Time to Make a Progressive News Network

Ok. Here's an idea. How about we stop demanding FOX(FAKE) News to stop propagandizing. They're not going to stop. Ok, so they were caught red-handed with this Shirley Sherrod attempt...that doesn't mean they'll stop their racialized attempts to turning Blacks into the new Taliban. Whipping up fear within Whites as Big Ed, Olbermann, and Maddow have shown. Their arrogance is massive, and they have billionaires backing them up. I get most of my news from Youtube now. Outside of Ratigan, Ed, and Maddow, I've found myself watching "mainstream" news less and less. I just can't take it anymore. And as much as I like the above names, I don't watch their shows when they come on...I catch it on Youtube. Go to the political videos section, there's an abundance of reporting talent to be found on Youtube. The Real News Network, The Young Turks, etc. Real stories. I'm beginning to think that the only way to challenge FOX News is to have a completely Progressive news network. MSNBC is trying to be that, but they still hold back a lot and try to cater to Independents as well. Idk WTF CNN is going, I don't even watch that network anymore. Free Speech TV was just given a channel, but that's premium and only available on DISH Network and DIRECTV. We need something that everyone can access on basic cable. That's the only way we'll be able to not only challenge the Right-Wing, but also challenge the establishment. Of course, MSNBC will never tell you this because that's more competition...AND they'd lose viewers if the programming is up to par. A major problem I see is that lack of funds when it comes to getting anything Progressive-oriented done. Are there no wealthy liberal/Progressives in America? Do we have to begin to look to the UK or France for Progressive money? Where is Hollywood when you really need them? For so many of them to claim to be liberal...I sure don't see the effect where/when it matters. I think they're just as out-of-touch as Washington. What's the likelihood of people who make millions on movies, and live in multiple mansions...feeling the plight of the American people? Something has got to give though and everyone paying attention knows that.

Faux is the tip of an economic syndicate that is very well financed. Faux Noise itself is a subsidiary of a multinational corporation who makes up money the news loses with Simpson episodes or Football games or sales of Direct TV. The Murdoch economic empire is vast and being an agent provacateur has always been his game cause he makes money from it. Faux Noise is his little pet...the squeeky wheel that gets the grease.

Next there's the vast financial resources within the right wing covens...from the Kochs and Scaiffes to the Chamber of Commerce, NRA and other organizations. The money flows through dark channels so that the hands with the money never touch the operatives...so a Slimebart can claim his website is supported by private donors and no one gets disclosed. At least until someone dares to take him to court and goes after his real financing. He's just the latest...there was Jeff Gunkert Gannon and others who have infiltrated the "mainstream" or used Faux to spill lies and create stories.

There have been attempts at a Progressive network...actually several, but there isn't the same deep pockets...and in many cases no need. As Stephen Colbert has said, the truth has a liberal lean. We don't need a Faux as many prefer to look at the world as it is rather than a manufactured one.

Lastly remember who controls the media...large corporates who fear Democrats who favor reregulation and break up their plantations. There's a big reason for the rise of Faux and hate radio...it's called De-Reg '96...it opened the floodgates for thousands of stations to fall into a few hands who have favored a right wing agenda that is heard on their radio stations. Break up that monopoly and push for diversity of the public airwaves. But then the large corporates are bankrupting themselves thanks to their greed...change will come and soon.

Cheers...

First things first, Progressives need an infrastructure I agree. There are wealthy philanthropists all around the world. Progressives in positions of influence could FIND the money if they really wanted to. That's something I was hoping Obama would do. Make paths into a Progressive market. I was expecting waaay too much though. It doesn't even look like he'll try to counter the Right-Wing propaganda.

It's not his place to take on Faux or hate radio...or to try to take it down or censor it. There have been Progressives who tried to build networks in the past that were not able to sustain themselves. Most famous is the dearly departed Air America. The problem is that so many of the best channels are locked away by the large corporates who push the right wing crap and there are precious few stations to build from. Also radio station prices were vastly overpriced and now face a marketplace where much of the advertising revenues have dried up.

While I applaud your intentions, the best way to counter right wing propaganda is on a one on one basis...having millions educated through websites and alternative media to counter the vise grip control corporates have on our public airwaves...

That's the talking point that he shouldn't take them on directly. Many disagree.

This is why the President has a Press Secretary as well as a huge PR staff, not to mention the DNC, DSCC and DCCC...organizations that should be doing the defending. President Obama has plenty of other stuff to deal with than to waste time "arguing" with the closed minds of Ailes, Inc. The problem is few are defending him...especially on the left. The problem is with the media not with the government and that's where it has to be addressed...reregulation would be a very nice first step.

Malloy was there on the ground floor at the launch of three liberal radio networks IE America, Air America, and Nova M. Each time they tried to get rich Liberals to invest in the network, and each time they failed to show up, leaving it up to the usual "venture capitalists" to invest, and such people are rarely on our side.

Long story short, Air America was slowly drowned by the DLC and worse, and the other two networks barely got off the ground at all.

Air America would still be around with it's original lineup today, if there had been some commitment from Liberals with money. And a few years ago, when I heard Al Gore was investing in what was described at the time as a "cable news channel" I expected great things. Instead, what came of that was Current TV, mildly interesting at times, but hardly a news channel comparable with MSNBC/CNN/FAUX and up in the higher priced digital tier on most (if not all) cable systems which means very few people can even see it.

:shrug: