Digital Democracy,Communication Rights and New Media Review of Social Problems of New Media Rhetoric and Reality on the Internet Ideology of the.

Digital Digital Democracy,Communication Democracy,Communication

Rights and New MediaRights and New MediaReview of Social Problems of New MediaReview of Social Problems of New Media

Rhetoric and Reality on the InternetRhetoric and Reality on the InternetIdeology of the InternetIdeology of the Internet

The Right to CommunicationThe Right to Communication

Ideology of the Internet ( Birdsall et Ideology of the Internet ( Birdsall et al)al)

Rise of neo liberal thinking about the new Rise of neo liberal thinking about the new economyeconomy Celebrate Joseph SchumpeterCelebrate Joseph Schumpeter Create Industry Councils to deliberate on Create Industry Councils to deliberate on

future of Internetfuture of Internet Decline to regulate the InternetDecline to regulate the Internet Link up Schools as sole sop to universalityLink up Schools as sole sop to universality Fail to provide for Canadian content on Fail to provide for Canadian content on

education Internet websiteseducation Internet websites

The Right to CommunicateThe Right to Communicate

Birdsall et al refrain from a full articulation.Birdsall et al refrain from a full articulation. Why? Citizens should be involved in Why? Citizens should be involved in

defining itdefining it Yet 1991 Canadian Act in Broadcasting Yet 1991 Canadian Act in Broadcasting

did not involve Citizens….1996 US Act did not involve Citizens….1996 US Act involved citizens, but the civic agenda lostinvolved citizens, but the civic agenda lost

Communication RightsCommunication Rights

1.1. Right to inform and be informedRight to inform and be informed

2.2. Right of active participation in Right of active participation in communication processcommunication process

3.3. Right of equitable access to Right of equitable access to communication resources and communication resources and informationinformation

4.4. Right to privacy: individual and collectiveRight to privacy: individual and collective source: Birdsall et al in courseware.source: Birdsall et al in courseware.

Constitutional FrameworkConstitutional Framework

Stipulates “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and Stipulates “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of speech and the press expression, including freedom of speech and the press and other mediaand other media

In legal interpretation, both a shield and a sword In legal interpretation, both a shield and a sword ( unstable history) since may be subject to ‘reasonable ( unstable history) since may be subject to ‘reasonable limits’limits’

Need more affirmation of a Right to CommunicateNeed more affirmation of a Right to Communicate A charter amendmentA charter amendment A new judicial discourseA new judicial discourse A public internet policy( Birdsall et al)A public internet policy( Birdsall et al) Irony: In Canada, most jurisprudence brought by individuals Irony: In Canada, most jurisprudence brought by individuals

against the laws, not groups against corporations or stateagainst the laws, not groups against corporations or state

Responsibilities to CommunicateResponsibilities to Communicate

Democracy thrives on creation of a Democracy thrives on creation of a culture of citizenshipculture of citizenship Individuals have to assume responsibility to keep Individuals have to assume responsibility to keep

informed, participate in the political process, and direct informed, participate in the political process, and direct their communication rightstheir communication rights

The issue: if these responsibilities honoured, does the The issue: if these responsibilities honoured, does the State have to ensure there is non-commercial space for State have to ensure there is non-commercial space for communication alternatives?communication alternatives? Intervene to ensure choiceIntervene to ensure choice Fund alternative news sourcesFund alternative news sources Support the CBCSupport the CBC But also support indie media more fully, in advertising, editorial But also support indie media more fully, in advertising, editorial

development, training and media literacy programsdevelopment, training and media literacy programs This asserts there must be a positive role of the State in This asserts there must be a positive role of the State in

providing citizens with the capacity to exert their franchiseproviding citizens with the capacity to exert their franchise

ReviewReview

What is the theoretical framework for this class?What is the theoretical framework for this class? What do people say are the effects of the What do people say are the effects of the

media?media? What are some of the central problematics in the What are some of the central problematics in the

study of the media in Canada and around the study of the media in Canada and around the world?world?

The Overall FrameworkThe Overall Framework

Cultural Model of communicationCultural Model of communication How do the media and communication processes construct a How do the media and communication processes construct a

map of meaning in which people travel over time?map of meaning in which people travel over time?

