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Video and Audio Content Pouring In

Neal Bastek — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:53:42 -0700

If we had a dime for every time an NCMR participant looked forlornly at their conference schedule and wondered which session to attend and which, sadly, to skip, we just might be able to write-off the rest of the year's fundraising appeals. It was too hard to choose just one session.

Bill O'Reilly Thinks You're Crazy

jsilver — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:03:43 -0700

Last night, Rupert Murdoch launched a laughable attack against you, the media reform movement, and journalism itself.

His on-air bully Bill O'Reilly called us "crazy" and "fascist" --- you, me, and the millions of others who want media reform. These people are "doing a lot of damage to America," O'Reilly yelled. Our crime? Calling for journalism that's more honest, just and accountable to the public.

The Tipping Point for Media Reform

Megan Tady — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:21:15 -0700

There are moments in every decade when monumental struggles for social change finally tip in favor of the public interest. We've seen the relief of a 40-hour work week, the long-awaited arrival of women’s right to vote, and the even longer fight to end segregation.

Taking it Home

Megan Tady — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:34:14 -0700

Phew! It's been a stellar weekend. But don't pack your bags quite yet. Sunday is as rollicking as the last two days, if only a bit shorter. These sessions, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., should not be missed.

Taking it Home

Megan Tady — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:18:51 -0700

Phew! It's been a stellar weekend. But don't pack your bags quite yet. Sunday is as rollicking as the last two days, if only a bit shorter. These sessions, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., should not be missed.

Putting the Social in Social Networking

Josh Stearns — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:37:56 -0700

2008 may have been a year of political organizing via Facebook, MySpace and YouTube, but the ultimate impact on political and social change remains under debate. This debate was addressed head on in the Organizing for Change on the Social Web session at NCMR this afternoon.

BREAKING: Watch Bill Moyers Speech from Minneapolis

jsilver — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:45:48 -0700

Legendary journalist Bill Moyers electrified an audience of more than 3,500 in Minneapolis this morning calling the media reform movement "the most significant citizens' movement to emerge in this new century."

Moving Media Reform from Broadcast to Broadband

Josh Stearns — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:27:04 -0700

Following up on Bill Moyers, who made it clear in his morning remarks that the future of the Internet is the future of the media reform movement, a panel of scholars, activists and journalists including Robert McChesney, Malkia Cyril, Tim Wu and Amy Goodman discussed the shifting landscape of media and media reform.

What are YOUR 5 words for NCMR 2008?

Jordan Berg — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:02:01 -0700

3,000 people. 300 presenters. NCMR 2008 begins tonight on the banks of the great Mississippi river.

The National Conference for Media Reform is bringing together journalists, policy makers, activists and scholars who have a lot to say about the state of our media and the need for real change. This is your invitation to join the conversation.

What is our Offensive Position?

lgdavitian — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:51:36 -0700

In the Media Consolidation panel discussion period, Linda Foley (Newspaper Guild) asked panelists "we've operated with a defensive strategy for so long, what is our offensive strategy as we move forward?"

Andy Schwartzman of MAP summed up well:

Bill Moyers: What We Need to Know

Josh Stearns — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:42:16 -0700

This morning Bill Moyers kicked off day two of the National Conference for Media Reform, calling on the nearly 3,500 participants to step up, speak up, and take the message of this conference into the streets of America.

NCMR 2008: Power Up for Another Great Day

Holiday Shapiro — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:18:57 -0700

So you thought day one of the National Conference for Media Reform was exciting? Well, power up for day two, because we’ve got a thrilling program of inspiring speeches, engaging panels and new films ahead of us, topped by an amazing night of music, dance and spoken word performances.

Giving the Public a Seat at the Table

Josh Stearns — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:39:11 -0700

At Free Press we often say that one of our central goals is to give the public a seat at the table in the policy debates that shape our media. Everything we do from online petitions and D.C. lobbying to organizing hearings and in-district meetings is an effort to insert the public’s voice into media policy. Today we put that goal into action in perhaps the most literal sense.

NCMR Opening Plenary

Ira Horowitz — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:37:18 -0700

This morning's opening plenary session, speakers kicked off the National Conference for Media Reform and built on the excitement of the burgeoning media reform movement.

Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, said "This conference and this movement is growing to a level we couldn't imagine five years ago. This has truly become a national movement for media reform."

3,000 People: Changing the Movement

Megan Tady — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:03:50 -0700

A handful of Free Press staff and volunteers spent yesterday stuffing 3,000 Free Press tote bags with NCMR materials. What's astounding about the sheer volume of black tote bags tucked under our registration tables is that every bag belongs to a person -- and each of those people represent someone fed up with Big Media and its effects on their community and their country.

Kicking off the Conference

Megan Tady — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:03:46 -0700

Good morning, and welcome to Minneapolis. If you didn't sleep last night because of the excitement, we understand -- the National Conference for Media Reform has never been more thrilling. We've got amazing activists in a great city fighting together for a vital social cause -- a media that’s accountable to the public.

Tune into NCMR's First Ever Radio Row

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:46:30 -0700

We're so excited that the National Conference for Media Reform will be hosting its first Radio Row this year. National and local hosts will be broadcasting live from the Minneapolis Convention Center and recording interviews throughout the conference.

Welcome to the National Conference for Media Reform

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:12:11 -0700

There's just one day to go until the 2008 National Conference for Media Reform here in Minneapolis. But in case you thought the excitement doesn't start until Friday, just check out the amazing series of pre-conference events taking place today. There's a forum for academics, a teach-in on media literacy tools and techniques, a citizen-journalist training, a Consumers Union pre-conference and "Democracy Day" events.

After the pre-conferences, it's time to gear up for the Party for a Media Revolution, the official pre-party of NCMR 2008, at Trocaderos Nightclub in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. The event will showcase some of the Twin Cities' top musical talent, and all party proceeds will benefit Minneapolis' own KFAI Community Radio and the Twin Cities Daily Planet. Tickets are $10 in advance online, $15 at the door. The party starts at 8 p.m. Come celebrate the launch of NCMR!

NCMR on the Web and in Person

Timothy Karr — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:22:14 -0700

Dan Rather, Bill Moyers, Arianna Huffington, Amy Goodman and more than 3,000 people from across the country are now on their way to Minneapolis to attend the National Conference for Media Reform.

Others who can't make the trip will take part in this amazing event via our interactive conference site.

Here's what you'll find online:

Heads Up Everyone - NCMR Starts In 48 Hours

headzup — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:59:38 -0700

Matthew and I are really looking forward to attending our first NCMR conference and to meeting and sharing ideas with everyone. We hope you enjoy our latest Headzup.