W George Krasnow / a.k.a. Vladislav Krasnov Dear Mr. Chairman,
As president of the Russia & America Goodwill Association of patriotic American citizens who favor better relations with Russia, I welcome the news that the F.C.C. backs opening Net Neutrality Rules for debate. [1]
However, as the ongoing events in Ukraine have shown, there is an even greater imbalance - and little neutrality and objectivity - in media reporting and comments on global events. Some observers speak of a return of the pre-1991 Cold War. Others says it is much worse and more dangerous for world peace because none of the Soviet dictators was ever as vilified, demonized, and lied about as Russia's President Vladimir Putin who was elected to his post in a contested election the fairness of which was attested by international watch-dogs.
Among the respected commentators who have recently detailed the disinformation and abusive coverage about Russia in US media, even in mainstream outlets like The New York Times, are Patrick L. Smith [2], Stephen Kinzer [3], David Sirota [4], and Robert Parry [5].
On has to wonder why there is such bias, bordering on hysterical Russophobia, in a country priding itself on having advanced ethnic diversity, religious tolerance, and multi-culturalism at home and abroad. The answer is suggested in an article by Eric Sommer [6], a Canadian researcher, who points to:
As president of the Russia & America Goodwill Association of patriotic American citizens who favor better relations with Russia, I welcome the news that the F.C.C. backs opening Net Neutrality Rules for debate. [1]
However, as the ongoing events in Ukraine have shown, there is an even greater imbalance - and little neutrality and objectivity - in media reporting and comments on global events. Some observers speak of a return of the pre-1991 Cold War. Others says it is much worse and more dangerous for world peace because none of the Soviet dictators was ever as vilified, demonized, and lied about as Russia's President Vladimir Putin who was elected to his post in a contested election the fairness of which was attested by international watch-dogs.
Among the respected commentators who have recently detailed the disinformation and abusive coverage about Russia in US media, even in mainstream outlets like The New York Times, are Patrick L. Smith [2], Stephen Kinzer [3], David Sirota [4], and Robert Parry [5].
On has to wonder why there is such bias, bordering on hysterical Russophobia, in a country priding itself on having advanced ethnic diversity, religious tolerance, and multi-culturalism at home and abroad. The answer is suggested in an article by Eric Sommer [6], a Canadian researcher, who points to:
the concentration of media holdings in five conglomerates: Time Warner, Disney, Murdochs’ News Corporation, Bertelsmann of Germany, and Viacom (formerly CBS). Their control spans most of the newspapers, magazines, books, radio and TV stations, movie studios, and much of the web news content of the United States. These conglomerates are in large measure responsible for inculcating the social, political, economic, and moral values of both adults and children in the United States...
It was not always like this. Immediately after World War II, three out of four US newspapers were independently owned. But the media-control numbers have been shrinking ever since then due to mergers, acquisitions, and other processes. By 1983, 50 corporations controlled 90 percent of US media. But today just five giant conglomerates control 90 percent of what most Americans read, watch, and listen to.
The concentration of media resources may be justified by economic, financial and business reasons. But it contradicts and undermines what the FCC was chartered to do: to "make available so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication services with adequate facilities at reasonable charges."
Moreover, it breaks anti-monopoly laws that encourage sound competition and business practices.
Ultimately it defies the First Amendment on Freedom of the Press and thus undermines this country's democracy, international reputation and defense.
In the view of David Sirota, journalists are now forced to conform to the prevailing anti-Russian bias imposed from above. He even concludes that American journalism needs more Edward Snowdens to break out of their subservience.
The problem has been illustrated recently when a group of nine Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity issued an appeal for a Summit between President Obama and President Putin that got very little circulation because the media barons believe they know more about US defense needs than our government. I quote from their appeal:
Moreover, it breaks anti-monopoly laws that encourage sound competition and business practices.
Ultimately it defies the First Amendment on Freedom of the Press and thus undermines this country's democracy, international reputation and defense.
In the view of David Sirota, journalists are now forced to conform to the prevailing anti-Russian bias imposed from above. He even concludes that American journalism needs more Edward Snowdens to break out of their subservience.
The problem has been illustrated recently when a group of nine Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity issued an appeal for a Summit between President Obama and President Putin that got very little circulation because the media barons believe they know more about US defense needs than our government. I quote from their appeal:
We believe the stakes are too high for you to exclude the possibility of trying to re-establish a modicum of personal trust with President Putin – enough to prevent events in Ukraine from falling into a state of complete disrepair. Arranging to meet with him at this critical juncture would be seen as a sign that you are sensitive to the danger of further escalation.
Knowing that you are new on the job and the problems described have accumulated over several years, we believe it is incumbent on you to do now whatever is necessary to correct the existing imbalance and bias in the media handling of Russia so that the conflict in Ukraine is fully and objectively elucidated. A clear understanding of the issues is a precondition of this crisis being peacefully resolved. A national debate, similar to one on Net Neutrality Rules, might also be in order.
Sincerely,
W George Krasnow / a.k.a. Vladislav Krasnov
President, RAGA
www.raga.org
Sources:
Sincerely,
W George Krasnow / a.k.a. Vladislav Krasnov
President, RAGA
www.raga.org
Sources:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/technology/fcc-road-map-to-net-neutrality.html?hpw&rref=business&_r=1
- http://www.salon.com/writer/patrick_l_smith/
- http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/05/11/russia-acts-like-any-other-superpower/AJRSNiIUYQPAHRlLXcfIlJ/story.html
- http://www.salon.com/2014/05/15/american_journalism_needs_more_edward_snowdens/
- http://consortiumnews.com/
- http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-day-u-s-supported-fascists-began-murdering-civilians-a-day-that-will-live-in-infamy/5380379
- http://www.salon.com/2014/05/15/american_journalism_needs_more_edward_snowdens/
- http://consortiumnews.com/2014/05/04/needed-obama-putin-summit-on-ukraine/
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