Free the Media
by Bob Russell
SPECIAL NOTICE:
FCC Authorizes New LPFM Service
http://www.fcc.gov/mmb/prd/lpfm/
On January 20, 2000, the FCC adopted rules creating a new, low power FM radio (LPFM) service. The new LPFM service will consist of two classes of LPFM radio stations with maximum power levels of 10 watts and 100 watts. The 10 watt stations would reach an area with a radius of between one and two miles, the 100 watt stations would reach an area with a radius of approximately three and a half miles.FAIR
http://www.fair.org
Fair is the national media watch group that offers well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship. We seek to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press. We scrutinize media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints.AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org
AlterNet's exciting and informative blend of stories, resources and diverse voices is available on the Web. On our home page you'll find highlights of breaking stories from the alternative press and helpful resources, along with inks that guide you through the entire site.The Benton Foundation
http://www.benton.org
The Benton Foundation works to realize the social benefits made possible by the public interest use of communications. Bridging the worlds of philanthropy, public policy, and community action, Benton seeks to shape the emerging communications environment and to demonstrate the value of communications for solving social problems.Community Media
http://www.grcmc.org
The CMC is one of the nation's first models for citizen access to cyberspace. A group of non-commercial media organizations joined forces to renovate and co-locate in the majestic West Side Library in Grand Rapids, MI in 1997. This prototype Community Media Center provides training in radio, television, and information technology; as well as access to all the equipment necessary toMedia Literacy Online Project
http://interact.uoregon.edu/MediaLit/HomePage
Our goal is to provide a support service for teachers, and others, concerned with the influence of media in the lives of children and youth. Wehave created this comprehensive media literacy resource collection to facilitate that objective.Center for Media Literacy
http://www.medialit.org
Who We Are and What We Believe:
A not-for-profit membership organization established in 1989, the Center for Media Literacy believes that . . .Media literacy is a critical lifeskill for children and adults in today's media culture -- an expanded definition of literacy beyond reading and writing, to include how to read the messages conveyed through visual images (television andmovies), music, advertising, etc.Media education for children is important and necessary because their lives are saturated with media messages -- they're watching TV, listening to music, going to movies, and spending millions of dollars on heavily advertised clothing, soda pop, snack foods, videos, CD's, computer games and more. Find out why Consumers Union president Rhoda Karpatkin cites CML as a "good source of information" for parents and teachers.
Media education for adults is important because a healthy democracy (and a healthy planet) depends on citizens who are informed about how media influence the way we live our lives -- as individuals, families, consumers, community members, and as voters.
Media is to be enjoyed and not just criticized. We are not a "watchdog" organization, and while we expect media producers to be aware of the power of their messages and the responsibilities that are inherent with that power, we do not condemn them nor question their democratic right to freedom of expression. We believe in balance over bias, communication over confrontation, and information over ignorance.
Links to Other Media Literacy Sites
http://www.ci.appstate.edu/programs/edmedia/medialit/links.html
A lot of good links, but the site is maintained by a graduate student, so it may 404 at some point.back to the top