The Liberal Media Strikes Again

[WilliamPitt]

Protesters fill the rotunda at the State Capitol Building, in Madison, Wisconsin, on February 27, 2011. (Photo: Nicole Bengiveno / The New York Times)

The Liberal Media Strikes Again
By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed

Tuesday 01 March 2011

If I hear one more person talk about the "liberal media" in America, I will probably vomit on them. It was a stupid and ridiculous thing to say last week - take a long look at which mega-corporations own which news networks, and you won't find a "liberal" entity anywhere on the list - but the events in Wisconsin have further underscored the absurdity of the statement.

It started in Madison when Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker tried to erase the long and excellent legacy of collective bargaining in his state, and thousands of union and public-sector workers rose up righteous to stop him. Fourteen Democrats from the state senate lit out to destinations unknown in order to deny Walker and his congressional GOP allies a quorum. Tens upon tens of thousands of people poured into the capitol to shout down Walker's ham-fisted power play, braving freezing winds and snowstorms to do so. Each day, the protests grew; one evening, firefighters marched to the capitol to the peal of bagpipes in a show of support. This past Saturday, supporters of the Wisconsin protest staged rallies in all fifty states to stand with workers in Madison.

On Sunday, Governor Walker ordered the Wisconsin capitol building to be cleared of protesters and locked down. As the deadline for clearing the building drew near, live-feed broadcasts from inside the building were cut off. Police poured into the building...and refused to clear the protesters in the name of union solidarity. The deadline came and went, and finally the word came down: the protesters could stay. The building erupted in thunderous cheers, and the action to stop Walker's power play continued for another day...until Walker abruptly locked down the capitol building on Monday:

About 60 demonstrators who had slept in the statehouse overnight remained inside as of noon Monday, and they banged drums, sang and danced in the rotunda. They had access to restrooms and, given the dwindling size of the group, appeared to have a decent supply of food. There was no indication that the police were preparing to arrest or eject them, and several said in interviews that they had no intention of leaving.

The events that have been unfolding in Wisconsin, culminating in this past weekend's national displays of support and capitol showdown, stand tall among the most remarkable popular uprisings in modern American history. Millions around the country have been energized, especially in states where similar anti-union legislation is pending. In Wisconsin, the people continue to peacefully own the streets, and without a quorum in the senate, Walker can only bluster and bluff.

Big story, right? Huge, in fact. No comparable event has taken place in America for decades, and the outcome of this showdown is likely to determine the fate of worker's rights all across the country. Unions are working hand in hand with public employees, liberals, progressives and regular folks to fight an egregious wrong, and thanks to social media, bloggers, citizen journalists and organizations like Truthout, the movement is catching fire from sea to shining sea.

So, of course, the so-called liberal "news" media has taken a complete pass on covering these events. The sun came up on Monday morning to find every TV "news" network, as well as every newspaper outside of Madison, covering the Oscars wall to wall with nary a mention of the political action taking place in Wisconsin. The Russian media is covering the story with more alacrity than their American counterparts. Were it not for the alternative/online news media, the protests in Wisconsin would be taking place in a virtual information blackout.

Take a moment, please, and cast your mind back a year or so.

Remember the first stirrings of what came to be termed as the "Tea Party" uprising? Never mind that it was created by powerful conservative corporate entities like the Koch Brothers. Never mind that the "Tea Party" was nothing more or less than the GOP base with a new coat of paint. Never mind that virtually everything they were yelling about was based on lies and deliberate misinformation. Never mind that most of them really didn't know what they were talking about, and couldn't spell to save their lives.

Three blivets wreathed in American flags and automatic weapons could stand on a streetcorner with signs reading "Keep Your Damn Government Hands Off My Medicare," and they would find themselves surrounded by camera crews from CNN, MSNBC and, of course, Fox News. But put 50,000 people a day out on the streets of Madison, put tens of thousands more on the streets in every state in the union, and those same news cameras are suddenly too busy covering the Oscars and Lindsey Lohan's ongoing crime spree to make an effort at coverage.

Hm.