Explores the predominant democratic values, Explores the predominant democratic values, constitutional frameworks and ideologies about constitutional frameworks and ideologies about what the what the media ‘ought’ to domedia ‘ought’ to do

Also implies point of view in evaluating Also implies point of view in evaluating how well they dohow well they do Explores lack of ‘culture of citizenship in the media’Explores lack of ‘culture of citizenship in the media’ From a sociological perspective, embraces both conflict From a sociological perspective, embraces both conflict

and interactionist perspectivesand interactionist perspectives

Assumptions of the “Cultural Assumptions of the “Cultural Model”Model”

Both market and state decisions about the media create our cultural Both market and state decisions about the media create our cultural worldsworlds

Systems and structures of ownership and control create Systems and structures of ownership and control create professional environments and values which promote a certain professional environments and values which promote a certain capitalist world viewcapitalist world view

““cultivation” of world views, consequences on social stability, cultivation” of world views, consequences on social stability, political cohesion and democracy are profoundpolitical cohesion and democracy are profound

They are cumulative: long term: still only in second generation of They are cumulative: long term: still only in second generation of their effectstheir effects

If you are a liberal/pro democracy, this is not fundamentally If you are a liberal/pro democracy, this is not fundamentally disturbingdisturbing

If you are critical of capitalism, you explore the operation of If you are critical of capitalism, you explore the operation of hegemony working to suppress minorities, workers and the hegemony working to suppress minorities, workers and the dispossessed.dispossessed.

The Impact of Television: A The Impact of Television: A Canadian Natural ExperimentCanadian Natural Experiment

Communities like Igloolik twice voted Communities like Igloolik twice voted against having TV in the Northagainst having TV in the North

Eventually concededEventually conceded A study by Tannis McBeth Williams looked A study by Tannis McBeth Williams looked

at a natural experiment: before and after at a natural experiment: before and after introduction in 1970s. There was ‘notel’ introduction in 1970s. There was ‘notel’ ‘mulitel’ and a control‘mulitel’ and a control

A multi part studyA multi part study

Impact of TV on Creativity ( Key Impact of TV on Creativity ( Key to Culture of Citizenship)to Culture of Citizenship)

Does TV facilitate or inhibit creative Does TV facilitate or inhibit creative thinking or imagination?thinking or imagination? Looked at the alternate uses taskLooked at the alternate uses task

(e.g. tell me the different ways you can use a (e.g. tell me the different ways you can use a newspaper)newspaper)

Total number and originality scoredTotal number and originality scored

Findings: CreativityFindings: Creativity

Notel scored higher before TVNotel scored higher before TV A drop in length people would try to solve A drop in length people would try to solve

problemsproblems Other dimensions: vocabulary use, spatial Other dimensions: vocabulary use, spatial

ability, reading IQ followed similar trendsability, reading IQ followed similar trends Particularly marked among childrenParticularly marked among children Why?Why?

TV displaced other activities where creativity is TV displaced other activities where creativity is valued: displaced deeper information processing, valued: displaced deeper information processing, encouraged convergent, not divergent thinkingencouraged convergent, not divergent thinking

TV suppresses a culture of creativity, intrinsic to a TV suppresses a culture of creativity, intrinsic to a culture of citizenshipculture of citizenship

Findings: Aggression/Civility Findings: Aggression/Civility ( Key to Culture of Citizenship)( Key to Culture of Citizenship)

Looked at patterns of children’s playLooked at patterns of children’s play Aggression used in place of a social solution more oftenAggression used in place of a social solution more often Stereotyping and other expectations more prevalent.Stereotyping and other expectations more prevalent. Emotion, not Rational problem solving during conflict Emotion, not Rational problem solving during conflict

promotedpromoted Rejection of any effects not logically tenableRejection of any effects not logically tenable TV cultivates a ‘mean world’ syndrome which TV cultivates a ‘mean world’ syndrome which

saps a culture of citizenship, a sense of saps a culture of citizenship, a sense of community empowermentcommunity empowerment

Clearly, proven to displace other leisure pursuitsClearly, proven to displace other leisure pursuits

What are the Cultural Effects?What are the Cultural Effects?

Media now predominantly commercially driven ( less Media now predominantly commercially driven ( less than 3% of TV viewing is now non commercial)than 3% of TV viewing is now non commercial) Exist to sell ideas, products valuesExist to sell ideas, products values Promote consumerism, individualism, will to gratify individual Promote consumerism, individualism, will to gratify individual

choicechoice

Promote ‘lifestyle’ politics: branding of self and identitiesPromote ‘lifestyle’ politics: branding of self and identities ““post” modern valorization of choice, diversity, differencepost” modern valorization of choice, diversity, difference All as superficial styleAll as superficial style

Promote an ethical relativism:Promote an ethical relativism: its all a matter of taste, if you don’t like it, switch it offits all a matter of taste, if you don’t like it, switch it off

TV commodifies politics, creates a culture of consumers, TV commodifies politics, creates a culture of consumers, not citizens ( See Fletcher and McGrath)not citizens ( See Fletcher and McGrath)

What are the Political Effects?What are the Political Effects? Media set the agenda for what the public thinks is importantMedia set the agenda for what the public thinks is important

Public opinion polls repeatedly find what people say is the top problem facing the nation is Public opinion polls repeatedly find what people say is the top problem facing the nation is what the media are coveringwhat the media are covering

‘‘Frame’ news in a certain wayFrame’ news in a certain way So that elections are about the “horserace” and not the issues : Mayor DaVinciSo that elections are about the “horserace” and not the issues : Mayor DaVinci So that there is a “war on terrorism” which legitimates almost total suspension of civil So that there is a “war on terrorism” which legitimates almost total suspension of civil

libertiesliberties Guilty of war, not peacemongering?Guilty of war, not peacemongering?

Annenberg: cultivate a “mainstream world view” heavy TV viewers, lack of Annenberg: cultivate a “mainstream world view” heavy TV viewers, lack of tolerance for diversity or complexitytolerance for diversity or complexity

Historically: media focus on “ the now”:Historically: media focus on “ the now”: do not provide the past or contrary interpretations of the do not provide the past or contrary interpretations of the past and present past and present

Indirectly,Indirectly, send the political system into disreputesend the political system into disrepute may be contributing to the decline of party loyalty,may be contributing to the decline of party loyalty, rise of swing voters, or decline of voting levels ( Taras, rise of swing voters, or decline of voting levels ( Taras,

Fletcher and McGrathFletcher and McGrath

Structural view: Key agent of socialization into values of democratic capitalismStructural view: Key agent of socialization into values of democratic capitalism Critical View: Key agent of hegemony: maintenance of power and exploitation Critical View: Key agent of hegemony: maintenance of power and exploitation

of weakof weak

The Conflict of Values in News The Conflict of Values in News Manufacture: Democracy’s OxygenManufacture: Democracy’s Oxygen

What sellsWhat sells What is ‘hot’ recentWhat is ‘hot’ recent What is close and What is close and

relevantrelevant Reports starsReports stars Involves conflictInvolves conflict Easily labels: reductionistEasily labels: reductionist Unexpected, novelUnexpected, novel

What the society thinks it What the society thinks it valuesvalues

What matters: What matters: What is not ambulance What is not ambulance

chasingchasing Reports broad Reports broad

newsmakers and NGOsnewsmakers and NGOs Features conflict Features conflict

resolutionresolution ComplexComplex Context: history, a map to Context: history, a map to

interpreting complexityinterpreting complexity

What are the social effects?What are the social effects?

Fleras: media express dominant culture, contain minority Fleras: media express dominant culture, contain minority cultures, establish hierarchy, exclusion or inclusioncultures, establish hierarchy, exclusion or inclusion

Promote social tolerance/intolerance or empathy/ Promote social tolerance/intolerance or empathy/ indifference to ethnocultural or other differenceindifference to ethnocultural or other difference

Now, media interaction requires higher and higher Now, media interaction requires higher and higher access to money for the technology and literacy: creating access to money for the technology and literacy: creating a wider digital divide: a middle class gated community?a wider digital divide: a middle class gated community?

The sociology of community is white, middle class and The sociology of community is white, middle class and gatedgated

Several core dichotomies ( or Several core dichotomies ( or myths)myths)

Citizen versus consumerCitizen versus consumer Market versus stateMarket versus state Regulation versus deregulationRegulation versus deregulation Censorship versus freedom of expressionCensorship versus freedom of expression Liberal versus reform responsibility Liberal versus reform responsibility Democracy versus PropagandaDemocracy versus Propaganda

Citizen versus ConsumerCitizen versus Consumer The audience is the commodity in commercial media: access to The audience is the commodity in commercial media: access to

them is bought and sold to advertisersthem is bought and sold to advertisers Their individual purchase/protest/switch off power is limitedTheir individual purchase/protest/switch off power is limited

Consumer can veto in the marketplace ( Napster) and win partial victoryConsumer can veto in the marketplace ( Napster) and win partial victory

Teeth of the self-regulatory bodies are weakTeeth of the self-regulatory bodies are weak Consumer Sovereignty not all that is supposedConsumer Sovereignty not all that is supposed As citizens, they control the lawmakersAs citizens, they control the lawmakers Are shareholders in the CBC: their only non commercial ( and Are shareholders in the CBC: their only non commercial ( and

largest news source outside of Canada and in Canada)largest news source outside of Canada and in Canada) Can complain/mobilize against offensive mediaCan complain/mobilize against offensive media

BUT fewer than 10% do so( MediaWatch Survey): most just think they BUT fewer than 10% do so( MediaWatch Survey): most just think they can turn off/ not turn to an alternative/or formulate community standardscan turn off/ not turn to an alternative/or formulate community standards

Can argue for ownership laws: is a social movement arising in the US?Can argue for ownership laws: is a social movement arising in the US?

Citizen versus ConsumerCitizen versus Consumer

CITIZENSCITIZENS See a right to communicate See a right to communicate

is centralis central Maximize collective public Maximize collective public

goodsgoods Concerned about digital Concerned about digital

divide and growing gap rich divide and growing gap rich and poorand poor

Focus on public interest, Focus on public interest, social responsibility viewssocial responsibility views

Positive rightsPositive rights

CONSUMERSCONSUMERS See freedom of choiceSee freedom of choice

Maximize individual wantsMaximize individual wants

See media as mostly See media as mostly entertainment, and a luxury, entertainment, and a luxury, for those who can affordfor those who can afford

Focus on right to make/spend Focus on right to make/spend money, neo-liberal viewsmoney, neo-liberal views

Negative rights onlyNegative rights only

Market versus StateMarket versus State

Fleras, Winseck, Murray all make the case that the market is a Fleras, Winseck, Murray all make the case that the market is a social institutionsocial institution

The market has its own form of economic and social censorship– The market has its own form of economic and social censorship– both direct and indirectboth direct and indirect

The market is structured by State The market is structured by State There is rarely a period of complete absence of economic regulation There is rarely a period of complete absence of economic regulation

in the media ( usually chaos at first introduction of a new medium in the media ( usually chaos at first introduction of a new medium eg. Radio is ended by the industry’s request for regulation)eg. Radio is ended by the industry’s request for regulation)

With concentration of ownership, there is a concern over fair With concentration of ownership, there is a concern over fair competition, adequate diversity of expressioncompetition, adequate diversity of expression

State has been less likely to intervene in some media: with State has been less likely to intervene in some media: with globalization it is increasingly hard to intervene against the Multi globalization it is increasingly hard to intervene against the Multi NationalsNationals

Regulation versus DeregulationRegulation versus Deregulation There are many forms of regulation to promote Canadian cultural There are many forms of regulation to promote Canadian cultural

industries in the face of US’s comparative advantage in cultural industries in the face of US’s comparative advantage in cultural productionproduction

Fleras argues that there are many tools ( can con quota, Fleras argues that there are many tools ( can con quota, simultaneous substitution rule, income tax breaks, intellectual simultaneous substitution rule, income tax breaks, intellectual property law) in film and TV and entertainmentproperty law) in film and TV and entertainment

Canada faces unique economic challenges in globalization due to Canada faces unique economic challenges in globalization due to the nature of the cultural commodity, and needs to negotiate the the nature of the cultural commodity, and needs to negotiate the freedom to invent its cultural policy in its own image with a cultural freedom to invent its cultural policy in its own image with a cultural accordaccord

Regulation is needed by smaller markets, to offset competitive Regulation is needed by smaller markets, to offset competitive disadvantagedisadvantage

Even when there is so called “deregulation”– that is no direct state Even when there is so called “deregulation”– that is no direct state intervention-- there is indirect social regulation: the control of public intervention-- there is indirect social regulation: the control of public outrage or public controversyoutrage or public controversy

Regulation versus DeregulationRegulation versus Deregulation

RegulationRegulation Typical of electronic mediaTypical of electronic media Treat communication as a Treat communication as a

scarce resourcescarce resource Enact legislation ( eg. Enact legislation ( eg.

