NCMR in the News

My Take on NCMR 2008

Stevie Converse — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:46:26 -0700

About a month ago, I attended the National Conference for Media Reform 2008—first time I’ve attended one of these things. I really didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to get more informed about what’s gone wrong with our mainstream media and get a better handle on what I can do as a concerned citizen.

Big Media vs. America's Right To Know

Stevie Converse — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:17:37 -0700

When the National Conference for Media Reform met here last month, it was the largest gathering of responsible adults ever to address the democracy-destroying impact big media has on America. Some media pundits, including Bill O’Reilly and Fox News, denigrate NCMR for serving an ultra liberal agenda.

Free Press and the National Conference for Media Reform: An Interview with Craig Aaron

Stevie Converse — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:36 -0700

Craig Aaron is the Communications Director for Free Press. He oversees the Free Press Web site and print materials; writes press releases, op-eds and other articles; and closely collaborates with the outreach and policy teams on numerous issues.

Media Conference Addresses Communications Breakthroughs

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:27:53 -0700

A diverse and experienced roster of media leaders headed up this years National Conference for Media Reform, held recently in Minneapolis, Minn.

Three days of panels, workshops and keynote speakers covered current issues in media, including keeping our airwaves accessible and rooted in free speech.

Digital Inclusion for the Community

Stevie Converse — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:10:10 -0700

Akaku’s Media Salon Guest Series about “Media Reform: Building a Grassroots Movement to Ensure ‘Digital Inclusion’ in Community Media” features Akaku President/CEO, Jay April, who will share his recent experience at the National Conference on Media Reform (NCMR) earlier this month and be available to answer questions from residents and independent community producers attending the Media

The Hidden Meaning Behind the Moyers Ambush

Stevie Converse — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:32:29 -0700

The other day, my friend Myles Berkowitz was talking about the Fox News attempt to ambush Bill Moyers. Actually, that's not accurate. Myles never talks, he rants. And this time, like always, he was ranting from a fascinating angle no one else was.

In Media, Too Few Control Too Much

Stevie Converse — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:59:23 -0700

While most Americans enjoy more radio, television, and Internet channels, many do not realize that behind the channel is less choice. Currently, only six corporations control most of what Americans hear, see, and read. Media consolidation threatens citizens’ ability to receive objective information. For example, independent newspapers have decreased by two-thirds in the past 30 years.

Citizens Mobilize for Action as Media Wars Heat Up

Stevie Converse — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:55:29 -0700

As with the first three gatherings, the fourth National Conference on Media Reform went conspicuously missing on the pages, screens, airwaves and cables of what attendees nowadays refer to as the MSM, mainstream media.

My recent search of the New York Times Web site for their coverage of the conference went unrewarded.

Corporate Media Man Gets It Right

Stevie Converse — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:58:37 -0700

William T. Evjue, the founder of this newspaper, was regularly attacked by conservatives -- "Tories" was his preferred term -- for speaking truth to power. Evjue delighted in detailing the attacks in order to illustrate the thinking of those who embraced special interests over democracy.

Conference Links Independent Media to Democracy

Stevie Converse — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:08:10 -0700

The National Conference for Media Reform came to Minneapolis June 6-8, attracting more than 3,500 participants from across the nation. The conference, hosted by the advocacy group Free Press, celebrated recent victories in the fight to oppose increasing corporate consolidation in media ownership while at the same time highlighting continuing threats to a free and independent media.

Free Press Awards 2008 Media Hall of Shame

Stevie Converse — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:08:41 -0700

If we could, we’d stick their photos up in a national “Nauseam.” They’re the media corporations, CEOs and politicians who top this year’s “Media Hall of Shame,” and their antics over the past year make us sick.

We unveiled the top contenders of the Hall of Shame on June 7 in Minneapolis during the National Conference for Media Reform.

Bill Moyers' Speech at the National Conference for Media Reform

Holiday Shapiro — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:45:25 -0700

Prepared Remarks by Bill Moyers

Here we are again.

And our numbers are growing.

Talking Back to Bill O'Reilly

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:05:08 -0700

As Paul Schmelzer wrote on the Minnesota Independent website, "There were two National Conferences on Media Reform in Minneapolis over the weekend: the one I attended and the one Bill O'Reilly, Juan Williams and Fox News talking head Mary Catherine Ham didn't."

This Way to Better Media

Stevie Converse — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:14:23 -0700

“This way to better media,” read the floor sign directing people through a skyway to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Thousands of people gathered there for the fourth National Conference for Media Reform, hosted by freepress.net. They came from all walks of life and all ages to address a central crisis in our society: our broken media system. I was one of the invited speakers.

Seldom So Few

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:34:14 -0700

Some 3,500 stout hearts attended the National Conference for Media Reform last week, and if that seems few for such a big job, note that their numbers are growing. Bill Moyers, the keynote speaker, accurately described media reform as “the most significant citizens' movement to emerge in this new century.”

Internet at the Crossroads

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:01:59 -0700

While a generation of connected Americans can barely remember life without Google or iTunes at our fingertips, millions of others are still stuck beyond the grid — unable to send an e-mail to a loved one, look for a job online, check up on their local city council or research a book report for school.

Media Conference: Getting Hate Speech Off the Dial

Stevie Converse — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:22:18 -0700

Over the past few years, as the immigration debate has heated up, a lot of so-called “mainstream” folks have shown up on television and radio stations to espouse anti-immigration perspectives.

O'Reilly: Media Reformers in Minneapolis 'Stridently Anti-American'

Stevie Converse — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:03:25 -0700

There were two National Conferences on Media Reform in Minneapolis over the weekend: the one I attended and the one Bill O'Reilly, Juan Williams and Fox News talking head Mary Catherine Ham didn't.

This Way to Better Media

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:40:23 -0700

More Faux News: O'Reilly Segment on Conference Features No One Who Attended It

Stevie Converse — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:49:46 -0700

I'm not sure which is more disappointing: That Bill O'Reilly featured a long conversation on the National Conference for Media Reform last night without speaking to anyone who was actually there, or that polls have revealed many Americans actually consider him to be one of the country's most admired news figures.