I wonder why this is? We have a huge story in the making here, rife with old and new politics that cuts across virtually every segment of American life - blue collar workers, unions, protests, Tea Party governors, fleeing Democratic senators, teachers, budget issues, new media, old media, and the power of simple shoe leather - and yet those who represent the protesters in Wisconsin had to fight like wolverines to get just one of their representatives onto the Sunday political talk shows. Just one. As far as the American "news" media is concerned, Wisconsin simply doesn't exist.

Know what I think?

I think they're scared.

I think the corporations behind the "news" media are conservatives down to their DNA, but understanding that is a matter of simple logic and observation. They made the "Tea Party" into a legitimate political phenomenon by dint of total-saturation coverage. But now, they are trying to disappear the Wisconsin protests by ignoring them entirely. Is it because they don't like the idea of workers having the right to collectively bargain? Definitely. Is it because this national action scares the ever-lovin' crap out of them?

I think absolutely yes.

Keep it up Wisconsin. Keep it up, alternative media. Keep it up, America.

They are scared down to their corporate-owned socks, and as this movement grows, it will be impossible to ignore.

http://www.truth-out.org/the-liberal-media-strikes-again68115

[spanone]

1. k&r

[madamesilverspurs]

2. Hell, yes.

Dammit.

K & R


-

[Jackpine Radical]

3. The Cheesehead Revolution could not exist without the new social media.

With those media, it cannot be stopped..

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[HughBeaumont]

5. Anti-War Protestors during W knew the deal back in 2002-2008.

Not on CNN? Didn't happen.

Some people on this SITE in recent months kept up with this lie that Democrats and progressives didn't take to the streets during W's chicanery. I was utterly dumbfounded, having travelled to DC often during W's reign of error to march with multiple hundred thousands of people and come away frustrated that it was treated as nothing more than a passing item on a ticker.

But they learned their lessons from the 60s. "The Whole World ISN'T Watching!" is now the mantra, and the Internet, sad as it is to say, hasn't yet sent the M$M into the dustbin.

K & R.

[WilliamPitt]

6. Yet.

[Roy Ellefson]

14. Temporarily disheartening

A group of us attended the rally on Saturday (and the Saturday before) we left Madison re-invigorated and optimistic. We drove the three hours back to our Northern Wisconsin homes in the same snowstorm we marched in...but the ride went quickly because we had a lot of great things to talk about. We were anxious to check the media coverage since it is exciting to be present when history is made. We were shocked but not surprised how little impact 120,000 marching in a snowstorm (and tens of thousands around the country)evidently had on our horrible corporate media...shut out of the Sunday news shows (except for Bob Trumka--who did a great job). Even worse, when they do mention the Wisconsin protests is the condescending manner in which most of the beltway bloviators are treating our cause.

That being said the weekday presence of Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow and to a lesser extent Lawrence O'Donnell has helped those of use who can't be in Madison every day maintain our enthusiasm. There's so much at stake here that we must win.

[WilliamPitt]

15. I came up with this line years ago, during the Iraq invasion.

If a tree falls in the forest and the media doesn't report it, did it happen?

Yes.

Ask the tree.

(you're the tree)

( :toast: )

[blm]

44. Yep - in 2004 no news network would air Kerry's speech to firefighters blasting Bush/swiftliars

after they saw some of Kerry's prepared remarks. So...it never happened...and even many Dems make that accusation as the corpmedia goes about its business of rewriting the historic record.

"Liberal media' has been the lie that networks have been hiding behind for a few decades now, and is their built in excuse for why they focus more on RW coverage and opinions.

[stellanoir]

7. I'm deeply disappointed to find this OP to be lacking

a certain "sheen."

k&r

[WilliamPitt]

12. I'm an F-18 and I will deploy my ordnance to the ground.

Better?

;)

Yeah, he actually said that. It is to LOL.

[stellanoir]

16. wows that *is* riveting news.

Now at least I'm deeply relieved to see that your "Adonis gene" perseveres unscathed.

phew

[WilliamPitt]

18. I sense an insult in there somewhere

but am not hip enough to perceive it.

[stellanoir]

21. See it's working !!!

the Adonis gene does indeed repel insults.

Yet far be it from me to behave like a wild boar on your thread or anything.

Besides I'd never ever slight a good neighbor whose "hip-ness" goes without question and knows no bounds.

