Amy Goodman on the Task of Authentic Journalism: 'Going to Where the Silence Is'

Amy Goodman, executive producer and co-host of Democracy Now!, opened her talk Monday, April 5th, at Syracuse’s Le Moyne College with the topic of peacemaking. “I consider it a sacred mission to be talking about peace and the possibility of the media promoting peace, unusual in this country, in this day and age.” The theme of peacemaking was in keeping with the 4th annual Daniel Berrigan International House Peacemaker lecture. The International House, co-founded by renowned peace activist Daniel Berrigan, hosts this event in an effort to keep “important justice issues in the forefront of the entire Le Moyne community and serve as a catalyst for action.”

Goodman began the presentation by showing a portion of the Hudson Mohawk Independent Media production, Independent Media in a Time of War. The documentary features Goodman’s analysis of the media coverage of the US invasion of Iraq. The video describes the incredible contrast between international news coverage and US news coverage of the Iraq War, illustrating the role US corporate media played in echoing and expanding the misinformation that lead up to the Iraq War.

Goodman spoke about the importance of alternatives to corporate media. She pointed out how crucial it is to have a forum where people can have important conversations and debates about issues of the day. She cited Pacifica radio, on the verge of its 55th year, as a forerunner in ‘broadcasting dissent… and the voices of peace”. She gave historical perspective, “Lou Hill, [founder of Pacifica radio] came out of the detention camps of WWII, where he was held because he refused to fight. When he came out he said there has to be a media outlet that is not run by corporations that profit from war. He so feared after WWII that the media was beating the drums for WWIII. ”

In addition to advocating the creation of media alternatives, Goodman challenged the public to hold corporate media accountable to the role it should play in a democratic society. “It’s not just Pacifica, NPR, and PBS that are using the public airwaves, its also CBS, NBC, ABC; they are too. They have a responsibility to use those airwaves for democracy, to present the full diversity of voices.”

Goodman emphasized the importance of presenting voices of dissent by citing one of many letters she has received from military personnel. “The most interesting response I got [to a story about dissent to 1991 Gulf War] was from women on southern military bases who called up to say we share your views, but we can’t have these debates on military bases. It’s up to you and civilian society to have discussion about the most important issues of our day.” Goodman added; “If we don’t have these discussions, it does a disservice to the service men and women of this country.”

Another crucial role of the media, according to Goodman, is to expose dangerous situations. In a recent show, military guests spoke out about the severe symptoms they have been experiencing from exposure to Depleted Uranium (DU) while in Iraq. Juan Gonzales, co-host of Democracy Now, advocated for the New York Daily News, to fund testing at Fort Dix. The tests revealed radiation sickness and extremely high blood levels of Uranium. Goodman commented, “And the peace activists are criticized for not caring about the troops when they say ‘no’ to war.”

Goodman spoke about another recent groundbreaking story reported on Democracy Now!, the “modern kidnapping” of Haitian president Jean Betrand Aristide. While the rest of the media did little to challenge the Bush Administrations’ story, Goodman revealed the role the US government played in the coup. She provided extraordinary coverage including an interview with Aristide during his flight from the Central African Republic, where he had been exiled, back to the Western Hemisphere. The coverage was picked up by AP and facilitated widespread understanding of what was actually taking place.

Goodman concluded by emphasizing the importance of ‘taking a stand.’ “I think the Berrigans have taken this to heart, what it means to people around the world for Americans to take a stand. We represent two things to people all over the world: We represent the sword and the shield. People all over the world, in Guatemala, El Salvador, in Nigeria, and East Timor know that when Americans speak out it can make a mighty difference because we’re at the barrel end of the gun that is pointed at them. We can turn those guns around, and they know that.”

Metro Justice is currently running a campaign to get Democracy Now! On the airwaves in the Rochester, NY area. To get involved call 585-325-2560.

Amy Goodman’s talk at Le Moyne will be featured on the TV Dinner show on RCTV in the coming weeks, check the IMC Calendar for TV Dinner schedule.