The best thing for us to do...

[Melodybe]

I just had a great idea!!! Feb. 1, 2006 the 10th anniversaryof the Telecommunications Act of 1996. That is when we should organize to hold Millions Against the Media protests in NY, DC, Atlanta, and San Francisco.

So since I could actually go to the one in Atlanta, are their any DUers in Georgia that could help me plan this one?

New Yorkers, DCers, and those in Frisco, I can't help but you get the idea.

What do you think? It's befor the 2006 elections and if their is really millions at each march Jon Stewart will surely give us props. We can get this to happen if the folks at AAR, DU, Daily kos, Salon, etc help promote it.

What do you think? I think that it is a great way to highlight when our problems with the media really began.

[Melodybe]

1. Please someone, give me a break we have to something!!!

You can't ignore millions of people anywhere. The mainstream media may not have given us much coverage of this years anti-war protests, but locally there was lots of coverage. Internationally we got coverage too.

I am not giving up on this, DUers we must do this!

[Melodybe]

2. kick until this gets attention!

[dissent1977]

13. I agree, the problem is organizing it

We have not focused our attentions on the corporate media nearly enough. We certainly could get a massive protest organized by Feb. 2006 if we had the resources, but to organize a march with a massive turnout like you are talking about we need lots of help. We need to find literally hundreds of groups around the country to cosponsor this thing if we are going to get anywhere close to a million people to turn out, much less "millions". A million people in New York is a goal that I think could be accomplished, but only if we can get some big name people involved. DU alone does not have anywhere near the capicity to organize something like this on our own.

On edit: as a sidenote it would probably be more effective to organize just one massive protest in New York as opposed to several smaller protests. Although people in other cities who were not able to attend could certainly organize smaller protests in their hometowns, by focusing our attention on one city in particular we can attract larger crowds to that one, as the media is going to try to avoid this story like the plague we need to make sure we can get at least one protest so big they can not ignore it.

[HomerRamone]

19. And twenty seconds of coverage on the nightly news

will bring the media-opolies that own those newscasts to their knees...

[ArkDem]

3. Do I hear crickets in here?

[blm]

6. I fear most don't get the urgency.

But, as much as I prefer commemorative dates for protest, I think we would be most effective in better weather. February can be a real bitch.

Sept. 17 is Citizenship day and the birthday of the Constitution. The worst you could get would be rain. I also think if you want change you should want it SOONER rather than later.

[Rainbowreflect]

4. I like the idea.

I think taking back the media is the first step to taking back our country.

[Melodybe]

5. I think that it is a good idea, I just wish DUers gave a damn about

media reform.

They never pay attention to these posts, but call Chris Matthews or Bob Kovak a shithead traitor and their are endless posts.

[paineinthearse]

7. indymedia

I'm with you. Let's write a press release and post it to our local indymedia sites.

[derby378]

8. It's a great idea

Only thing is that five people own most of the mainstream media in America. And they're not interested in sharing power.

Air America Radio is a step in the right direction, but what we really need to do now is get progressive folks with cash to burn to take over media outlets that are hurting financially. Unfortunately, it takes money to effect change in media.

[paineinthearse]

9. Read this fantastic interview with DU's own media queen

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3740182

[BamaBecky]

10. Good idea! This probably our greatest pressing problem! n/t

[MisterP]

11. I like the name!

[Wilms]

12. kick n/t

[snot]

14. Media reform & election reform both crucial

And I noted virtually no discussion on this site about the ongoing top-down attack on the BBC (3,800 jobs to be cut plus privatization of parts of the corp.--simultaneous with top-down attack on NPR, oddly enough). We need an outcry as soon as possible.

[proud patriot]

15. Plenty of time to organize

:thumbsup:

[Melodybe]

20. That's what I was thinking.

Summer is quickly approaching, anything huge is probably not going to be ready by the end of the summer. But Feburary sounds perfect, before the elections, let the media know that we expect them to try and help Bushco steal congress again.

This could be fun, it could be huge.

[Maraya1969]

16. KICK

[oxbow]

17. I'll be there in DC

can't be the main organizer but I'll be there.

[benevolent dictator]

18. kick

[Octafish]

21. Count me in.

The nation's Founders considered a free press to be paramount for a free nation that they embedded it in the Constitution -- the only business so named in the entire document. The First Amendment reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Gee. It can't get be any more plain. For the United States of America to continue as a democratic republic requires an informed electorate. Without a free press, a free nation cannot survive.

Washington in February, 2006? Yeah. I'll be there. My country needs me.

[Melodybe]

22. Now we need to get in touch with those that can make it huge

AAR, Arianna Huffington, John Conyers, dailykos, media matters, here.

Anyone from Georgia, I'm still waiting to hear from you, please PM me.

I guess, I go over to the state forums and post there.

This could kick ass ya'll, let's do it.

[Pharlo]

23. I've posted a 'gauging interest' post in the

Wisconsin forum for the Milwaukee area. I think there should be plenty of support there.

I would also suggest getting someone from the Illinois forum interested in organizing there - particularly the Chicago area. Illinois has a very active political base. (Prior to the election, many of my co- volunteers for door - to - dooring in SE Wisconsin were from Illinois.)

In fact, I think you should try to get an organizer for every state.

If we can't get interest from the top down, we need to generate it from the bottom up.

However, before we do to much, we need a definite date. And, as a previous poster has already mentioned, February in the northern states will very likely get a low turn out due to weather.

[Pharlo]

24. In fact, have you given any consideration to accompanying this

with a 'virtual' protest done on-line.

Coordinate the two. That would give you months to generate awareness and interest electronically, and culminating in a nationwide protest - I'd set it up for a weekend - greater attendance.