[grc] Questions about network radio and disinformation

riva enteen rivaenteen at gmail.com
Wed Oct 20 11:46:05 PDT 2021 

"To be clear: there is no question that COVID-19 vaccines are safe,
effective, and an important tool in protecting people from severe disease
and death."

Yes, I disagree with that statement.  Glenn Greenwald got vaccinated, but
is still asking questions.  We need to ask questions.
I don't understand how GRC is comfortable with anybody being arbiters of
the truth, given Ann's comment, and much evidence as to the danger of such
censorship.


On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 11:22 AM Tracy Rosenberg <tracy at media-alliance.org>
wrote:

> I don't have the time to continue to engage, but these argument strategies
> are what-a-bout-ism that is not responsive to the original poster and her
> query and I don't think GRC should operate like that if it wants to be a
> useful list-serv.
>
> Ann, the BAR interview we did about aeriel surveillance traveled so far
> that I literally got a call from Persistent Surveillance Systems all across
> the country. Algorithmic warning labels have all kinds of issues, but Katie
> is talking about radio broadcasters, not about BAR articles on the web. If
> I type in my name and persistent surveillance systems to Google right now,
> it is the fourth return from Google which seems reasonable enough to me.
> See attached.
>
> Riva, the autism misinformation put out by a source is absolutely relevant
> to whether or not they are a source of misinformation. The second article
> you posted is not written by Glenn Greenwald, but by Jeremy Beckham. It's
> premise is that charges that the COVID epidemic is being prolonged by white
> Trumpies low vaccination level leaves out the lower vaccination levels in
> some communities of color. and is partially a partisan narrative. That is a
> completely different argument and in fact completely opposed to the article
> to that you posted 5 mins ago from RFK's nonprofit. Bentham says ""To be
> clear: there is no question that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and
> an important tool in protecting people from severe disease and death."
> Bentham's article is not disinformation, although I think it severely
> underestimates the impact of talk radio on Latino communities, many of whom
> are ardent listeners to Christian radio stations of the kind Katie is
> interested in. Black communities have a different set of factors in play,
> imo.
>
> But posting the two articles side by side is completely incoherent. They
> have literally nothing to do with each other.
>
> The policy on a list-serv should be to help the original poster if you
> can, and if you can't, ignore the post. It's not useful to start arguments
> on list-servs that go to large groups of people.
>
> - Tracy
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 11:02 AM Ann Garrison via grc <
> grc at maillist.peak.org> wrote:
>
>> I read Katie's entire message and it did not trigger "an aggressive
>> response." I am not defending any religiously fanatical outlets.
>>
>> However, the "misinformation" label is highly politicized and again,
>> absolute truth that does not exist is often asserted.   I think any
>> discussion of media misinforming the public should take note of this.
>>
>> I'm a weekly contributor to Black Agenda Report, where I have published a
>> number of interviews with Tracy about surveillance issues, but when
>> Twitter
>> users click on my BAR posts there, they will sometimes get a message
>> warning them that the content might be misinformation. BAR was on the
>> "Prop
>> or Not" list that the Washington Post published without attribution and
>> Google has pretty well buried it since.
>>
>> On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 10:49 AM riva enteen via grc <
>> grc at maillist.peak.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > First year nursing students are taught that natural immunity is better
>> than
>> > any vaccine.
>> >
>> > Tracy, give me a cite.  You can't just throw out the word
>> "disinformation."
>> >
>> > On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 10:44 AM Tracy Rosenberg <
>> tracy at media-alliance.org
>> > >
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > > Yes, it is disinformation, Riva.
>> > >
>> > > The price of "natural immunity" is death for the elderly and
>> vulnerable.
>> > > That is not and has never been morally okay.
>> > >
>> > > On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 10:39 AM riva enteen via grc <
>> > > grc at maillist.peak.org> wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> Tracy, nothing sounded aggressive to me.
>> > >>
>> > >> Is this misinformation?
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> >
>> https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/research-natural-immunity-covid-brownstone-institute/?utm_source=salsa&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=5aeeba93-2b92-49f5-8856-83ae2da8f359
>> > >>
>> > >> On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 10:32 AM Tracy Rosenberg via grc <
>> > >> grc at maillist.peak.org> wrote:
>> > >>
>> > >> > These aggressive reactions towards Katie seem inappropriate to me.
>> > Maybe
>> > >> > best to read her full message before issuing triggered responses.
>> > There
>> > >> is
>> > >> > a problem with Covid disinformation and in addition to causing the
>> > >> > unnecessary loss of lives, it has extended the pandemic period
>> > causing a
>> > >> > great deal of dislocation and stress. It's perfectly valid to look
>> > into
>> > >> > that and how people are trying to fight back against it.
>> > >> >
>> > >> > She stated her areas of interest: "There are a few networks about
>> > which
>> > >> I'm
>> > >> > particularly curious. Do you have any stations in your
>> town/city/area
>> > >> that
>> > >> > are run by Salem Media Network? Alternatively, are any stations in
>> > your
>> > >> > town/city/area run by the Bott Radio Network, CSN (Christian
>> Satellite
>> > >> > Network or American Family Radio?"
>> > >> >
>> > >> > These are rightwing Christian stations that for a long time have
>> > >> gobbled up
>> > >> > radio licenses and kept them away from community broadcasters like
>> > >> those on
>> > >> > this list.
>> > >> >
>> > >> > There is no particular reason to aggressively defend them. They
>> are a
>> > >> > source of much misinformation and hatred toward those that do not
>> fit
>> > >> into
>> > >> > their narrow definitions of normality.
>> > >> >
>> > >> > - Tracy
>> > >> >
>> > >> > On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 10:13 AM Ann Garrison via grc <
>> > >> > grc at maillist.peak.org>
>> > >> > wrote:
>> > >> >
>> > >> > > I hope you'll consider the fact that the truth is often elusive,
>> > >> > chameleon,
>> > >> > > and highly politicized. The words "denial" or "denialism" are
>> often
>> > >> used
>> > >> > to
>> > >> > > impose absolute truths that don't exist.
>> > >> > >
>> > >> > > On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 9:07 AM Katie Thornton via grc <
>> > >> > > grc at maillist.peak.org> wrote:
>> > >> > >
>> > >> > > > *Hi GRC folks! *
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > My name is Katie Thornton, and I'm a
>> > >> > > > longtime-community-radio-person-turned-independent-reporter
>> out of
>> > >> > > > Minneapolis. (Recent work has been run on/in the BBC, 99%
>> > Invisible,
>> > >> > > > Washington Post, Minnesota Public Radio, NPR, WNYC, National
>> > >> > Geographic,
>> > >> > > > Atlas Obscura, KFAI, etc.). I started volunteering at KFAI in
>> my
>> > >> home
>> > >> > > city
>> > >> > > > of Minneapolis as a teenager, interned at Prometheus back in
>> 2013
>> > >> > (during
>> > >> > > > the LPFM window!), and went on to work at and with multiple
>> > >> different
>> > >> > > > community, college, and LPFM stations (and had the joy of
>> > attending
>> > >> at
>> > >> > > > least one GRC!) before transitioning over to freelance
>> journalism
>> > >> and
>> > >> > > > writing work.
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > I'm posting here because I'm currently working on a
>> > >> part-investigative,
>> > >> > > > part-narrative mini-series about disinformation on network
>> > >> terrestrial
>> > >> > > > radio. The series seeks to uncover how the profitability of
>> > >> > > disinformation
>> > >> > > > and ideological motivations -- paired with the FCC’s ongoing
>> > >> > deregulation
>> > >> > > > of the airwaves’ content and ownership -- have made the radio
>> dial
>> > >> > > fertile
>> > >> > > > ground for the spread of disinformation. To do this, the series
>> > will
>> > >> > look
>> > >> > > > at examples of how these large-scale issues play out for
>> > >> individuals;
>> > >> > it
>> > >> > > > will share the intersecting personal stories of Americans on
>> all
>> > >> sides
>> > >> > of
>> > >> > > > the radio dial: a citizen (or group of citizens!) trying to
>> stop
>> > the
>> > >> > > spread
>> > >> > > > of on-air conspiracies, executives and hosts from a large
>> national
>> > >> > radio
>> > >> > > > network rife with disinformation, and listeners who consume and
>> > are
>> > >> > > > occasionally driven to action by untruths heard over the
>> airwaves.
>> > >> I've
>> > >> > > > been fortunate enough to get some support from an organization
>> > that
>> > >> > helps
>> > >> > > > independent investigative journalists, as well as an NPR
>> affiliate
>> > >> > > station
>> > >> > > > who will ultimately distribute the series.
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > I've been incredibly grateful that folks have been eager to
>> share
>> > >> their
>> > >> > > > experiences and expertise with me thus far. However, I know
>> that
>> > >> there
>> > >> > > are
>> > >> > > > many people doing work in this field, directly or indirectly,
>> with
>> > >> > whom I
>> > >> > > > have not yet been in touch. Given that LPFMs and NCEs have
>> been a
>> > >> major
>> > >> > > way
>> > >> > > > that communities have been able to retain a degree of local
>> > control
>> > >> > over
>> > >> > > > media as more and more of us lose local outlets, I wanted to
>> turn
>> > to
>> > >> > you
>> > >> > > > all with some questions. If you know of anyone who might be
>> able
>> > to
>> > >> > shed
>> > >> > > > some light on some of these questions -- or if you personally
>> > would
>> > >> > like
>> > >> > > to
>> > >> > > > talk more -- I would love to speak with you. I'd love to hear
>> from
>> > >> > folks
>> > >> > > in
>> > >> > > > cities, small towns, or rural areas; however, given the
>> prominence
>> > >> of
>> > >> > > > network stations in non-coastal regions and smaller markets (as
>> > >> well as
>> > >> > > my
>> > >> > > > own experience as a lifelong Midwesterner), I am especially
>> hoping
>> > >> to
>> > >> > > hear
>> > >> > > > from folks in middle America and areas outside of major coastal
>> > >> cities.
>> > >> > > > Here are some of the questions I am hoping to hear from folks
>> > about
>> > >> > right
>> > >> > > > now:
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > >    - Do you hear information you know to be false on the
>> airwaves
>> > >> > > >    (especially on network stations)? Specifically, have you
>> heard
>> > >> > > >    disinformation about COVID-19 spread on the airwaves? How
>> has
>> > >> talk
>> > >> > > radio
>> > >> > > >    influenced people's response to COVID where you live?
>> > >> > > >    - Have you heard speech that you would describe as hate
>> speech
>> > >> over
>> > >> > > the
>> > >> > > >    airwaves?
>> > >> > > >    - Do you know of anyone (individuals or groups) -- or have
>> you
>> > >> > > >    personally -- been trying to fight disinformation or hate
>> > speech
>> > >> you
>> > >> > > > hear
>> > >> > > >    on the airwaves? How have you/they gone about this? Have
>> > you/they
>> > >> > had
>> > >> > > > any
>> > >> > > >    luck? For example, I recently spoke with someone in Montana
>> who
>> > >> has
>> > >> > > been
>> > >> > > >    personally petitioning the FCC to try to stop the spread of
>> > >> > > >    disinformation on the airwaves. But I have a feeling she is
>> not
>> > >> the
>> > >> > > only
>> > >> > > >    one out there.
>> > >> > > >    - Is your radio station doing any explicit work to combat
>> the
>> > >> > > >    disinformation that may spread on other radio stations?
>> > >> > > >    - Has anyone in your life been driven to extreme ideological
>> > >> beliefs
>> > >> > > >    and/or action thanks to the influence of talk radio?
>> > >> > > >    - There are a few networks about which I'm particularly
>> > curious.
>> > >> Do
>> > >> > > you
>> > >> > > >    have any stations in your town/city/area that are run by
>> Salem
>> > >> Media
>> > >> > > >    Network? Alternatively, are any stations in your
>> town/city/area
>> > >> run
>> > >> > by
>> > >> > > > the
>> > >> > > >    Bott Radio Network, CSN (Christian Satellite Network), or
>> > >> American
>> > >> > > > Family
>> > >> > > >    Radio?
>> > >> > > >    - Has your community had a locally-run station bought out
>> and
>> > >> > replaced
>> > >> > > >    by a station run by a large media network (such as one of
>> those
>> > >> > listed
>> > >> > > >    above)? If so, I'd love to ask you more about that change.
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > Thank you all so much. I'm really looking forward to hearing
>> from
>> > >> you.
>> > >> > > > Please feel free to send me an email if you'd like to talk
>> further
>> > >> --
>> > >> > or
>> > >> > > if
>> > >> > > > you'd like to ask me any questions about the project, my
>> > background,
>> > >> > etc.
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > Thank you all again. I'm looking forward to talking. Take good
>> > care,
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > Katie
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > *Katie Thornton*
>> > >> > > > *Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellow*
>> > >> > > > *www.itskatiethornton.com* <http://www.itskatiethornton.com>
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > > > *IG: @itskatiethornton <
>> > https://www.instagram.com/itskatiethornton/
>> > >> >*
>> > >> > > > _______________________________________________
>> > >> > > > grc mailing list
>> > >> > > > grc at maillist.peak.org
>> > >> > > > http://maillist.peak.org/mailman/listinfo/grc
>> > >> > > >
>> > >> > >
>> > >> > >
>> > >> > > --
>> > >> > > Sincerely,
>> > >> > > @AnnGarrison <https://twitter.com/AnnGarrison?lang=en>
>> > >> > > Independent Journalist,
>> > >> > > SKYPE: Ann Garrison, Oakland
>> > >> > > 415-503-7487
>> > >> > > _______________________________________________
>> > >> > > grc mailing list
>> > >> > > grc at maillist.peak.org
>> > >> > > http://maillist.peak.org/mailman/listinfo/grc
>> > >> > >
>> > >> >
>> > >> >
>> > >> > --
>> > >> > Tracy Rosenberg
>> > >> > Executive Director
>> > >> > Media Alliance
>> > >> > 2830 20th Street Suite 201
>> > >> > San Francisco, CA 94110
>> > >> > www.media-alliance.org
>> > >> > 415-746-9475
>> > >> > 510-684-6853 Cell
>> > >> > Encrypted email at tracy.rosenberg at protonmail.com
>> > >> > Text via Signal
>> > >> > Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
>> > >> >
>> > >> > -
>> > >> > _______________________________________________
>> > >> > grc mailing list
>> > >> > grc at maillist.peak.org
>> > >> > http://maillist.peak.org/mailman/listinfo/grc
>> > >> >
>> > >> _______________________________________________
>> > >> grc mailing list
>> > >> grc at maillist.peak.org
>> > >> http://maillist.peak.org/mailman/listinfo/grc
>> > >>
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > Tracy Rosenberg
>> > > Executive Director
>> > > Media Alliance
>> > > 2830 20th Street Suite 201
>> > > San Francisco, CA 94110
>> > > www.media-alliance.org
>> > > 415-746-9475
>> > > 510-684-6853 Cell
>> > > Encrypted email at tracy.rosenberg at protonmail.com
>> > > Text via Signal
>> > > Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
>> > >
>> > > -
>> > >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > grc mailing list
>> > grc at maillist.peak.org
>> > http://maillist.peak.org/mailman/listinfo/grc
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sincerely,
>> @AnnGarrison <https://twitter.com/AnnGarrison?lang=en>
>> Independent Journalist,
>> SKYPE: Ann Garrison, Oakland
>> 415-503-7487
>> _______________________________________________
>> grc mailing list
>> grc at maillist.peak.org
>> http://maillist.peak.org/mailman/listinfo/grc
>>
>
>
> --
> Tracy Rosenberg
> Executive Director
> Media Alliance
> 2830 20th Street Suite 201
> San Francisco, CA 94110
> www.media-alliance.org
> 415-746-9475
> 510-684-6853 Cell
> Encrypted email at tracy.rosenberg at protonmail.com
> Text via Signal
> Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
>
> -
>

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