NCMR in the News

Lawmakers are urging the FCC to investigate the Pentagon’s propaganda program to determine if the major TV networks or the Pentagon-backed analysts violated federal law. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! speaks to FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and Free Press' Robert W. McChesney.

There's enough room at the National Conference on Media Reform for the 3,500 attendees to each convene her or his own breakout session. And you can watch at home.

Here are some highlights of the first day of the conference.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps wants better stronger oversight of broadcasters to ensure they air programming for the public interest and a clear, enforceable Net Neutrality principle for the Internet.

That is title of a panel I am speaking on at the National Conference for Media Reform. Any casual reader of this blog or my column can guess as to how I would answer that question.

"As journalism goes, so goes democracy," renowned PBS host Bill Moyers told the crowd at the National Conference for Media Reform. And right now, journalism is in trouble.

At the National Conference for Media Reform, many of the wonderful speakers are not there learning and growing with us in the smaller breakout sessions.

Writers and bloggers are blurring the already thin line between advocacy and journalism. And the progressive media must be vigilant in its role as a watchdog of people in power, regardless of party affiliation.

Today, more than 3,000 people from across the country are gathered in Minneapolis for the National Conference for Media Reform -- an extraordinary event showcasing the growing movement to create more accountable, democratic and diverse media.

Free Press executive director Josh Silver, the Ruckus Society's Adrienne Maree Brown, Stanford Law's Lawrence Lessig and Free Press founder Robert W. McChesney deliver a rousing call to action at the 2008 National Conference for Media Reform.

Without question there is more political coverage in the media today than ever before—but is that coverage of any meaningful substance, or is it essentially a gallery of talking heads shouting back and forth across the airwaves? That was the question addressed at a panel at the 2008 National Conference for Media Reform.

Nearly 3,000 people have come from across the nation for what’s become known as the most important gathering of the growing movement for media reform. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! sits down with Free Press' Robert W. McChesney and Josh Silver.

Net Neutrality is not a problem in a vacuum, Columbia Law professor Tim Wu said at the fourth National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis.

This year’s National Conference for Media Reform reflects the growing media reform movement, and the opportunities and challenges before us as we continue the fight for a strong and independent media.

The Internet has opened up so many possibilities for communication that the most important concern about the media isn’t broadcast television ownership, but about threats from cable and Bell companies, said Free Press Executive Director Josh Silver.

The Twin Cities area is home to some of the country's most exciting alternative media projects. Representatives from several local alternative and non-profit media organizations spoke at an NCMR panel called "Minnesota Model: Countering Corporate Media."