Sam Zell Drops an "F-bomb" on one of his journalists
Normally, we tell you when Big Media is behaving badly.
But this time we caught it on video. It's outrageous. See for yourself.
EXHIBIT A: Sam Zell, the new owner of media giant Tribune Company dropped an "F-bomb" on one of his journalists when she asked him about the balance between profitmaking and investing in newsgathering.
EXHIBIT B: During the taping of a talk show produced by AT&T, the control room shut down production moments after a guest criticized AT&T's plans to filter Web content. Fortunately that guest, Joel Johnson of the blog Boing Boing, had a friend secretly videotape the segment from the audience. Now you can see what AT&T doesn't want you to know.
AT&T Shuts Down the Program (1:02)
So there you have it. Tribune Company doesn't want anything like journalism to get in the way of Zell's profits. And AT&T keeps telling us that Net Neutrality isn't needed, that we should just "trust them" not to censor the Internet. But they won't even allow someone to raise the issue on their show.
We have arrived at a unique time in the history of media, where traditional gatekeepers to information are threatened by a revolution in communications. Big Media's reaction is the same they have taken for decades: shut down discussion, dictate policies, increase profits, and maintain control.
User-generated media like YouTube, blogs and, even, e-mail are helping ensure this sort of stuff doesn't go unreported. But now the basic freedoms we expect on the Internet are under threat.
Our challenge is to use our creativity to educate the public about what's at stake and organize for policy changes that will finally keep these gatekeepers in check.
Free Press is leading this fight, but we need your support. You can help by supporting the Free Press Action Fund today.
Without your support, decisions about the future of our media will be made behind closed doors, without our input or approval. And powerful companies like the Tribune and AT&T will continue to behave with impunity.
Please make a contribution now to help take on Sam Zell, AT&T, and the other Big Media bullies.
Sincerely,
P.S. Big Media has vast resources. Free Press Action Fund can push back -- effectively -- with your immediate, loyal and generous support. Make your contribution today. We won't back down. Join us now.
