Democracy Forum

Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine     Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Participatory Democracy Program Topic: Press or Propaganda: Corporate Media, a Free Press, and the Future of Democracy Key Discussion Points: -Tension between corporate, profit-motivated ownership of mainstream media and the public interest mission served by journalism in an open democracy. -What roles are old and new media playing in forming an educated electorate in 21st century America? -The long-held belief in a liberal media bias has been challenged by the success of Fox News and the like. Is this kind of POV media a new phenomenon in American journalism? Which side is winning? -What happens when the ultra-rich like Sheldon Adelson, Rupert Murdoch, and Jeffrey Bezos start buying up news outlets? -Is this good for democracy? What can citizens do? Guests: Michael Franz, Associate Professor at Bowdoin College and co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project. mikemfranz.com/ John Christie, co-founder and senior editor for the Main