NCMR in the News

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.

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.

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."

Protecting Internet news sources from being controlled by a small number of powerful corporations is one of the "most profound fights of our lives," Josh Silver of Free Press said at the 2008 National Conference for Media Reform.

I’m in town for Free Press’s annual conference for Media Reform. This is my first time at the conference (and actually my first non-DC conference) and I’m amazed at the size!

Minnesota is under the lights and "on camera" this weekend, as a three-day National Conference on Media Reform gets underway this morning at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Rupert Murdoch has sicced his favorite henchman on the media reform movement, sending a crew from "The O'Reilly Factor" to dig for dirt at this weekend's National Conference for Media Reform.

The future of our media does not belong to Clear Channel, Verizon or the Tribune Company. The future of our media belongs to us. All of us in this room and every person across this country. We are here in Minneapolis this weekend to fight for it. And mark my words, we will not stop until we win.

At the National Conference for Media Reform, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! speaks with Adrienne Maree Brown, the executive director of the Ruckus Society, which trains and supports social justice groups in nonviolent direct action.

Jennifer L. Pozner of Women in Media & News liveblogs from the MAGNET (Media Action Grassroots Network) booth at the National Conference on Media Reform (NCMR2008).