Dan Rather Slams Press Coverage Of War And Corporate News

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Dan Rather addressed the 2008 National Conference On Media Reform in Minneapolis on Saturday, where he warned of the dangers of corporate media ownership. Rather told the crowd:

Now, I have spent my entire life in for-profit news, and I happen to think that it does not have to be this way. I have worked for news owners who, while they may have regarded their news divisions as an occasional irritant, chose to turn that irritant into a pearl of public trust. But today, sadly, it seems that the conglomerates that have control over some of the biggest pieces of this public trust would just as soon spit that irritant out.

So what does this mean for us tonight, and what is to be done?

It means that we need to be on the alert for where, when, and how our news media bows to undue government influence. And you need to let news organizations know, in no uncertain terms, that you won't stand for it...that you, as news consumers, are capable of exerting pressure of your own.

It means that we need to continue to let our government know that, when it comes to media consolidation, enough is enough. Too few voices are dominating, homogenizing, and marginalizing the news. We need to demand that the American people get something in exchange for the use of airwaves that belong, after all, to the people.

It means that we need to ensure that the Internet, where free speech reigns and where journalism does not have to pass through a corporate filter... remains free.

We need to say, loud and clear, that we don't want big corporations enjoying preferred access to - or government acting as the gatekeeper for - this unique platform for independent journalism.

Watch Rather's address below:

Comments

[dgscol]

Where is investigative reporting? Is there "Freedom of the Press", when the press never exercises
its freedom?

Why don't reporters from the right, ever stick a mike in someone's face and ask a hard question?

Is Mike Wallace's son a mutant? Could he be his father's son?

[kameleon75515]

The internet will change this situation in a major way and level out the playing field.

Why?

Because technology will evolve. Companies are currently developing internet tv sets that merge the two mediums so that the process of surfing the net on tv will be better than it is right now.

Viewers will be able to see online programmes running along side tv programmes and thats when the competition will really begin. We are seeing that now with terrestrial versus cable. In the future it will terrestrial Vs cable Vs internet news.

So places like the Huffington post could expand and make its own in-house reporting and video content.

In the short term l think if this issue is raised in town hall meetings with the presidential candidates especially Obama there maybe some traction there. Signs of wariness towards the media are already being shown by the candidates in their rejection of ABC hosting their debates. We all saw the hatchet job they did on Obama during the primary so there maybe an incentive there for them to address this issue.

[mouselion]

What is interesting to me is the fact that folks to HuffPo to read blogs and comment on politics and stuff, hundreds and sometime s thousands of replies on the discussion threads -- yet, whenever there are articles on net neutrality or keeping the airwaves free to the public, the interest is very low. You'd think folks would want to be active on these topics -- yet they're not. It takes a well-known talking head making a speech on youtube for people to even take notice.

[Chalkeater]

All the corporate war salesman are still employed and Rather was the only one to lose his job for doing a negative story on King Bush.

[jaschrod]

By that time, Rather had already gleaned his fortunes from his inaction.

[kfdan]

We need to end corporate control of news media! That's a start! We also have to insure that the net is protected from being used as a propaganda tool by assuring that it remains open in both content and delivery to everyone! The net has been very active in keeping tabs on the real news while mainstream news media outlets have been playing patty-cake with the powers that be!

[NotMcCain]

Rather's right. It's scary to think that our "free press" isn't free at all when corporate interests influence or outright control journalism.

He makes a good point about the value of complete, unfettered freedom on the Internet. There are arguments against it, of course, but he's right to get us thinking about the alternative.

[afgail]

There are several things we can do. One, we can reinstate the "Fairness Doctrine" which Reagan killed. Two, we can make the relicensing of our airways a more comprehensive process where the news media have to practice real journalism or lose their license.

[luvobama]

I have a really good friend. She's from Germany, and she's smart. She has lived here a long time. Long enough to vote. Anyway, she told me after 9-11 that America had just lost it's innocence. Of course I was too young... But now I get it. Our government screwed with me. And now I'm screwed. Nice.

[ObamaEdwards]

I'm getting tired of people who want to slam media coverage of Iraq and corporate deals. Where have these astute critics been hiding all these years? Yes, we need better media coverage, and more serious discussions of issues. We know, already. Got any plans in mind?

[luvobama]

That's absolutely correct.

[jian1312]

PBS and NPR, or, public-funded media, not-for-profit media. HuffPost is a good example. We turned to this site, coz we got tired of MSM. Anytime we wonder what the h#ll is going on with media coverage, there's a bullet-proof answer - follow the money! MSM is the way it is now, because they are for-profit and they need corporate advertisers. They can't care less about fair and truthful coverage. I can't blame them, because that's what for-profits do. They are doing what they were created to do, what's wrong with that?! Nothing.

We need more not-for-profit media outlets. PBS and NPR have done great work, but their funding is always an issue, and their constant pledge drives can get on people's nerves. They shouldn't need to do this much fund raising on the air. They should be better funded on state and federal levels. I'm surprised not many people have raised this as an urgent issue; but then, they are probably more concerned with losing their jobs, hence their health care, their homes, their retirement, ... so I can't blame them either.

It's a classic chicken or egg first question. When you have people like Lou Dobbs trashing immigrants everyday on air, the real cause of the plight of the middle-class hides behind immigrant-hating. We end up with vicious circle of misinformation -> not debating real issues and real causes -> false debates -> more misled misinformed public -> more misinformation.

[userw014]

Sure, the fund drives of NPR and PBS are a nuisance, but at least here in SE Michigan they're (usually) only twice a year. These days, I'm almost ready to drop Comcast because of the ads Comcast has for itself!

The fund drives of NPR and PBS make them accountable. But the relative infrequency of the drives also give them some independence too.

Sure, I'd like to see more government support of PBS and NPR, but the public support is important too. Michigan offers a state tax credit for support of various public institutions. Since most public radio stations here are strongly connected to public schools, colleges, and universities, support of these stations is eligible for this credit. I'd like to see a similar citizen directed mechanism at the federal level.

[j0hnwi11iams]

Yes, I have an idea. Shatter large media conglomerates. Hold media accountable for the TRUTH. Fully fund independent PBS and other independent news organizations like democracy now. Expell Murdoch from the US media for cashing in on public trust.

[HarlemFreeThought]

IMO One has to search for true journalism. This entails reading, yes good old fashion reading. MSM is very limited in depth analysis of news . Responsible media cover ie Link-TV and FreeSpeech are sadly off the radar the average Joe. It is our media culture which dictates our information. MSNBC testosterone injected, racist block of prison shows is proof. I viewed the keynotes speakers at the NCMR, and was truly inspired by the level of grassroots media emerging across the nation. They are an army out to inform communities of the disparity in our media landscape. Bill Moyers also spoke at the NCMR recommends this book as a primer for media reform."Our Media, Not Theirs" http://www.amazon.com/Our-Media-Not-Theirs-Open/dp/1583225498 I too highly recommend this book

[MikePatronSaintofTruth]

Hiding?? Are you kidding me?? I've been a vocal, vociferous critic of the media from 2002 onward. During "shock and awe" I was telling people that the media was carrying water for Cheney and Bush because the "media" are owned by even bigger companies that LOVE the idea of the U.S. government placing the American military at the disposal of corporate interests (in the case of Iraq, stealing Iraq's oil for Bush's pals in the oil industry --and all other manufacturing companies that use oil in their production or whose products use oil (like car manufacturers)). Remember some of the puffed up reporters that died while "embedded" as propagandists with U.S. military? Or that got half their heads blown off ... I publicly denounced them as war propagandists, because that was what they were.

Got any plans in mind?? How about educating the American people. That's where is all starts. And that's what the comments on these websites help to accomplish.

