[grc] [ADV] Fwd: About Media - the "Sixth Estate"

Fri Feb 14 13:18:24 PST 2020

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Justice Initiative <hmcgray at earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, Feb 14, 2020 at 12:01 PM
Subject: About Media - the "Sixth Estate"
To: <wings at wings.org>

A brief summary of the "sixth estate"
 JUSTICE INITIATIVE

*Again About Media: a New Paradigm *
*A brief summary of the "sixth estate"*

*Shutterstock*

* By Heather Gray <hmcgray at earthlink.net> February 14, 2020 Justice
Initiative
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(Link to article)
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*
*Preface*

I had first sent this article out in March 2016.  But have decided that,
given the contemporary on-going debates and contention about media in
America, that it is of value to send it out yet again. I have been involved
with independent media  since 1991 when I became a radio producer at
WRFG-Atlanta
(89.3FM
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-DVnh7N5JV1PjT0QYaBAr85p-qo3lN7VWAAJjEZJCZF9NxgK6nGN0JAk6_iiH-NRltu4WAy6UxR9we_bPRGEmn8GqSaVO2wM9t1b8bYduiO-ZmIryzWSfDr3DeT8ydUOMCc0vn7tsdnCklLtk0cM_7okya2Bm5o2&c=VVsj2mDEGnWT2StlcA3n1Ky3-60oqHch6yjhOJ6aeXB0RzsZLV159Q==&ch=cOIes2-HX5ZaWbtW_SiBi0L7cH8S5AszzbJLs0mSoxaktoWekhkugA==>).
This was when I began to explore altogether the role of media in America
and its various facets regarding what is, in fact, the 'voice of the
people'. I finally decided that it was time for a new paradigm.

As I refer below, I learned that media has historically been referred to as
the 'fourth estate' and it's role is to report on the other three estates -
namely the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. This
is, then, intended on being a framework of a democratic system which is to
inform the public of what its government is doing, in that the role of the
democratically elected government is supposed to serve in the interests of
the people. Yet, to repeat, the people need to be informed of its
government's activities to know whether or not its own government is, in
fact, serving the people rather than largely, for example, the interests of
corporate America and/or also to not accept everything coming out of the
Trump administration without critique and analysis.

However, as the corporate control of America, including of the media, has
become so predominant, another look at the 'fourth estate' is critical.  My
comparison here is with agriculture. Much of my professional career has
been in agriculture in the rural South, and also with the excellent work of
organic urban farmer Rashid Nuri in Atlanta that provided, for me, this
altered analysis of it all. What I eat now is primarily organically grown
food because I can trust it, in that I know it is far more healthy for me
than the chemical laden unhealthy corporate agribusiness grown 'junk' food
(that is if you want to call it food!).

As I explore this issue below, I refer to corporate controlled media (i.e.
Fox, CNN, etc.) as unhealthy junk news and as being similar to the
unhealthy 'junk' food  grown by corporate America whose interest is serving
none other than corporate America itself at the expense of of us all.

In contrast, I refer to community owned independent media in America and
throughout the world as being similar to 'organically' grown healthy food.
Its interest is in serving the people and providing informed analysis that
will assist the people in both understanding and advancing themselves and
their communities, and their lives overall in the democratic system in
which they are supposed to be living in America.

*Background on Atlanta's Community Controlled Radio*

In 1989 I was in the Philippines and was sending letters to friends in
Atlanta about my reflections and experiences while in that southeast Asian
country.

When I returned to the states, a friend of mine, Gary Washington, who
produced the Labor Forum at WRFG-FM in Atlanta, and was also a former Black
Panther member, told me, "Heather, you need to be involved at the radio
station. No one is talking about the Philippines." So I did get involved
and the rest is history as they say. I've been fortunate to produce a show
called 'Just Peace' since 1991. At first, I was thankfully working with
Beth-Ann Buitekant who had been producing "Just Peace" years prior to this
and before she left to pursue more graduate work.
Created in 1973, WRFG-Atlanta
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-DVnh7N5JV1PjT0QYaBAr85p-qo3lN7VWAAJjEZJCZF9NxgK6nGN0JAk6_iiH-NRltu4WAy6UxR9we_bPRGEmn8GqSaVO2wM9t1b8bYduiO-ZmIryzWSfDr3DeT8ydUOMCc0vn7tsdnCklLtk0cM_7okya2Bm5o2&c=VVsj2mDEGnWT2StlcA3n1Ky3-60oqHch6yjhOJ6aeXB0RzsZLV159Q==&ch=cOIes2-HX5ZaWbtW_SiBi0L7cH8S5AszzbJLs0mSoxaktoWekhkugA==>
(Radio Free Georgia) was then, and still is, Atlanta's only community radio
station. In other words, WRFG is owned by the community, is independent and
therefore not owned by and/or serving corporate interests. All of its
producers are volunteers. Here is a description of the station and its
mission:

*WRFG is a community oriented, educational, alternative medium and our
programming must reflect this. We are for those alternatives that uplift
human dignity and give people more control over their lives. *

*WRFG is opposed to those forces in our lives that dehumanize and oppress
people, especially economic exploitation, racism, sexism, militarism,
anti-immigrant chauvinism, and sexual orientation discrimination.*

But it was also a time for me to learn about media and its history. So I
did exactly that!

