Jodie Stoughton's blog

When will the REAL reform start happening?

Jodie Stoughton — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:51:59 +0000

I'll leave this conference with feelings of hope and helplessness. My hope comes from the fact that this conference is even happening. That people are spending time and money to connect with each other and figure out what the hell has happened in this county. The media is supposed to represent what's happening in this country. And it doesn't. It represents what sells. And therein lies my feelings of helplessness. If people didn't buy the crap, it'd stop selling. Right?

When I was in college, I went to a "student radio initiative" meeting. I realized once I got there that these meetings had been going on for years. And it was still just an initiative. I was at the first Conference on Media Reform and here I am again, years later. The sessions are different and there has been success. But ultimately. We're still fighting the same battle.

At the heart of this problem is DEPENDENCE. This was echoed several times during the conference and it's stuck with me. Until we (Yep. I'm using the "royal we" here.) break from our dependence, nothing will change. This doesn't just apply to our problems with the media. It's our problems with oil, the way we eat...the list goes on. We have created the very monster we sit around and bitch about. And a lot of us are living double standards because we've created a society where we must use the very things we're struggling to change.

I get pissed about the price of gas as I fill up my car again. I get pissed about the lazy media as I watch MSNBC. I complain about the obesity crisis in this county as I sit in line at the drive-through.

What I'm trying to say here is that we ALL must change. 3000 people at a powerful conference in Minneapolis isn't going to do it. Yeah. It's a ripple in the ocean. But it's going to require those ripples to reach out and grab everyone before we're sucked completely down the drain.

Until there is a fundamental shift in attitude and behavior in this county, all the conferences on media reform in the world aren't really going to do a thing. We'll be having these same conferences for years and talking about essentially the same stuff. This isn't about getting a Democrat in office and thinking life will suddenly be better. WE have to do something. We've gotten so used to the quick fix. We've forgotten what it's like to really do the footwork.

We need to turn off the TV. Demand more out of our politicians, our journalists, and ourselves. Get some self-awareness already. What can you change in YOUR life? Don't think everyone else is going to pick up the slack because you aren't doing your part. Guess what? Most people are thinking that same thing!

I wish I had more faith in people. I have seen change and it makes me think we can get there. The "green" movement has finally gone mainstream, thanks to Oprah and trendy recyclable shopping bags. (please note my sarcasm there) We've got to stop waiting for things to become trendy before we decide to do them.

The state of media in this country is only one symptom of our deeper issues. I don't have the answers here. I don't know everything (or much, really) but I do know the attitude in this country sucks. Our dependence on STUFF needs to move to a dependence on EACH OTHER. Once we start caring again and doing things for the better of all (rather than just for the better of US), maybe things like a media that reflects the will of people will exist. Because right now the media is just reflecting what the majority of people are willing to accept.

What do we do now?

Jodie Stoughton — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:22:41 +0000

One of the sessions I attended this morning was, "Netroots: What's Next?" As it dealt with the future of the political blogosphere, I really wanted to check out what the panel had to say.

The fight for blogging legitimacy has been won (well, sort of). MOST have accepted blogging as a medium that not only offers quality writing, but gets it right more often. So...what next? What do we do now that everyone is listening? And what are the new battles we must be ready to fight?

That was the focus of the panel. Gina Cooper, the head of "Netroots Nation", talked about the positive ramifications of a Democratic president (hopefully) come November. I couldn't help but disagree with what she was suggesting. I felt myself shaking my head "No" as she talked about how much easier bloggers (and all media) will have it once we don't have to fight the argument with people who "don't think dinosaurs existed." Those people aren't going away. And they'll only be working harder to attack our attempts at getting the truth out there and holding them accountable. Not only that, but the Democrats have their own set of problems, don't they? This certainly isn't going to be easy sailing if Obama gets elected.

Technology has changed the way we run elections, and as the panel suggested, the next step is seeing how it actually changes policy and government. We all know how easy it is to sign a petition now but we've gotta take it further than that. It's the move from bitching to acting. Signing a petition is one thing but start your own blog! Watch the network news and start holding them accountable. Tell your friends about the garbage that's out there. Tell your elected officials that you won't accept it. Technology makes this all so much easier. We've got the power. It's time to REALLY start using it.

As a side-note, Baratunde Thurston (from Jack and Jill Politics-also on the panel) was awesome. His ability to combine heavy topics like this with humor is perfect. I suggest seeking out his blogs. He's so insightful. And fricking hilarious.

During the Q&A, one wise-guy had to question why we're all complaining about "talking heads" and being talked at while we're attending a conference with panels of people talking at us. I appreciated his point (not really) but I look at it this way. If I were such an expert on these topics, I'm not sure why I'd be going to the conference at all. We don't have the answers! We're here to be inspired, get good information, and take action.

Bill Moyers...is incredible.

Jodie Stoughton — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:31:07 +0000

Wow. That's all I can say about Bill Moyers. I've seen him speak before, but I'm once again reminded of what a dynamic force he is. If all journalists were just a little bit more like him, we'd be in a much better place.