Broadcasting Act)Broadcasting Act) Regulate: entry, terms of Regulate: entry, terms of

service, standards of service, standards of serviceservice

Eg. Canadian content Eg. Canadian content quota, simultaneous quota, simultaneous substitution rule, tax lawssubstitution rule, tax laws

To preserve a Canadian To preserve a Canadian choicechoice

DeregulationDeregulation Typical of print and new Typical of print and new

media ( irony: computers)media ( irony: computers) Treat communication as Treat communication as

service best provided by service best provided by competitors at marketcompetitors at market

Resist legislationResist legislation Allow some forms of self-Allow some forms of self-

regulation ( anti spam etc)regulation ( anti spam etc) Now refers to removal of Now refers to removal of

ownership or other content ownership or other content provisionsprovisions

To preserve free trade and To preserve free trade and open marketsopen markets

Censorship versus Freedom of Censorship versus Freedom of ExpressionExpression

There is no absolute right to freedom of expression in There is no absolute right to freedom of expression in the Canadian constitutionthe Canadian constitution

There are unique protections for minority expression, the There are unique protections for minority expression, the consideration of when, in certain cases, social good may consideration of when, in certain cases, social good may outweigh individual or corporate freedom of expressionoutweigh individual or corporate freedom of expression

Canada has some of the most progressive standards in Canada has some of the most progressive standards in the world ( Gendersetting, Violence in Media etc)the world ( Gendersetting, Violence in Media etc)

But every case is different: there is a superordinate But every case is different: there is a superordinate freedom of expression, and some communities value it freedom of expression, and some communities value it more highly than others: but citizens must be aware of more highly than others: but citizens must be aware of how to influence community standards in its how to influence community standards in its interpretation and what are the main tests for evaluating interpretation and what are the main tests for evaluating media contentsmedia contents

Censorship Versus Freedom of Censorship Versus Freedom of ExpressionExpression

CensorshipCensorship May override basic freedoms May override basic freedoms

when limits are ‘reasonable’, when limits are ‘reasonable’, ‘democratic’( that is, ‘democratic’( that is, prescribed by law) and prescribed by law) and demonstrably justified in a demonstrably justified in a free, democratic and free, democratic and multicultural societymulticultural society

Censorship is social control by Censorship is social control by the majority, necessary and the majority, necessary and normalnormal

Censorship may be enacted to Censorship may be enacted to protect the minority from the protect the minority from the majority( hate)majority( hate)

Censorship can have effect: Censorship can have effect: that is, reduce risk or change that is, reduce risk or change behaviorbehavior

Freedom of ExpressionFreedom of Expression Fundamental to the individual, Fundamental to the individual,

includes the mediaincludes the media Should therefore be absoluteShould therefore be absolute Censorship is by an Censorship is by an

elite/control oriented and often elite/control oriented and often misdirected at symptom, not misdirected at symptom, not underlying cause of social underlying cause of social problemsproblems

Censorship is ineffective in Censorship is ineffective in changing behavior: thwarts changing behavior: thwarts rather than advances rather than advances democracy by hiding the democracy by hiding the unpleasant or drawing more unpleasant or drawing more attention to itattention to it

( see page 96: Fleras)( see page 96: Fleras)

Liberal versus Reform responsibilityLiberal versus Reform responsibility

What has been a pendulum in favour of privatization, What has been a pendulum in favour of privatization, commercialization and a neo liberal view of the media has swung commercialization and a neo liberal view of the media has swung abruptly backabruptly back

Even very free market states like the US are involved in huge Even very free market states like the US are involved in huge military and security interventionsmilitary and security interventions

Most countries in the world, with the exception of the US ( and some Most countries in the world, with the exception of the US ( and some other regimes) consider the media a public good and subject to other regimes) consider the media a public good and subject to responsibilitiesresponsibilities Even in the US, a constant struggle between reformers and pro Even in the US, a constant struggle between reformers and pro

marketers, with latter in the bare minoritymarketers, with latter in the bare minority But what we have now is a mixed economy: neo liberal versus But what we have now is a mixed economy: neo liberal versus

social responsibility views intermingle for the various mediasocial responsibility views intermingle for the various media With convergence: will there be a race to the bottom? Progressive With convergence: will there be a race to the bottom? Progressive

liberalization? What hope for poor countries?liberalization? What hope for poor countries?