[realpolitic]

Rather is so right! One of the oddest things was hearing high profile pundits such as David Gregory get so entirely defensive when former Bush spokesman Scott McClellan accused the White House press pool of being "overly deferential." Gregory and others insisted they were not, of course. Months before, Gregory had danced on the same stage with Karl Rove at a White House correspondent's dinner.

Of course, now the media is the judge and jury of their own performance. It is currently a press that only Big Brother could love. They act as stenographers to any White House contrived charges and justifications. The press no longer consults independent sources or checks out what is told them. Then they likely go to some high priced restaurant to celebrate their contribution to democracy.

Unlesss, the press wakes up it will make it easy for other demagogues and constituit­ion-bender­s like Bush to slowly erode our democracy until we no longer recognize it. Dan Rather right now is just a weather vane. He is warning us of turbulence on the horizon. We can not leave protecting our privacy and our civil liberties to politicians or else we have lost them already.

[luvobama]

I think S. Mc Clellan is going to be a drop in the bucket. The amount of people spilling their guts, is going to be embarassing. That is how our government rolls.

[realpolitic]

Yes, I hope the inside accounts keep coming. Though others have written inside accounts of the dishonesty and cynicism of this White House, McClellan is one of the first of the Bush loyalists from Texas. This White House banked on no one having a conscious and McClellan did.

[NTO08]

I thought Gregory made a complete ass of himself in his defensive response to Scottie's charges...in hindsight, all are to blame: Scottie, MSM (including Gregory, as well as true assholes like Tim Russert) and other Bush lackeys.

[realpolitic]

Gregory looked like a fool. When even the White House press secretary says the press corps is "overly deferential" and Gregory denies it, he is as out of touch as the Bushies. Russert hosted Cheney on Meet The Press to make his allegations about Saddam's weapons capabilites without even checking out what he said. Just think if Russert had a weapons expert there to correct Cheney. it may have turned public opinion in the crucial buildup to the war stage. These modern pundits just mail it in.

[darker]

Bravo, Dan Rather!

The Media/Press benefits from the NANNY STATE FOR THE RICH & greedy corporate welfare queens who control corporations, all ADVERTISING--they pay for it and THEY CONTROL MEDIA.
The media is NOT FREE and not independent. Those are MYTHS.

[realpolitic]

Yes, Rather was right. The corporate media does not want to give us any really bad news because it interferes with the selling of products. Therefore, all our news is waterdowned like we are babies. Thus, we are asked to make complex decisions in the voting box on little information without being informed in any way. Fox news fills the gap with misinformation and slander.

[jian1312]

I've been saying this for a while too. What we need is a much bigger presence of not-for-profit media, such as public tv (KQED) and public radio (NPR). And we need to make sure they are adequately funded and will be adequately funded for a very long time.

For my part, I've long stopped watching MSM, except "60 Minutes" on CBS. They are such a nuisance to watch with all the commercials and so blatantly manipulative that I can't take them any more. They insult viewers' intelligence, with that prime example of Pennsylvania debate where they showed the elder lady asking her famous lapel pin question, as if they didn't know that it was entirely irrelevant, trivial, and altogether had the intelligence of a 5-year old. But such is the sad state of our MSM, and I refuse to watch. I hope more and more people do the same.

[ObamaEdwards]

You know, my husband and I were talking about this, too. There ought to be a much bigger push--and funding for--radio to counter balance the conservative influence in that medium. You can reach a conservative audience via the Web, and on TV. But you are better off using radio. That's one reason the right-wing hosts have clout. They are using their target audience's medium of choice. Go where the people are, whom you want to address. Air America is not broad enough to do it. It would take many new stations, nationwide, with small budgets, no big stars but a few people and students with experience. If you want to reduce the power of the Limbaughs, you have to reach the same people in the same fashion, then don't talk down to them. That's important. So much of media is so haughty and contemptuous of middle America. We need to lose the attitude and just talk with people and find out what's going on in every part of the country.

[luvobama]

That sicko kind of radio will always be here. Yuck. However, there are people like you and I that will never have it!!! I will never believe they win.

[NTO08]

Air America lost its credibility when it started pandering (in as a ridiculous way as right wing talk radio does for right wing candidates) for its candidate of choice, Obama...the station became unlistenable as each host presented endless rehashes of Axelrod talking points...it got to sound like each one of the hosts was handed a press release to regurgitate on air.

[jian1312]

Excellent point! But will be hard to do. It sounds like the kind of thankless, fameless work that ambitious upwardly mobile intellectuals choose not to do. Maybe, it can be done as some kind of volunteer based small community operation. Maybe they can use volunteer retirees and students to do these radios, with some funding from local government.

Retirees might be a huge untapped pool for this kind of work, since nowadays people have so many more productive years after they retire and they are still so active and want to contribute to their communities.

[j7uy5]

Exactly so. One of the problems with for-profit media is that they always will be pro-war. War is big news, and big news makes money. Therefore, profit-oriented media will always have an incentive to support war.

[JScott]

And of course you will NEVER see this on 60 minutes (sadly) or 20/20 (typically)
you MIGHT see it on PBS and sadly most folks still get their news by the old media.

[Erdgeist]

The press, largely, has been guilty of helping to start the Vietnam War and the Iraq war. The press lied about 9/11 and a legion of others issues--and we, the public, although not guilty, all stand responsible.

[NTO08]

The public does bear responsibility for sitting idly by and absorbing the shit they were handed on a stick...some of us didn't buy it, never will...weren't people taught to read between the lines and question anything you read? Accepting authority is never admirable.

[slinkymom]

Absolutely people have to become responsible for seeking out the truth. Within the group of my family and friends, we have all been steadily turning way from the MSM and looking to sites such as HuffPo to gain a more in depth aspect of what is happening in America and the world. I am always suspicious of sites that cannot, or won't, link to a site to confirm their information. It is incredibly helpful that video links and transcripts can be put up so quickly as they prove a point faster than anything else can to those who refuse to read. We spread information and links to our friends and family, especially those that are still in denial about the misinformation being spread by the MSM. It is working, but slowly. However, with each new person that gains this new understanding of how they can access real information, we are that much closer to stopping the current media control.

[bikerdude]

This speech by Rather and the Video by Moyers are great pieces about a very, very serious problem. Pass them around so we can keep people talking about this issue.

[HumeSkeptic]

If one wishes to put a date on it, American journalism died around the time of the first Gulf war. Since then, the press (in Rather's vocabulary) is simply a part of the military-industrial complex.

I pay no attention to American journalists when it comes to foreign relations.

[JDD]

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans do.

[researcher]

the vast majority of americans are so brainwashed they actually think everything american is the best in the world.

super power status has turned into super power arrogance and ignorance

it will take a complete meltdown of the economy to awaken the majority of americans

it is a class war but americans are too dumb and brainwashed to figure that out

as their brainwashed parents looked for commies under their beds their children now look for socialists and terrorists under their beds.

all the while the industrial military complex folks smile all the way to the bank on the backs of the working class and the blood of the military grunts who are too dumb to know they are being used for profits.

please note bush and cheney have committed treason and war crimes and congress does nothing. ie they also are on the take ie lobbyists money

america has become a nation of imperialists and many are out and out war mongers.

[BlueOnBlue]

Wow. A mention of Rather really attracts Republican trolls.

Bush did go AWOL, you know. Rather never got the right papers because Rove had them destroyed. Dan will be vindicated in this someday. Meanwhile, it's nice that he's still around speaking the truth..

[10ghostcommander]

Many thanks to Dan Rather for telling it like it is. If only the MSM would come alive, because right now and for 7.5 years they have been the "living dead". Helen Thomas hit the nail on the head when she said "Where is everybody, for Gods sakes." Where is the MSM? Are they on auto-pilot? Do they realize that by not reporting the news, they are playing their part in the "Killing of America."