In the last two years we've seen a sea change in the United States on media issues. Two years ago, people would have read this, then opened the window on the ledge of the 18th floor and jumped. They would have said, "Okay, it's over, there's nothing I can do, it's just getting worse." But in the last two years, what we've seen is that millions of Americans have gotten aware of the issue, they've organized on it, they've risen up, and we're seeing the beginnings of a burgeoning media reform movement across this country.
Robert Waterman McChesneyVery rarely are you going to see the large shareholder or CEO of a corporation march into a newsroom and say, "Cover this story, don't cover that." It's a much more subtle process. The professional code adapts, but what we try to see, is how commercial and corporate pressure shape both the professional code and the sorts of things that are considered legitimate journalism and illegitimate journalism.
Robert Waterman McChesneyThe number one lobby that opposes campaign finance reform in the United States is the National Association of Broadcasters.
Robert Waterman McChesneyLocal television news, on both radio and television, is so appalling. Makes print journalism look like the greatest stuff ever written.
Robert Waterman McChesneyThe notion that journalism can regularly produce a product that violates the fundamental interests of media owners and advertisers ... is absurd.
Robert Waterman McChesney