The TBA Interview: Tracy Van Slyke
Jun 12, 2007 at 07:40 AM by Bill ScherTracy Van Slyke has been doing the heavy lifting to take back our media, as Program Coordinator of the Media Consortium -- the network of leading progressive independent journalism organizations, and as the former publisher of In These Times magazine. She shares what the rest of us can do to fix our broken media infrastructure.
Q: What do you plan to contribute to the panel you're serving on, "Media Reform on the Rise: Building a Bigger Tent"?
TVS: In the past few years, a growing number of organizations, grassroots activists and media professionals have dedicated themselves to reforming the current corporate media system.
But to truly challenge the power of the corporate media and to change the media landscape, a multi-pronged approach must be pursued. Independent, progressive media is one of the few places that defies corporate media models, consolidation tactics and continues to produce the journalism that builds and informs a strong democracy.
It is important for Take Back America participants to learn that building the independent media is an integral component of the media reform movement. I will discuss the role of the independent media within the larger media landscape and the groundbreaking projects developed by The Media Consortium.
Through innovative new projects, The Media Consortium supports passionate journalism that changes the terms of the American political and cultural debate, advances media outlets to reach a 21st century audience and, last but not least, helps the independent media infrastructure to flourish.
Q: How does the failings of our media impact our ability to advance a progressive agenda?
TVS: The embedded corporate media has routinely abandoned its critical role as watchdog--with no better example then the lead-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. (I echo Studs Terkel who has said that he often confuses "embedded," with "in bed with.")
That's why more and more people are turning to the pages, airwaves, and Web sites of the independent, progressive media to find alternative viewpoints and in-depth investigative reporting.
This country needs an independent media system system that reports on and reflects its constituencies, featuring a diversity of opinions, voices and cultures. We also need a system that acknowledges grassroots activists and community leaders as political and cultural experts, not just the think tanks, academics, politicians and our oh-so-helpful political pundits.
And most of all, we need media that challenges, investigates and questions our government as well as corporations.
With this type of media system, a truly progressive political and social agenda will thrive.
Q: What can Take Back America participants do to strengthen the media in their communities and nationwide?
TVS: More than ever, citizens have the technological ability to provide feedback, critique and story ideas to their local and national media.
Citizens need to be the media's watchdog. But at the same time, we must break up this corporate media monopoly that so greatly influences our political and cultural agenda.
This is why the combination of the media reform movement and building an sustainable and progressive independent media infrastructure is so important. It may seem simple, but supporting independent media, whether through subscriptions, donations, and advertising is so important.
And spread the knowledge! Send your friends, colleagues, coworkers and neighbors links to articles, radio and television highlights or your favorite blogs. Pass them around at your local community gatherings and rallies.
Send the stories to your hometown reporters. Form an "independent media" club at your school or in your neighborhood to discuss the latest in independent local and national reporting and the impact that news has on you.
And most of all, let media outlets know how you are using their reporting in your life. That is essential to bolstering our editorial spirits and supports everyone in building a strong independent media.
Campaign Begins to Stop Congress’ Brazen Violation of the Constitution
In letters to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid the newly formed national organization Friends of the Article V Convention declared its challenge to Congress. “The time has come to stop playing games with the U.S. Constitution and respect the rights of Americans,” said FOAVC founder and National Press Secretary Joel S. Hirschhorn, a former senior congressional staffer.
FOAVC told Pelosi and Reid that Congress has a legal obligation to call a convention and that it is initiating a national campaign to build public pressure on Congress for a convention. "The one and only requirement specified in Article V for a convention is that two-thirds of state legislatures apply for a convention. With over 500 applications from all 50 states on record with the Congress that sole requirement has been more than met. Congress has never passed any law to expand or further specify requirements for an Article V convention, meaning the language in Article V prevails,” said FOAVC.
“Congress has cheated Americans by not obeying Article V of the Constitution. Members of Congress are violating their oath of office to faithfully obey the Constitution,” said Hirschhorn, “and we must hold them accountable.”
“Members of Congress seem more effective as lawbreakers than lawmakers,” added California congressional candidate Byron De Lear and an FOAVC founder. “If Congress can silently and unilaterally ignore or veto one part of the Constitution, then it can disobey any part of it,” said De Lear.
Thomas E. Brennan, former Chief Justice, State of Michigan, and an FOAVC founder has said publicly that a convention “is necessary, desirable, and feasible.” The convention option “is to be taken seriously…it is not a joke, nor an illusion. It would bring a new, responsible dimension to American politics,” said Brennan.
“Operating outside the control of the federal government convention delegates could, like members of Congress, consider any constitutional amendments they deem necessary to address unresolved national problems – and that’s what frightens politicians,” noted Hirschhorn.
De Lear said, “Congress can’t have it both ways. Give Americans its first Article V convention or propose a constitutional amendment to remove the convention option.” FOAVC reminded Pelosi and Reid that Abraham Lincoln and Dwight D. Eisenhower supported use of the convention option. “Sadly, no current Democratic or Republican presidential candidate has done likewise, especially mavericks like Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel and ‘champion of the Constitution’ Ron Paul,” noted De Lear.
The non-partisan FOAVC at www.foavc.org urges Americans and state legislatures to demand that Congress obey the Constitution, respect states’ rights, and announce the first Article V convention. FOAVC does not support any specific constitutional amendment, though it invites groups advocating specific reforms that might be achieved through amendments to become Affiliate Members.
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