* Historically Media is considered  the "Fourth Estate"*

You might ask, as I did, what is the 'fourth estate' or, for that matter,
what is an 'estate'?

'Media' or 'press', I learned and to repeat, is generally referred to as
the "fourth estate". Here's the short history of the concept which has its
roots in Britain:

* The fourth estate is a term that positions the press (newspapers) as a
fourth branch of government and one that is important to a functioning
democracy. The phrase is attributed to Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797), a
British politician, as quoted in Thomas Carlyle's book, "Heros and Hero
Worship in History" (1841): Burke said that there were three Estates in
Parliament, but in the Reporters Gallery yonder, there sat a fourth Estate
more important far than they all. In Britain, the three branches (estates)
of government referenced Parliament: The House of Lords (the Lords Temporal
and the Lords Spiritual - nobles and clergy) and the House of Commons. In
modern times, the 'press' has been expanded to include all news media, not
just newspapers.  *
*....The First Amendment to the Constitution 'frees' the press but carries
with it a responsibility to be the people's watchdog".* (U.S. Politics
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-DVnh7N5JV1PjT0QYaBAr85p-qo3lN7VWAAJjEZJCZF9NxgK6nGN0NH3ZkazU_Rj_pK05SSOeWRI9OUyqXRXFxmGr4FJkTQKkFNVL_JuNCDaxOkp1cCvaRhsfSGsUZ53_ifmGPMFya2kWyBU3RW6VU7waW15eZq9-ZgMRh4wzSFFqv8z0iVtE0_N6vxGp42cAOQ7QVi4MNycY5dkWGlbmxFMPo1KAm6mB0virza5jmk=&c=VVsj2mDEGnWT2StlcA3n1Ky3-60oqHch6yjhOJ6aeXB0RzsZLV159Q==&ch=cOIes2-HX5ZaWbtW_SiBi0L7cH8S5AszzbJLs0mSoxaktoWekhkugA==>
)
In the contemporary United States I discovered that the four estates are
generally considered as follows:  (1) Executive (2) Legislative (3)
Judicial (4) Media.
Media as the fourth estate is supposed to report on the other three estates
or branches of government. It is a way, some have said, to make these
so-called democratic institutions accountable to the people in a
"functioning" democracy. But this does not necessarily mean the media
itself is accountable. Therein lies a serious problem.

It is also important to note that while I am referring primarily to
community radio in this article, independent media and corporate owned
media can be all platforms be it television (cable, etc.), newspapers,
radio, newsletters, internet, on and on.
*A new paradigm: Independent Media as the "Sixth Estate"*
I am now of the opinion, however, that in reality there are six estates.
And that 'independent media' as the real voice of the people should instead
be considered the 'sixth estate'. Here is my own reconfiguration of it all
regarding estates: (1) Corporate interests (2) Executive (3) Legislative
(4) Judicial (5) Corporate 'Major' Media (6) Independent Media.
Here's why.
I have designated 'corporate interests' as the first estate. This is
because corporate interests control virtually all of the 2nd through the
5th estates. Independent media, therefore, stands alone.

Corporate interests control and/or have significant influence and/or
ownership of  the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Most
congressional representatives and the executive branch solicit significant
corporate support for their campaigns. In many cases, the judicial branch
solicits contributions where judges are elected and/or the influence of
corporations seems paramount as is speculated with the  U.S. Supreme
Court's 'Citizens United' decision.
More on this: the 'Citizens United'
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decision by the U.S. Supreme Court was decided at the expense of democratic
principles in that it essentially handed over corporate interests to own
and control American politicians and to basically dominate and influence
all government offices and agencies more blatantly than has been the case
previously.

