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MEDIA ADVISORY, May 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is submitted by Robert Peters, President of Morality in Media
Dear Friends,
I have known Brad Curl for many years, and I know that the subject matter of his
new book, "No Free Press," has been on his heart for a long time.
When a corporate giant peddles highly sexualized entertainment
on its TV channels or programs, can we expect the giant's news "arm" to fully
report on the growing evidence indicating that such entertainment contributes to
teen promiscuity?
Sincerely,
Robert Peters
President of Morality in Media
'No Free Press'
By: Brad Curl
(Who's going to cover those who criticize the press)?
The purpose of this book is to show or help us see how the "free press" in
America is not so free. The TV news industry which is the source of most of the
average American's news is not independent or unbiased. It is owned by huge
entertainment and communication conglomerates like AOL/Time-Warner, Disney,
General Electric, Hearst, Viacom, Gannett, and Fox. When we talk about the
press, it means something very different today than it meant years ago when the
newspapers and later the TV networks were not so big and did not include so many
businesses. AOL/Time Warner alone has over 300 companies under its masthead
(itemized list included in the book).
Interlaced Interests
It's a world where demographics, huge mailing lists, target marketing, and a
whole host of intermingling relationships that affect our culture are played
out. My experience trying to improve the media environments for children and to
stem the avalanche of pornography caused me to get a picture of how the press is
often compromised and controlled by interests that seem like they should not be
commingled. But we do live in a free society and competition comes into play. If
the media isn't covering something in a proper way there will often be a
reaction. Since we live in the age of computers and the Internet it is possible
to build and focus public opinion on an issue without the established press if
you have the stamina and the funds to do it.
Since 84% of the American public considers themselves Christian and 40% of them
attend church regularly, I assume the majority of people who read this book will
be Christians. However, I also have many Muslim and Jewish friends who are
deeply concerned about these issues degrading our children, our marriages, our
neighborliness, our community spirit, and our self-esteem. Quite frankly, I
don't think there will be enough courage and endurance to deal properly with
these issues unless the church acts and people get on their knees and pray.
I also wonder if we shouldn't be doing a better job of challenging local and
national news anchors and news departments to be brave and take on the issue of
conflicting interests in their own industry. News editors and reporters must
step up to the plate and give coverage to those who are concerned about the fact
that the news is progressively being bought out by the entertainment industry.
Some Topics in the book
- Who's going to cover those who criticize the Press?
- When corporate "fat cats" own the Press, who will call the "fat cats" to account?
- What happens when the media becomes an abusive establishment?
- Successes by citizens who want to know how to hold the press accountable.
- Educational behind the scenes accounts.
- Includes a list of 800 media companies owned by a few.
bradcurl@aol.com