Neo Liberal ( or neo-classical) Neo Liberal ( or neo-classical) IdeologyIdeology

Looks at cultural products like any otherLooks at cultural products like any other Restricts role of State in regulationRestricts role of State in regulation Sees only a negative role for the state: Sees only a negative role for the state:

preventing market abusepreventing market abuse Looks at maximization of individual self- interest Looks at maximization of individual self- interest

as the most liberating communication forceas the most liberating communication force Advancing aggressive platform for free trade Advancing aggressive platform for free trade

globallyglobally Pushing for domestic deregulationPushing for domestic deregulation

Reform Liberal IdeologyReform Liberal Ideology Treats culture as a public good not like a private Treats culture as a public good not like a private

oneone Expands role of State in regulationExpands role of State in regulation Sees State as providing positive rights: capacities Sees State as providing positive rights: capacities

for citizens to engage culturallyfor citizens to engage culturally Looks at maximization of the public/citizen’s Looks at maximization of the public/citizen’s

interestsinterests Looking for protections in the push to global trade( Looking for protections in the push to global trade(

a special covenant internationally on cultural a special covenant internationally on cultural standards)standards)

Pushing for reregulation: smaller business/creator Pushing for reregulation: smaller business/creator entry, restraint of dominant playersentry, restraint of dominant players

Reform Liberal IdeologyReform Liberal Ideology A A public goodpublic good problem of cultural products is problem of cultural products is

recognizedrecognized Metaphor is not a commodity but a (natural) resource: Metaphor is not a commodity but a (natural) resource:

like air or water: scarce, but renewable, and common like air or water: scarce, but renewable, and common propertyproperty

Cultural/Information/Media Products are more important Cultural/Information/Media Products are more important than other products: they are either renewable( artistic than other products: they are either renewable( artistic creation) or non-renewable( the Buddhist statues ruined creation) or non-renewable( the Buddhist statues ruined by Taliban)by Taliban) The public good arguments:The public good arguments:

( liberal humanist goal of ideal citizenry/continuity of a ( liberal humanist goal of ideal citizenry/continuity of a society/political integrity/ creativity of expression/)society/political integrity/ creativity of expression/)

(nation-building) a sense of belonging(nation-building) a sense of belonging ( multi-culturalism) a protection of minorities( multi-culturalism) a protection of minorities

Democracy Versus PropagandaDemocracy Versus Propaganda

Historically, State’s have used propaganda against their enemies in Historically, State’s have used propaganda against their enemies in war, and certain techniques on their own troops/citizens to mobilize war, and certain techniques on their own troops/citizens to mobilize in a ‘just’, democratically constituted warin a ‘just’, democratically constituted war

Traditional propaganda during war has now expanded into ‘war on Traditional propaganda during war has now expanded into ‘war on terrorism’ with no clear time horizon or clear enemyterrorism’ with no clear time horizon or clear enemy

Democratic regimes now use political marketing, techniques of Democratic regimes now use political marketing, techniques of persuasion widelypersuasion widely Sole protections: Ethics Commissioner, Access to Information Acts, Sole protections: Ethics Commissioner, Access to Information Acts,

vigilant public press and vigilant publicvigilant public press and vigilant public Various Homeland Security Acts/ covenants on Terrorism pose a Various Homeland Security Acts/ covenants on Terrorism pose a

real threat to press freedoms and public’s rights to privacy and to real threat to press freedoms and public’s rights to privacy and to know…especially raise the issue of racial profiling, new forms of know…especially raise the issue of racial profiling, new forms of State oppressionState oppression

( See Fleras, pp. 53-57)( See Fleras, pp. 53-57)

Media in a Time of CrisisMedia in a Time of Crisis

Aftermath of 9-11 proves civil liberties are Aftermath of 9-11 proves civil liberties are vulnerablevulnerable

State control of military intelligence State control of military intelligence information is now very tightinformation is now very tight

Press not able to find out: about interned Press not able to find out: about interned prisoners ( importance of Arar case)prisoners ( importance of Arar case)

