Our Second Priority:  Media Reform

  by Trish Nelson

 

If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, is there sound?

 

If 300,000 war protesters march on Washington and no one sees it on TV, is there an anti-war movement? 

 

As I begin my first blog post today as incoming editor of Blog for Iowa, I would like to quote my friend and mentor Nicholas Johnson, former FCC Commissioner and media reform activist, who says it best in his book, Your Second Priority:a Former FCC Commissioner Speaks Out (Myrtle Orchard Press and Lulu.com).   

 

“Whatever is your first priority, whether it is women’s rights or saving wildlife, your second priority has to be media reform.  With it you at least have a chance of accomplishing your first priority.  Without it, you don’t have a prayer.†

 

Progressive activists who read this blog have been working tirelessly to bring needed change – to Iowa, to your communities, to the nation and to the world.  You are working on health care, the environment, issues of peace and justice and you are helping progressive candidates get elected.  

 

Unfortunately, progress is a painstakingly slow process, due at least in part to the corporate-owned  media which controls everything that is seen and heard on the airwaves.  Have you ever thought how much easier it would be to make progress if there was equality and diversity of access to the media?  Without access to the mass media, progressives face big obstacles when it comes to getting the message delivered. 


And just imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have to overcome the roadblock of a substantial number of misinformed individuals, including elected officials and persons in leadership positions, who routinely listen to FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, and Iowa’s own WHO-Radio, which airs conservative talk programming 8 ½ hours a day, 5 days a week. 

 

Fortunately, there may be good news on the horizon for progressives and media reform activists.  The FCC is about to say good-bye to Chairman Kevin Martin and new commissioners will soon be appointed.  The incoming Obama administration has shown every sign of being media reform friendly.   Localism is making a comeback.  Community radio and low power FM stations are cropping up in Iowa and across the country.   The free and open internet is the new great equalizer (but it is in danger, so we must continue the fight for net neutrality and high speed internet access to rural areas).  Organizations such as Iowa Independent are providing outstanding online original reporting, and Dailykos  and Moveon have  informed and organized a nation of progressives.

 

Howard Dean said in 2004 that we must “take back the corporate-owned media and infuse it with the voice of the people.† At Blog for Iowa, we intend to launch actions related to media issues, continue covering Iowa news and events, and invite the BFIA community to submit ideas and action alerts specific to your home towns, counties and districts.    

 

Whether your first priority issue is taking on a local coal plant or a hog confinement operation, targeting an elected official that needs to be ousted, planning a peace march or a letter-writing effort to a local newspaper, TV or Radio station, Blog for Iowa wants to know about it.

 

Watch this space for more information about local and statewide actions related to the issues of the day.  Blog for Iowa welcomes your input and suggestions and will happily post your events and action alerts.  Helping progressives in Iowa organize for change is our first priority.