:hi:

[WilliamPitt]

24. Help. Security.

:P

[stellanoir]

31. yeah. . .right. . .

as if. . .

DHS would give a flying flop about either one of us.

lol

peace on pal

[WilliamPitt]

32. I didn't know we were enemies.

The news bums me all the way out.

:(

[stellanoir]

35. We are *not* enemies silly.

At least as far as I am aware.

Just haven't been posting much here in a long time so I'm probably wickedly out of practice.

Was just making a weak stab at a lame joke about the ever illusory nature of "security."

The Ben Franklin quotation re: liberty / security comes to mind.

Besides, the amelioration of conflict has always been of tantamount importance to me. Perhaps it is so even more so in these times as it would seem as though we've all got to metaphorically get out of the sandbox mode of stupid behaviors for our very survival.

Oh joy.

Here is what I've perceived for what it's worth. . .

Most conflicts occur due to colossally idiotic misunderstandings.

It is energetically impossible for conflict to occur in the absence of mutually shared culpability (though it is often not evidenced as such on this plane).

Conflict only exists to ultimately raise our collective consciousness so that it can eventually be transcended for good.

Now I guess I'm the silly one.

I'll PM ya over the next couple of days with further clarification if I can get it together.

almost happy spring !!!

best

[socialist_n_TN]

8. Sure, it's because they're scared.........

This is the largest sustained populist uprising in 40 years (anti Vietnam war) AND it the largest sustained ECONOMIC populist uprising in 80 years (Depression era union building). BOTH of those movements had a LASTING effect on the public attitudes and beliefs to the DETRIMENT of big government and big business. They SHOULD be scared. It's a positive for the people because the ONLY time we get reforms that actually HELP average people is when the masters are scared of the serfs. I say get rid of the fucking capitalist system all together and try SOMETHNG else. Almost ANYTHING else. So try that on for size richies. SOME of us actually want to eliminate your class all together. Not violently of course, but eliminate as to having any sort of power in the public arena. IOW, we actually want a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.



Now as to this "liberal" media shit, I was around and active during the Vietnam war era and I SURE don't remember the media being so "liberal" about the war. At least not before '69 or so. I watched the evening news for 3 or 4 years as a young teenager wondering WHY the talking heads of that time were IGNORING the anti war protests and cheerleading for that illegal and immoral war. The media are MUCH worse now than then of course, but they've NEVER been "liberal". They've always toed the line until they were FORCED by popular opinion to change.

[TomClash]

9. "I think they're scared"

Probably one of the accurate sentences you have ever written.

You have no idea how right you are. No idea.

When you say "they" know that it is more than just conservatives. Almost all of the elite are scared.

[WilliamPitt]

13. Well...

I have some idea.

;)

[Historic NY]

10. If they want to undercut the people then maybe the tables should be turned...

only contact those responsible, ignore the rest & give them some sign tests.

[walldude]

11. K&R

[LiberalAndProud]

17. I have noticed the term "liberal media" is falling into disuse now.

Rush calls it the "drive by media" in those moments when I am unfortunate enough to be in the same room with his program. And as much as I hate to admit it, that is an apt description of what passes for news these days.

[Uncle Joe]

19. I saw more coverage of Charlie Sheen on the morning propaganda programs than of the historic

ramifications and developments surrounding the standoff in Wisconsin.

The corporate media simply doesn't give a rat's ass about presenting the best interests of the people, their clients first, last and in the middle are just corporations, the people are just customers or consumers to be sold a product, a candidate or down the river.

Thanks for the thread, WilliamPitt.

[myrna minx]

20. It's because the tea partiers are fighting *for*fascism. If the big media

paid as much attention to the Cheddar Revolution, the rest of the country would learn the extent of the rot at the center of the onion and that would ruin the Reagan illusion.

[Major Hogwash]

22. I hate the term "liberal media" as much as I hate the term "great communicator" used with Reagan

If that fucker was such a great communicator he'd still be communicating from the grave telling us more stupid ass stories of his days in Hollywood!

But, death is the great equalizer!

[tcaudilllg]

23. Alas, it is you who "strike".

You need a good deal of introspection sir. Yup.

[WilliamPitt]

25. Rilly?

Tell me why.

