Legendary journalist Bill Moyers addressed a crowd of 3,500 at the National Conference for Media Reform in St Paul, MN on June 7, 2008. Some highlights of his 40 minute speech include: "Democracy without honest information creates the illusion of popular consent while enhancing the power of the state and the privileged interests protected by it." "Democracy without accountability creates the illusion of popular control while offering ordinary Americans cheap tickets to the balcony, too far away to see that the public stage is just a reality TV set." "...the Administration is pressing to give the conglomerates more control � from newspapers and broadcast television, to satellite radio, to awarding some of the most valuable remaining swaths of our public airwaves to two of the largest telecommunications companies, to mergers and acquisitions by the biggest digital media giants." "Without a truly free and independent press, this 250-year-old experiment in self-government will not make it." "It�s up to you to tell the truth about what�s happening to this country we love. It�s up to you to tell the truth about the struggle of ordinary people. It�s up to you to remind us that democracy only works when citizens claim it as their own. It�s up to you to write the story of America that leaves no one out." LINK TO FULL TEXT OF MOYERS' SPEECH: http://www.freepress.net/node/41601
Copyright 2008 Bottom Line Communications. Please give credit or link to www.bottomlinecom.com when using any materials. Send any media tips to [email protected] (specify if you want to remain anonymous).
