Free Press in association with the A.E. Havens Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison sponsored:

The National Conference on Media Reform

Nov. 7-9, 2003

Over 1,500 participants attended the three-day conference to discuss the key components of media reform work, as well as to network and share the best practices, tools, and resources for media reform advocacy and activism.

Below are selected keynote speeches:

Conference organizer and professor:
Robert McChesney in RealAudio | in MP3

Robert McChesney, co-founder of Free Press and author of "Rich Media, Poor Democracy" and "Our Media, Not Theirs" discusses the history of media. He believes "The values of a democratic and civil society have been hijacked by the values of commercialism and massive corporations. It is now time to forge a broader, bolder and more politically engaged movement to reform the American media."

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) in RealAudio | in MP3

Sen. Russ Feingold discusses the failures of a concentrated media after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, why media consolidation is a critical issue for a democratic society and how bipartisan efforts are underway in Congress.

Political satirist: Al Franken in RealAudio | in MP3

Nation magazine columnist John Nichols introduces author Al Franken, who discusses his book, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right." He tells of the Fox Network's lawsuit against the use of their trademarked "Fair and Balanced" in his book's title and describes the televised incident when Fox's Bill O'Reilly told Franken to "Shut up!"

Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps in MP3

Michael Copps gives a pep talk for the media reform movement, a "cause critical to the future of every citizen in this country ... Media concentration is not a threat, it's a reality." He describes how the industry pundits and lobbyists called him to say this "coalition has no staying power." He describes how 200 members of the House want to vote to overturn the new ownership caps, and he hopes they will get the right to vote.

Columnist and author Naomi Klein in MP3

Naomi Klein discusses the "larger truth" about the corporate media's suppression of progressive victories around the world.

Global Trade Watch's Lori Wallach in MP3

Lori Wallach discusses corporate-led globalization's effects upon the U.S. media system, trade treaties and our "global democracy."

Democracy Now's Amy Goodman in MP3

Amy Goodman discusses the history of Pacifica Radio Network, its antiwar legacy and the media reform movement today.

... and more video and audio files at the Free Press' website at www.mediareform.net

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