[WilliamPitt]

26. Trying again.

Rilly?

[Mojeoux]

27. K&R for our country's future

[Kurovski]

28. K&R

Political pundits and pols often ascribe fear as their opponent's motivation, but this time I think it's true, and it's true in spades.

Good one, Will.

[cate94]

29. K & R

Yup. They are scared.

It should be impossible for the "news" to ignore already, but it is interesting to see them try to find something else to concentrate on.

And it is getting impossible for people to ignore what a sham the "news" is in our country.

[RainDog]

30. not to mention outright lies by Fox News n/t

[AnneD]

33. The revolution will not be televised...

eom.

[malaise]

34. Well said

They're scared shitless

[nxylas]

36. But...but...lots of journalists vote Democrat

That proves the media has a liberal bias :sarcasm:

[Chorophyll]

37. K&R

[Blue_Tires]

38. wonderful stuff...

[happyslug]

39. The Media is NOT conservative, they are corporate.

In simple terms, they are for anything that makes corporations money (or saves corporations money) be it conservative or liberal in nature. Thus if corporate America wants something, the media is all for it, if corporate American against something, the Media is against it. If Corporate American does not care, then the Media is on its own. Gay rights is a classic situation, short term corporation thinking care less about Gay Rights, but long term view it as a way to cut out benefits for worker's spouses and children. Think about it, if you get enough people to oppose gay rights, when gay rights passes, Corporate American can use "Opposition" to gay rights to cut out all those hard won benefits for spouses and children. i.e. cut such rights out completely so that no gay partner ever gets such rights. Remember Corporation are looking from a Corporate position NOT a Government position and there is no legal obligations to extend such benefits to spouses or children unless the employer agrees to such an extension (Government provides tax incentives to do so, but Corporate American can get those extended while cutting out all benefits).

You can see the same policy at work when it comes to Civil Rights and Immigration. Corporate America supported both, for both expanded the pool Corporate American can draw employees from and the bigger the pool, the lower the wages. Thus Corporate American Supported Civil Rights (Except when it comes to Labor Unions) and immigration (and even free trade) so to lower costs including the cost to hire and employ people. Corporate American like Abortion, for it free employees from having to worry about taking care of a child (Thus under both Bushes no real change in Abortion law occurred). Corporation cares less about social rights unless it affects they bottom line, if it helps their bottom line, Corporations are all for whatever reforms being proposed (Mostly Social Rights), but once it starts to hit their bottom line Corporations will oppose any such reform (Mostly Economic Reforms as oppose to Social Reforms).

Do to this split in Corporate America, you have right wing groups calling the Media "Liberal", which it is IF THAT IS THE BEST INTEREST OF CORPORATE AMERICA (for example, support for "Free Trade", "Immigration reform" little action on restricting abortion) on the other hand Working Class American tends to view the Media as "Conservative" do to Corporation's opposition to almost any economic reform, i.e. Unions, Collective Bargaining, increasing the Minimum wage and anything that shows Unions in any good light.

Just pointing out the Media is NOT conservative, but Corporate and in most aspects that is worse.

Thus the real fight has never been over social rights, but economic rights.

[deacon]

40. ...and yet they STILL cover Natalee Holloway! Amazing. n/t

[bongbong]

41. Same as always

Unions overseas? GREAT!
Freedom protests overseas? GREAT!

Unions in USA? HORRIBLE! EVIL!
Freedom protests in USA? HORRIBLE! EVIL!

[bertman]

42. "blivets"? I thought they were known as "dipshits". Oh well. Great post anyway.

[somone]

43. And there is no right-wing conspiracy

:sarcasm:

Great article.

Send it to everyone you know.

[babydollhead]

45. yes!

[deacon]

46. Just checked CNN, MSNBC,USA Today,ABC,CBS and Google News

home pages-- WI is basically non existent to them.

[luv_mykatz]

47. Right on! Will.

And we need to do far more than just scare them.:evilgrin:

Wake up people. Pull the wool away from your eyes. See WHAT is really happening here. Unlike the line from the Crosby, Stills, and Nash song, (For What It's Worth), what is happening IS crystal clear.

STAND UP, AMERICA! Before it is too late.

GO WISCONSIN! Solidarity forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!