I've got a confession to make. I was all set to watch "Blood and Oil" this morning. Then I realized I had the chance to meet Bill Moyers and get my book signed. After my heart stopped palpitating, I decided I really needed to stand in line for 45-minutes for just a few moments with Mr. Moyers. I've stood in line for about that long just to ride a roller-coaster so I was thinking it was worth it. While I was waiting, I met some interesting "Kucinich people" and because I was one of those "Dean people" back in the day, we had lots to talk about. I've always like Dennis Kucinich. I just wish he were a viable candidate. Wait. He IS a viable candidate. I just wish we had a campaign system where he was able to successfully run.

After the wait, I got my chance to talk with Bill Moyers. And what did I do? My cheeks turned pink, I muttered something about inspiration, and got my book signed. *sigh* Maybe I'll do better next time...

And some randomness to finish off the day...

Jodie Stoughton — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:05:13 +0000

I'm in excellent company at the conference. I seriously can't recall the last time so many cool people have been in one awesome place. I'm not a shy person but all the same. I'm going it alone and wasn't sure if it'd be easy to connect with other people. Well. Yeah. That's one less thing to worry about. I've already made a ton of connections. Most of them probably won't remember my name tomorrow, but whatever.

The ballroom featuring all the exhibitors is kind of like a progressive carnival. Every booth has their wares for sale but instead of obnoxiously huge stuffed animals and goldfish in bags, you'll find t-shirts, books, buttons, and bumper stickers. It's overwhelming. Everyone is looking for donations and volunteers and names to add to their email lists. I had to stop maintaining eye contact after a little bit otherwise I never would've made it to the next session!

Some kid here on a road trip from Georgia asked to bounce a little super-ball off me. Apparently he and his friend have some kind of game going on, and bouncing one of the balls off a blogger was worth big points. How could I say no to someone who drove all the way from Georgia?!

Note to self: Do not wear high-heels tomorrow. And watch for that wind. Wow. It doesn't go well with dresses.

Media and the Election Coverage...

Jodie Stoughton — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:52:14 +0000

Whew. I just got back to Eau Claire after a full day at the conference. Wow. My mind's on overload! Where to start...

This afternoon I attended a session about media coverage during this political season. What an eye-opener for me. I'm a network news junkie. I admit it. I get caught up in watching the talking heads discuss completely superficial issues regarding our candidates for president. John Nichols reminded me that this is all supposed to be about INFORMATION. Not about the trivial crap like Hillary's pantsuits and Barack's choices in a church. We have completely lost sight of the issues. What ARE the issues? If someone asked me what Obama's stance on the environment was; could I really even answer? Of course I know the name of the Rev. at his former church. Which means absolutely nothing.

This isn't how it's supposed to go, and we've got to start rejecting it. That's why I love blogging so much. It's my way of rejecting mainstream media. I am becoming my own media. What an awesome responsibility we all have. What would happen if we all started doing this? It's only through change in ourselves that we can truly change the media.

What's happened to the Internet...

Jodie Stoughton — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:44:11 +0000

is a lot like what's happened with eBay. Once upon a time, eBay was this place where you could go and actually get a deal on something like a macrame owl wall hanging from a nice old lady in Nebraska. There weren't eBay "sellers" or people who literally made a career off selling wholesale goods on the site. It was just regular people hosting the world's largest garage sale.

The Internet used to be like this too. There was less commercial regulation and more "stuff" just out there, posted by regular people who wanted to share what they knew with everyone else. What the hell happened? That's what I'm at this conference to ponder. Not find out. If I could do that, I need to be making a lot more money.

Like Josh Silver said, "The future of the media does not belong to Rupert Murdoch. It belongs to us." So, let's take it back people! I want to buy a macrame owl hanging for $2 again!

Musings from The National Conference on Media Reform 2008...

Jodie Stoughton — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:09:11 +0000

This press thing rocks! I'm here at the NCRM, registered as a blogger, so that's what I'll be doing. I have yet to really develop my blog on this website, so....that's what I'll be working on for the next few days. I'm surrounded by people bubbling with energy and excitement and it's starting to get to me. In a good way. I didn't have quite as much coffee as I normally would this morning, so I started off the day a bit cross. But it's hard to be cross when I'm sitting in the same room as Amy Goodman. Hello.

Josh Silver (he's very handsome in case you're wondering) kicked off the conference this morning, and while I was supposed to be listening to him (it was a great speech....really), my mind started drifting until the guy next to me asked for clarification on a quote. Crap. I don't know! I pledge to pay attention. Ah! I just realized my dress has pockets. PERFECT!

*side-note* This is not the place to be without my wedding ring. There's a lot of young single journalists out there. *hiding*

In Josh's speech, he questions what's REALLY news. What isn't. Who decides? *Uh oh. I have a copy of "US Weekly" in my briefcase. I'd better hide this. It just doesn't seem to jive with the idea of this whole conference.* Back to these questions. What great questions they are. I ask myself this all the time; particularly when I find myself starting to care about Angelina Jolie's CRAZY HOUSEHOLD!

*side-note* Josh Silver just said "thiefdom." Is this a real word? And if so, can I use it in Scrabble?

More later...Time to go cause some mischief. And eat in my car like a cheap loser.