No Free Press

No Free Press

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

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