Canada not able to challenge US military Canada not able to challenge US military intelligence or find out about detained intelligence or find out about detained citizenscitizens

Crisis Cont’dCrisis Cont’d

US now threatening video surveillance cameras US now threatening video surveillance cameras at the border: ‘dictating’ 3 fold increase in at the border: ‘dictating’ 3 fold increase in military expenditures ( Rumsfeld); a new military expenditures ( Rumsfeld); a new Canadian identity card; “surveillance society” of Canadian identity card; “surveillance society” of George Orwell’s 1984 that threatens spilloverGeorge Orwell’s 1984 that threatens spillover

In the US, dissent is unpatriotic, or worse, In the US, dissent is unpatriotic, or worse, terroristterrorist

A return to propaganda, racial profiling, risk of A return to propaganda, racial profiling, risk of McCarthy era in Cold War: and which press is McCarthy era in Cold War: and which press is writing about this? The story is only beginningwriting about this? The story is only beginning

The Media, Politics, The Media, Politics, Marketplace and DemocracyMarketplace and Democracy

We have been and will continue to be We have been and will continue to be involved in major global transformations of involved in major global transformations of economies, democracies, cultures and economies, democracies, cultures and societiessocieties

The best way to monitor the impact of The best way to monitor the impact of such change is through a vigorous news such change is through a vigorous news media, committed artistic community, and media, committed artistic community, and impassioned debates over ethical and impassioned debates over ethical and democratic issuesdemocratic issues

Media Reform Movements in Media Reform Movements in CanadaCanada

Social movements emerging ( Mediawatch, CRARR, Impacs, Fraser Social movements emerging ( Mediawatch, CRARR, Impacs, Fraser Institute)Institute)

Anti war,and pro privacyAnti war,and pro privacy Calls for increasing support for CBC: merging it with the press Calls for increasing support for CBC: merging it with the press

councils ( ending the individual ombudsman)councils ( ending the individual ombudsman) Increasing $ to alternative mediaIncreasing $ to alternative media Federal investigation into mainstream oligopolies: a pressure which Federal investigation into mainstream oligopolies: a pressure which

is rising now that Minister Rock wants to deregulate the restriction is rising now that Minister Rock wants to deregulate the restriction on 20% foreign ownershipon 20% foreign ownership

More teeth– and supreme court challenges—on complaints on the More teeth– and supreme court challenges—on complaints on the quality of media coverage to do with equity, or fairnessquality of media coverage to do with equity, or fairness

More studies of the content of the media: is it good or bad or whyMore studies of the content of the media: is it good or bad or why

The Public OpportunityThe Public Opportunity

Venues like the World Information Summit Venues like the World Information Summit ( sponsored by the UN)( sponsored by the UN)

The International Cultural Accord which The International Cultural Accord which calls for fair trade in Culture ( UNESCO) calls for fair trade in Culture ( UNESCO) led by Canada and supported by over 50 led by Canada and supported by over 50 countriescountries

WTO: challenging again and again the WTO: challenging again and again the economism of their world vieweconomism of their world view

Recommendations for Democratic Recommendations for Democratic CommunicationCommunication

CULTURAL DEMOCRACYCULTURAL DEMOCRACY Support public, Support public,

alternative, non-alternative, non-commercial space for the commercial space for the mediamedia

Build media literacy and Build media literacy and awarenessawareness

Monitor and critique Monitor and critique mainstream mediamainstream media

Increase the quality and Increase the quality and coordination of self-coordination of self-regulationregulation

CULTURAL CULTURAL INDUSTRIESINDUSTRIES

Protect the Freedom of Protect the Freedom of the Pressthe Press

Support private media Support private media outlets against unfair outlets against unfair competition from the UScompetition from the US

Build audiences for Build audiences for Canadian mediaCanadian media

Monitor and critique Monitor and critique alternative mediaalternative media

Remove regulation: there Remove regulation: there is sufficient competition to is sufficient competition to let the market decidelet the market decide

CMNS 130 Bottom LineCMNS 130 Bottom Line

Media Politics MatterMedia Politics Matter Citizens must be aware of the democratic Citizens must be aware of the democratic

consequences of the media worlds they consequences of the media worlds they swim inswim in

The best counsel for media tyranny is The best counsel for media tyranny is indifference: beware of the Brave New indifference: beware of the Brave New WorldWorld