The fifth estate, corporate 'major' media, that represents most of the
media in America, is also, of course, corporate owned.
Regarding U.S. media, it is generally stated that there are 6 corporations
that own it and those are Time Warner, Walt Disney, Viacom, Rupert
Murdoch's News Corp, CBS Corporation and NBC Universal. The chart below
provides a sense of the change of media ownership from 1983 to 2012 - the
consolidation and therefore control of information by but a few corporate
entities was considerable. In 1983, 90% of the U.S. media was owned by 50
companies and by 2012 90% of the media was owned by 6 corporate
giants. (Exposing
Truth
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)
*Media Consolidation 1983-2012*
* Internationally, there are also other players including Bertelsmann AG
and Sony
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They own television networks, cable channels, movie studios, newspapers,
magazines, publishing houses, music labels and many successful websites
(Exposing Truth
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-DVnh7N5JV1PjT0QYaBAr85p-qo3lN7VWAAJjEZJCZF9NxgK6nGN0NH3ZkazU_RjFC6FrPTBK9kL6hp7DYYfWg4fgk1y9h0FrRX_lE1jTgUwpob12n82LxVykO-2Yc8SbmpGR4zMOf72Kidji7GiMmYBnOJBBoaY2CRo-d6VVzTSukxbeecqlVZNyEsQuScg87oQPPwVyMscUSjeqSecJymXZB-uARMzGUovxEFp2_l-1yJ1FmEr1A==&c=VVsj2mDEGnWT2StlcA3n1Ky3-60oqHch6yjhOJ6aeXB0RzsZLV159Q==&ch=cOIes2-HX5ZaWbtW_SiBi0L7cH8S5AszzbJLs0mSoxaktoWekhkugA==>)
Corporate Media versus Independent Media, the origins of Independent Media
and the 'sixth estate' *
The credit for the creation of independent media and/or community radio
goes to Lewis (Lew) Hill. In the 1940's, Lew Hill was a pacifist during
WWII. This was not a popular stance at the time. He had been working in
Washington, D.C. as a scriptwriter and announcer for an NBC radio network
known as 'Blue Network' - WINX.
Lew Hill became frustrated that as a radio announcer he was presenting
information to the public that was not credible - rather like telling lies
over the airways that primarily served the interests of the corporate
owners of the media. He realized that as an announcer he was being
manipulated and was not allowed to present his own views. He decided he had
enough of this and resigned. (The Lengthening Shadow
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-DVnh7N5JV1PjT0QYaBAr85p-qo3lN7VWAAJjEZJCZF9NxgK6nGN0NH3ZkazU_RjHyySUl2H4ZvFRz09TeFRv5PaqdxZkwjjyZ1_KcJzYayR5gQ4Dd5tKUawOVx72VgrQEISR-xNm458I98yjAlWRwI1Yc8LACcPY1RWlwm51bkmpblEqagPHFgDUUsJWeOw73e_LoxJ6VYPfqOLgmvm-A==&c=VVsj2mDEGnWT2StlcA3n1Ky3-60oqHch6yjhOJ6aeXB0RzsZLV159Q==&ch=cOIes2-HX5ZaWbtW_SiBi0L7cH8S5AszzbJLs0mSoxaktoWekhkugA==>
)
Hill ended up in California in the 1940's and by 1949, thanks to him, the
first independent community radio station - Pacifica - was on the air.
*This was a time when the idea of a listener-sponsored radio station was a
new one which had never been implemented. Many people doubted the viability
of a broadcast model which didn't rely on some kind of corporate or
government funding. But the idea was too compelling for Hill and others who
agreed with him. Pacifica was born and in 1949 KPFA went on the air from
Berkeley, California. (Pacifica
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-DVnh7N5JV1PjT0QYaBAr85p-qo3lN7VWAAJjEZJCZF9NxgK6nGN0NH3ZkazU_RjHFJtRqwNpli7bUyxhiyTuMmQnlhuaT38y4alboTh40cjBBb10Bus3-XXJroqtl8vhwFKcuCeuSDjt3cnxTbDGAWilnvCh0YFkZNsqEGdhhTEwBG6bZ6-owAysB8myqJH&c=VVsj2mDEGnWT2StlcA3n1Ky3-60oqHch6yjhOJ6aeXB0RzsZLV159Q==&ch=cOIes2-HX5ZaWbtW_SiBi0L7cH8S5AszzbJLs0mSoxaktoWekhkugA==>)
*
In 1949, then, the independent 'community' media model had been launched.
It was what I am now referring to as the "sixth estate" which is supported
and funded by the people, and therefore by the community and serves the
people, minus corporate control.

*Non-Corporate Community Radio Board Representation **and Programming*
What is also critical about community radio is that its board of directors
are  selected and elected by the local community board representatives and
not appointed by any outside entity or corporate interests which makes the
community radio stations all the more democratic and community based.
This community based board representation is essential as the programming
determinations selected by the board and community volunteers should be
owned and controlled by the local community to, then, appropriately reflect
the concerns of the community.
Throughout the world, this independent community radio model has now spread
significantly with producers expressing their concerns/interests and
providing opportunities for the voices of the community to be heard. It is
powerful. Its role should also be to report on the first five branches
including, of course, corporate major media and many independent media
entities do precisely that.

As mentioned, independent media, however, is more like healthy organic
food. It offers a healthy variety of reliable news and information that is
community based and in which you can have a say along with the
opportunities to learn about the other estates. It gives you more control,
knowledge and opportunities for change and enhancement of collective
democratic systems. Essentially, independent community owned media can be
and usually is empowering for communities and individuals.
*Summary*

WRFG-Atlanta is one of the thousands of independent community radio
entities throughout the world that is the independent voice of the people.
It was first on the air in Atlanta in 1973 and ultimately was a Pacifica
affiliate as well - meaning that it broadcasts some of the Pacifica
programs. I am eternally thankful to Gary Washington for introducing me to
it all.

We at WRFG, therefore, along with other independent media entities, are
proudly the 'sixth estate' providing a voice for and with the people in
Atlanta, the South, the nation and the world.

*HEATHER GRAY is the producer of 'Just Peace' on WRFG-Atlanta 89.3 FM
covering local, regional, national and international news.*

# # #

Gray & Associates, PO Box 8219, Atlanta, GA 31106
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