As a follow up and response to his keynote address on the state of mass media and journalism Robert McChesney sat down this morning with Jared Ball for a discussion of that address. This all was part of the Center for American and World Cultures Robert E. Strippel Memorial Continuing Dialogue on Justice and Human Rights at Miami University (OH). McChesney and Ball discussed differences of historical interpretation, societal function of media and journalism, as well as, media (social and political) justice.
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Dr. Ball made some excellent points. I was so glad he outed the increasingly disappointing Democracy Now for staunchly refusing to interview cogent dissident black intellectuals and activists like the folks at Black Agenda Report, Cynthia McKinney, and Jeremiah Wright. (As the pres. ‘lection draws nigh, you can expect that gal amy goodman to call on her ol’ buddies jesse jackson, al sharpton, m. eric dyson, cornel west, and tavis smiley to boost obummer [with obligatory minor criticisms, of course, to make it all seem not so craven].)
I cant wait for my son to hit 9th grade – he’ll be front and center auditing Dr. Ball’s classes where ever he’s teaching!
Democracy Now shouldn’t be criticized, it should rather be understood for what it is, a white liberal media outlet. All limitations in ideology and tendency are to be expected. If we want our interest represented we have to make our own institutions, otherwise were just bandwagon hoping on other peoples wagons and crying about the paint. The fact their even a conversation after recent coverage of world events is truly a sad indictment on our collective levels of consciousness.
On point as usual Funkinest! I’d like to learn more about your studies on white liberal media. Any way I can get access to that?
Sure, of course they are mentioned in I Mix What I Like! But one can also be found at BlackAgendaReport.com in a piece called “Diversity, Schmiversity” or something like that (regarding Democracy Now).