Tuesday, April 26, 2005
SWOP homepageIs there such a thing as the "Mainstream Media?" -- Or alternately titled: The Revolution Will Not Take Place In Blog-landia
Another scuffle in blog-landia has one saying he won't read anymore blogs who use the term "mainstream media" to refer to the mammoth that has become the telecommunications industry, and another saying there is a difference between bloggers and "the corporate media."
I've always had a problem with the term. I mean, how "mainstream" can the big five be? Or is it big four? It is well documented that 4 or 5 companies (it gets smaller every day) own the means to distribute somewhere over %80 of everything we see, read or hear - companies like Time/Warner, General Electric, NewsCorp, Disney and Viacom.
If you own the stream, are there any other streams out there?
More accurate terms would be the "only stream" or the "corporate stream."
These companies hardly represent the "mainstream" of this country's diverse set of viewpoints and perspectives. In fact, most people - including all those with different views - are disgusted with the corporate-streamed media. We understand they're sensationalist, that they don't report on issues that affect our everyday lives and that they're beholden to the bottom line.
Bloggers are offering more views, and Informed Comment's Juan Cole is right to make the distinction between blogging and, say, General Electric. And he also understands bloggers can't ultimately compete with the Disneys and Viacoms. (Matthew Haughey just isn't being honest with himself if he thinks he's as powerful General Electric just because he was on MSNBC once or twice.) But is Juan really outside the mainstream as he professes? Doubtful. And if he is, it's only because 5 companies say so.
Unfortunately, Bloggers have their own set of problems to overcome. And it's going to take a little more than blogs to achieve informed consent.
I repeat, the revolution will not take place in blog-landia.
In the end media ownership rules must be changed and allow for more points of view, particularly those with a public interest, to be broadcast on the public's airwaves.
Free broadband and community-lead, low-power FM radio stations on every block wouldn't hurt either.
I've always had a problem with the term. I mean, how "mainstream" can the big five be? Or is it big four? It is well documented that 4 or 5 companies (it gets smaller every day) own the means to distribute somewhere over %80 of everything we see, read or hear - companies like Time/Warner, General Electric, NewsCorp, Disney and Viacom.
If you own the stream, are there any other streams out there?
More accurate terms would be the "only stream" or the "corporate stream."
These companies hardly represent the "mainstream" of this country's diverse set of viewpoints and perspectives. In fact, most people - including all those with different views - are disgusted with the corporate-streamed media. We understand they're sensationalist, that they don't report on issues that affect our everyday lives and that they're beholden to the bottom line.
Bloggers are offering more views, and Informed Comment's Juan Cole is right to make the distinction between blogging and, say, General Electric. And he also understands bloggers can't ultimately compete with the Disneys and Viacoms. (Matthew Haughey just isn't being honest with himself if he thinks he's as powerful General Electric just because he was on MSNBC once or twice.) But is Juan really outside the mainstream as he professes? Doubtful. And if he is, it's only because 5 companies say so.
Unfortunately, Bloggers have their own set of problems to overcome. And it's going to take a little more than blogs to achieve informed consent.
I repeat, the revolution will not take place in blog-landia.
In the end media ownership rules must be changed and allow for more points of view, particularly those with a public interest, to be broadcast on the public's airwaves.
Free broadband and community-lead, low-power FM radio stations on every block wouldn't hurt either.
