Progressives can better influence mainstream media.Thank you for Kimberly Blaker's article "Masters of Media Control" (September/October 2003 issue of the Humanist). The Christian right The term "Christian Right" is used by scholars and journalists, to refer to a spectrum of right-wing Christian political and social movements and organizations characterized by their strong support of conservative social and political values. is very effective at shaping public opinion and progressives can learn a great deal from their media activism Media activism is activism that uses media and communication technologies for social movement, and/or tries to change policies relating to media and communication (media policy activism). . In addition to writing letters to editors, calling station managers, and supporting alternative media outlets like the Humanist, I suggest an underutilized avenue to influence public opinion: A.M. talk radio. It is surprisingly easy to call into both local and national programs and affect the dialogue. The format demands concision con·ci·sion n. 1. The state or quality of being concise: "a role made . . . dramatically accessible by the concision of the form" George Steiner. 2. and patience to endure the ads and temperamental tem·per·a·men·tal adj. 1. Relating to or caused by temperament: our temperamental differences. 2. Excessively sensitive or irritable; moody. 3. hosts but it only takes a moment to interrupt reactionary patterns of thought. Some right-wing hosts welcome calls of dissent. There is no reason why Rush Limbaugh's "dittoheads" should monopolize mo·nop·o·lize tr.v. mo·nop·o·lized, mo·nop·o·liz·ing, mo·nop·o·liz·es 1. To acquire or maintain a monopoly of. 2. To dominate by excluding others: monopolized the conversation. the nation's participatory airwaves. For information about stations, hosts, or program times, contact me at publicmind@msn.com or 303-830-7183. Preston Enright Denver, CO |
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