WESLEY CLARK SLAMS MEDIA CONSOLIDATION

[robbedvoter]

WESLEY CLARK SLAMS MEDIA CONSOLIDATION
Democratic Presidential Candidate Also Criticizes Entertainment Industry
http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=39479
January 05, 2004
QwikFIND ID: AAP25T

By Ira Teinowitz

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AdAge.com) -- The consolidation of American media companies should stop and rules that safeguard local media company independence need to be reinstated, Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark

In response to questions as he stumped across the Granite State toward the Jan. 27 presidential primary, the retired 4-star general from Arkansas was critical of both big media and an entertainment industry he characterized as creating and selling ever more violent video games to children.

Combat training videos
He even suggested that many of the video games now being sold to consumers are more violent than the video game simulations used by the U.S. military to train its troops in the realities of combat.

In his broader comments from the campaign stage, Mr. Clark attacked the Bush Administration for, among other things, its Iraq War policies, its failure to track down Olsama bin Laden, the loss of U.S. jobs and inadequate health care measures.

snip
On Saturday, Mr. Clark's campaign produced more than 600 people to hear his Saturday remarks -- the largest crowd yet assembled for the candidate. A "Conversation with Clark" event originally scheduled for a basement room in Portsmouth's South Church had to be moved to the larger assembly hall. A second stop later in the day at the small North Hampton town hall was greeted by another crowd as well as a fire marshal from the next door fire hall enforcing local occupancy limit laws.

[Just Me]

1. I hope to see all democrats get on the same page

with respect to this issue. It's a nail just begging to be hammered!!!

[BeyondGeography]

2. Bu, bu, but he's a Republican!

Good stuff from Wes. He's no fan of the mainstream media, for anyone who has watched him lock horns with Faux et al. He rejects the intellectual stagnation that results from media consolidation and power wrapped in the hands of few individuals.

[goforit]

8. He pulls those GOPrs away from the fascist style Prez we have now.

And thats O.K.!!!

[grannylib]

3. Go General! I think he is really gaining steam...and he can certainly

beat Chimpy! The Repukes will have their undies in a really big bunch if he gets the nomination...

[tabasco]

22. Clark is our best chance to save democracy.

At least without a 2nd civil war.

[0007]

4. I'd like to see a national boycott of ABC, NBC, CBS, and all other

national media outlets including the newspapers.

Guess what? Wouldn't happened in a billion years.

[goforit]

9. There has been......See the recent Nielson ratings in archives.

No one is watching TV anymore. Especially the News networks.

This is where fascism won't work. "Amen"

[worldgonekrazy]

19. Yeah, I saw the other day that there has been a 7% decline in TV viewing

Amongst the sacred demographic, which I believe is 18-24 year old males. This is good news and has the corporate sponsors in a frenzy. May this be the beginning of a long trend.

[Democrats unite]

5. Lets hear it for the...

Next President of the United States!

[lazarus]

6. As much as I like Clark

And he is, currently, the candidate I'm endorsing, and as much as I like what he said here, I have one issue.

Lay off the video games. That's a dangerous road to travel down.

[Blue Adept]

11. Video games

No kidding. Unfortunately, it's an issue that plays well to the general public but thankfully the courts so far seem to have backed the other side of the debate.

The problem that most "adults" don't seem to get is that the majority of video game buyers and players are in their late 20's and are affluent and tech-savvy for the most part. I do agree that there needs to be a better system in place for the SALE of video games, and probably some adjustments to the ratings system, but not in regards to the content - which is as wide and varied as it could be these days.

[worldgonekrazy]

18. Plus it is beside the point

The issue with media consolidation is that it drowns out the voice of the people. The violent video games and movies thing is neither related to this nor NEARLY as big of an issue, IMO.

Makes him sound like Lieberman.

[jonoboy]

7. correct..R.Murdoch is amoral..said at the annual general meeting in UK

that he has no problem working with an authoritarian Chinese Govt if it's good for his stockholders. Some of the biggest UK ones were horrified !!

[david_vincent]

13. No different from

the many other corporations that have cozied up to China. Remember, we've been told by the CEO of General Motors that GM must no longer be considered an American company, but a Chinese company.

[bvar22]

10. Don't stop at Media Consolidation!!!

We need a TRUST BUSTER leading the way. Corporate Consolidation beyond a point (passed long ago) is a threat to America. WalMart, Exxon/Mobil, Enron, Halliburton, Military Industrial Complex, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance Industry, Medical care Industry....When this much market power is concentrated in a few hands, free trade and competition are eliminated....the ultimate goal of Unrestrained Capitalism.

[Occulus]

14. Revoke corporate personhood.

Across the board. It's the only way to stop this.

[MrPrax]

12. I liked the media concentration attack...

BUT then he careens wildly to the right with the 'violent' video games...did wonders for Tipper this line of attack.

He get's half marks though...
Either Dean or Clark would serve the Democrats proud...

[rman]

15. Really Clark, what IS so bad about media consolidation,

surely it's not just about "violent images" and video games?

Why doesn't Clark go so far as to say this media consolidation enabled the Bush admin to go to war based on lies?

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Ok Dean, Clark and DK on the same bloody page

this is impressive

[goforit]

20. Yes, they are they fellowship of the truth!!

"The Three Musketeers"

[Clark4VotingRights]

17. Excellent. He's hitting all the right notes.

And they need to book larger rooms for his events.
The crowd are getting bigger and bigger.

[vermonter4clark]

21. all candidates shouldpledge not to advertise on clear channel

if a candidate opposes media consolidation, then take action! take a pledge not to spend any advertising dollars on any clear channel radio station, television station or billboard. there are plenty of other (and frankly more affordable) ways to reach prospective voters than to pump millions of dollars into the largest media monolith of them all. whaddya say howard?

[newyawker99]

23. Hi vermonter4clark!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: