What's the Media Done for YOU??!

“AP president proposes media lobby to fight government secrecy

LINDA DEUTSCH Associated Press

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Denouncing increased official secrecy, Associated Press President and CEO Tom Curley unveiled a plan Friday for a media advocacy center to lobby in Washington for open government.

"The powerful have to be watched, and we are the watchers," Curley said, "and you don't need to have your notebook snatched by a policeman to know that keeping an eye on government activities has lately gotten a lot harder."

At every level of government, records are being sealed and requests for information denied, and courts are imposing gag orders and sealing documents, Curley said, speaking in the Hays Press-Enterprise Lecture series.

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the news media remained largely silent on important issues, including secret arrests of suspects of Middle Eastern descent and closed deportation hearings, he said.

"That was an extraordinary time for the country," he said. "It's entirely understandable - and reasonable - that the press and public were willing to step back for a time and give the government room to address an unknown and frightening threat."

But Curley warned that a continued relaxation of vigilance by news organizations "could become a dangerous habit if we allow it to take hold, dangerous for us and the society in which we play such a critical role."

"The government is pushing hard for secrecy," he said. "We must push back equally hard for openness. I think it's time to consider establishment of a focused lobbying effort in Washington."

Curley acknowledged his advocacy proposal is potentially controversial.

continued...”

“It gave me Fox News!”

“Oh happy day!”

“I agree with phaedrus,;) it was indeed a happy day when Fox news went on the air.”

“the media warned me of what would happen. not in a direct way of course. The religious right is going door to door to preach that Jesus wants you to be a better citizen by getting involved in government. It says so right in this here BIBLE. I John chapter. So, this morning as I'm explaining to the two evanglicals that there is a Constitution in America, and it means to me that there should be a seperation of church and state, they stopped their advertising spool and left. So, let the majority of weak and narrow-minded americans enjoy the Fox-type news. When they wake up, it will be too late and the Darwin theory will eventually do it's work. ( I am NOT anti-christian ) But there are many religions in the world that are practiced in the US. I simply wouldn't want to go back to a European type christian war society.”

“o, let the majority of weak and narrow-minded americans enjoy the Fox-type news.

Ah, that we could go back to the days of Huntley and Brinkley.

The media gave us Suzanne Sommers, Jennifer Lopez, and Friends.”

“Glad to see the left is still the bastion of openmindededness”

“Dallas and That Darn Cat.”

“teletubbies”

“Spice Girls”

“The Anna Nicole show.”

“What Not To Wear.”

“Dennis Miller on Monday Night Football”

“Budweiser ads”

“I BEEN HYP MO TIZED ! ! !”

“Dy-no-mite!!!!!!”

“All In the Family.”

“The media gave us South Park, and isn't that really all that matters?”

“Newsweek Magazine covers around the world this week:

Hey, Europe! We get a cover story about Annie Leibovitz, neener, neener!”

“It didn't get pulled, Newbie. ”

“Good work, kleetn. And thanks. I could lnot locate it. I must lhave associated "Newsweek" as part of the title.”

“I got a coupon in my Sunday paper for $2 off a full Brazil wax at the local nail salon.”

“It provides me daily entertainment by way of the Editorials and the Comic Strip. Plus we have a real hot Reporterette who shows up at fires in rather nice outfits.”