| “We urgently need an independent media free from corporate control. Free Press is doing the important work of stimulating a national discussion on the role of a free media in this country. It deserves widespread support.” Howard Zinn |
Who invented the World Wide Web?
Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. For his next project, he's building a web for open, linked data that could do for numbers what the Web did for words, pictures, video: unlock our data and reframe the way we use it together.
Watch his 16:20 video lecture: Tim Berners-Lee on the next Web, on TED.com, here
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Free and Open Source Software
While corporate ownership of TV stations and newspapers has been concentrating, there’s been an offsetting explosion of ‘citizen media.’
 "well-armed with passion for democracy, readiness for action, and courage for the next round in the fight for a free and independent press." Excerpt from Bill Moyer's speech, below, 'Life on the Plantation'
“If we care about a functional democracy that promotes economic justice, human rights, civil liberties, and a true civil society, then we must actively build a democratic and culturally diverse media system.” Danny Glover
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On Crony Capitalism
“We now have an entitled class of Wall Street financiers and of corporate CEOs who believe the government is there to do… whatever it takes in order to keep the game going and their stock price moving upward,” Stockman tells Moyers. >>> more
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How Big Banks are Rewriting the Rules of our Economy
Full Show: Air Date: January 27, 2012
Bill Moyers talks with former Citigroup chairman John Reed and former Senator Byron Dorgan to explore how our political and financial class shift economic benefits to the very top.
Moyers & Company explores the tight connection between Wall Street and the White House with David Stockman, former budget director for President Reagan.
Now a businessman who says he was “taken to the woodshed” for telling the truth about the administration’s tax policies, Stockman speaks candidly with Bill Moyers about how money dominates politics, distorting free markets and endangering democracy. “As a result,” Stockman says, “we have neither capitalism nor democracy. We have crony capitalism.” >>> more |
Bill Moyers Journal: Jon Stewart on Fake News
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Jon Stewart on Fake News
“Liberal and conservative have lost their meaning in America. I represent the distracted center.”
Bill sits down with The Daily Show anchor Jon Stewart to discuss real journalism and fake news.
Jon Stewart has been honored by the Television Critics Association for “Outstanding Achievement in News and Information” in both 2003 and 2005; winning over traditional news shows in the category.
Stewart is also the best-selling author of America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction, which topped The New York Times best seller list for 18 consecutive weeks and was named Book of the Year in 2004 by Publishers Weekly.
Air Date: April 27, 2007 >>> more
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 Life on the Plantation
By Bill Moyers
Addressing the National Conference for Media
To see the video, click here.
We have to find other ways to ensure the public has access to diverse, independent, and credible sources of information. That means going to the market to find support for stronger independent media; ... It means helping protect news gathering from predatory forces. It means fighting for more participatory media, hospitable to a full range of expression. It means building on Lawrence Lessig's notion of the creative common and Brewster Kahle's Internet archives with its philosophy of universal access to all knowledge."
Excerpt from Bill Moyer's speech:
It has long been said (ostensibly by Benjamin Franklin, but we can't be sure) that "democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
My fellow lambs: It's good to be in Memphis and find you well-armed with passion for democracy, readiness for action, and courage for the next round in the fight for a free and independent press.
I salute the conviction that brought you here. I cherish the spirit that fills this hall and the camaraderie we share today. All too often the greatest obstacle to reform is the reform movement itself. Factions rise, fences are built, jealousies mount - and the cause all believe in is lost in the shattered fragments of what was once a clear and compelling vision.
Reformers, in fact, too often remind me of Baptists. I speak as a Baptist. I know Baptists.
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"Stop. Stop. Stop. Don't do it!"
Moyers continues with his story:
One of my favorite stories is of the fellow who was about to jump off a bridge when another fellow runs up to him, crying: "Stop. Stop. Stop. Don't do it!"
The man on the bridge looks down and asks, "Why not?"
"Well, there's much to live for."
"Like what?"
"Well, your faith. Are you religious?"
"Yes."
"Me, too. Christian or Buddhist?"
"Christian."
"Me, too. Are you Catholic or Protestant?"
"Protestant."
"Me, too. Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist?"
"Baptist."
"Me, too. Are you original Baptist Church of God or Reformed Baptist Church of God?"
"Reformed Baptist Church of God."
"Me, too. Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God Reformation of 1820, or Reformed Baptist Church of God Reformation of 1912?"
"1912."
Whereupon the second fellow turned red in the face, shouted, "Die, you heretic scum," and pushed him off the bridge.
That sounds like reformers, doesn't it?
>>>read more
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