YOU Are the Media!

[JC4liberty]

In a day where 90% of the mainstream media - newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations are all controlled by a handful of giant conglomerates and mega-corporations, it's becoming increasingly obvious that that we are only getting spoon-fed the "bits and pieces" deemed appropriate for us to consume. Why are certain stories or stances rarely discussed? Indeed, even in 1966, Walter Cronkite wrote:

"'A handful of us determine what will be on the evening news broadcasts, or, for that matter, in the New York Times or Washington Post or Wall Street Journal.... Indeed it is a handful of us with this awesome power... a strongly editorial power....we must deicide which news items out of hundreds available we are going to expose that day. And those [news stories] available to us already have been culled and re-culled by persons far outside our control.'"

We need to step up to the plate and be the 'new media'. The rise of the Internet has been our sole beacon of unfiltered truth. Granted, it's being flooded with MM's (mainstream media's) propaganda. But no longer do they have sole control over the sources and ultimate destinations of information. Knowledge that has been supressed, marginalized or shunned for decades is now available if someone has the audacity to publish it. New information that would have been significantly delayed or never would have been available at all is now often instantly available. No longer is it restrained by profitability, accountability (which granted lends to more fact-checking and analysis), or downright disapproval. Anyone with access to the Internet can publish content with little cost or effort. This is a tremendous tool for spreading truth, questioning status quo's and raising debate on topics typically deemed taboo, or the opportunity to take stances that are typically filtered or frowned upon.

In this age, the Internet is the true liberator and equalizer. Now, we no longer have to follow THEIR rules! WE the PEOPLE are making our own rules! In fact, MM is playing catchup, with reduced revenue due to audiences moving to the alternative media, bloggers, podcasters, etc. Oh, there are calls being made to censor or start to regulate the Internet. We must not allow that. And we must take advantage of our tremendous opportunities now while we can, in case something horrible like that ever DOES happen. Because no matter what we are subjected to, if we can keep the Internet alive and open, we can share information that any would-be oppressors may try to stifle.

Many people have already beckoned the call. I finally have, will you? Pick up your keyboard, grab a microphone or a webcam. BE THE MEDIA. The time is now! Spread the word, promote your cause, connect and network with like-minded people and share essential information. And if your message is consistent with our message of liberty, it is welcome here! Feel free to start a blog, start a group or upload your videos to this site. Upload videos to youtube. Start your own podcast. Go to your local public cable access station and get some airtime, before MM buys it up. Let your voices be heard. Let freedom ring. As the late Aaron Russo said, quoting an anonymous source - "there's something in the air, but it's not on the airwaves..." And as Naomi Wolf said, "We have to abandon the passive role we have accepted as mere consumers of media; we must see ourselves in a new light...see ourselves once again in a Revolutionary light--as citizen leaders with a responsibility to speak the truth". So let's get it out there....

For Liberty!