FaaB: Media Reform for our common good

Dear Farhad,

Today, I am writing from Boston, in the midst of a gathering of thousands of media activists, academics, journalists, writers, lawmakers, and other supporters of a free and independent media. It is the 2011 National Conference for Media Reform and, as always, Common Dreams is an active participant. Our editorial staff will be working from here for the weekend. Bringing you highlights and live streaming of events.

It is time to re-energize the movement for media reform and media democracy. The connections between media and social, political and economic justice issues are undeniable. We must have a vibrant independent media in order to achieve our progressive goals.

Since the 1980s we have seen unprecedented mergers in our media, Disney and ABC, AOL and Time Warner, Comcast and NBC Universal. There are now only 5 or 6 corporations controlling access to information through multiple modes across the globe.

Not only do we see a terrifying concentration of power (and the increasing capacity for the abuse of that power), we end up with increasingly cookie cutter content across this country and around the world. And as readership of the mainstream media declines, we see more space devoted to advertising and superficial infotainment.

We need our independent media like Common Dreams to stand strong against this tide. Bringing you the voices of dedicated activists and the ideas of creative writers and dreamers building a better tomorrow for our common good.

Can you help sustain us in this work? We must reach our Spring fundraising budget to continue.

Out of the current crisis in the mainstream media comes the opportunity for a new and more democratically independent media. Common Dreams has been here since 1997 and we are in this movement for the long term. Please stand with us and contribute today!

Cheers,

Malory,
on behalf of the whole team at Common Dreams

P.S. Make sure to catch some of the streaming events from the conference!