve the public, not big broadcasters.
Change the Channels
Check out the interactive map to see consolidating newsrooms near you.
List of Fronts...
There are several options/fronts to be addressed when it comes to the news:
1. Local news from small community based papers, radio-stations, and TV Channels, as well as Blogs and News-Sites. These ought to be encouraged, funded, and kept safe from the influence of Big-Media and money-driven advertising giants who pay the bucks but put so many strings that the information is so politically biased it is of no value.
2. The news giants including print (NY Times, Washington Post, Wall-Street Journal etc.) and Cable News (CNN, MSNBC, FOX-News etc.) in addition to the burgeoning Internet News (which is a mixed bag of Cable News and Print using their popularity and deep-pockets to push through the new media, and other less know but worthy news-sites.)
3. Public, Not-for-profit, publicly supported, PBS-like news agencies which are mostly 'frail' and unable - really - to meet their full potential. This is the last rampart of our Democracy and it is not standing strong.
Each one of these ought to be considered seriously for some comprehensive overhauls both through legislation and through public image.
Why are you using ONLY F and
Why are you using ONLY F and T? There are some of us who do not use it for a number of reasons.
News Companies
Most news agencies have become nothing but a mouthpiece for the President, as well as the government. They no longer actually report the news but just repeat whatever the government tells them to, and instead of investigating they just announce governmental pre-screened statements.The Presidential spokesperson should stop the practice of pre-screening the questions to be asked by the press, and allow un-screened questions of the President to be asked and expect a specific answer. If the president is well informed on the issues he is advocating he should give a concise specific answer, if not then he should be better informed. Also news companies rely on their readers subscription for continued business, if the readership or subscription of a newspaper drops to unsustainable levels then is should be allowed to fail just as any business that fails to provide a good product or service should be allowed to fail and allow a new service to take over. News companies are a business and like all businesses if they can't get enough customer support should be allowed to fail and should not be bailed out at the public's expense. This policy of bailing out businesses that make bad business decisions should have never started and should end immediately, this includes banks automakers,insurance industries, any business should be allow to fail for making bad business decisions or not providing good customer service.
NEWS
The last few years have seen an alarming reduction in newsprint. Some of the demise is certainly due to changing habits that allow for people to get their news from different media options. This however only underscores the need for independent journalism. I would appreciate a news service whether it be digital or newsprint that is publicly owned and responsible to the citizens of this country much as public radio and TV is. We can no longer have a reasonable conversation about the aspects of life that should be the most critical. Health care for one. The media is being bombarded by adds stating eroneous facts that lead people to believe that senior citizens will loose medi care if we have a health care option. I find it ironic that if surveyed the majority of people would put insurance companies right up there with lawyers who chase ambulences. We proclaim to live in a democracy which has become an illusion used to sway sentiment while avoiding the real issues. We no longer focus on priorities but on self serving interests. "I got mine, so you go get yours." Millions without health care and we no longer have the public voice to inform people of the shell game the media is playing.
I totally agree with
I totally agree with Anonymous above. If it means that we must rely on publicly sponsored newspapers to get fair and impartial news stories then let it be so. Let this be a true democracy based on honest debate and thoughtful discussion.