7. C.J.R. List (website) Columbia Journalism Review has the most extensive ownership chart of the Big Ten plus it lists the other minor arts and media players as well. See what these behemouths own at www.cjr.org/owners"It's no longer liberal versus conservative. It's big business versus democracy." - Art S Revolutionary.
Here's a list of some of the most prominent zines, publications, websites, and other groups that are leading the peaceful protest against the Big Ten, the 10 conglomerates that are monopolizing the arts and media.
1. The Media Monopoly, Ben Bagdikian. (book, now in its 5th ed.). "When the first edition of the book, The Media Monopoly(Beacon Press) was published in 1983, critics called Bagdikian's warnings about the chilling effects of corporate ownership and mass advertising on the nation's news, 'alarmist". Since then the number of corporations controlling most of America's daily newspapers, magazines, radio, television, books, and movies has dropped from 50 to ten." - Common Courage Press. For an introduction to the book see www.eserver.org/filmtv/media-monopoly.txt
2. The Nation, (magazine). An independent magazine covering political and social issues since 1865. In their initial prospectus they said that they 'will not be the organ of any party, sect, or body." Since 1996 they have printed an annual chart of "The National Entertainment State" which shows what each of the Big 10 conglomerates control. The newest list can be found at www.thenation.com/bigten/ It is the best and easiest way to see what these ten companies control. 33 Irving Place, 8th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10003
3. F.A.I.R. Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (media watchdog). Offering well-documented criticism of media bias since 1986, FAIR advocates for greater diversity in the press, exposes neglected news, and defends working journalists. "Fair believes that structural reform is ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong non-profit sources of information. Also note their 22,000 e-mail list - free to all." www.fair.org
4. U.L.A. Underground Literary Alliance (group of writers) Founder King Wenclas says, "Our goal is to change the culture, starting with literature, to free up the monopolist domination of it." POB 42077 Philadelphia, PA 19101
5. Clamor (zine). Clamor's mission is "to provide a media outlet that reflects the reality of alternative politics and culture in a format that is accessable to people from a variety of backgrounds. Clamor exists to fill the void left by mainstream media." POB 1225, Bowling Green OH 43402 . www.clamormagazine.org
6. Zine World, A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press, (zine) Zine World reviews all zines received to promote a variety of voices from the underground. It also has a large news section and numerous articles that cover issues the mainstream media misses. POB 330156 Murfreesboro, TN 37133 www.undergroundpress.org
7. C.J.R. List (website) Columbia Journalism Review has the most extensive ownership chart of the Big Ten plus it lists the other minor arts and media players as well. See what these behemouths own at www.cjr.org/owners
8. The Baffler (zine) And what baffles The Baffler? In their own words: "The more closely American speech was brought under centralized corporate control, the more strenuously did our advertising, TV sitcoms, and even our management literature insist on the virtue and widespread availability of revolution!...Our writing began to focus more and more on business culture and the culture business." Thomas Frank ed. POB 378293 Chicago, Il 60637. www.thebaffler.com
9. Indy Media (website). The Independent Media Center is a network of collectively run media outlets established after the World Trade Organization riots in Seattle. It offers grass roots non-corporate news coverage. www.indymedia.org
10. Musea (zine, and website). Since '92 under the editor Art S Revolutionary Musea is "the monthly newsletter that is leading the art revolution against the handfull of corporate art and media conglomerate weasels who control virtually all of the arts and media in the US; and for the best of all the 'indie' artists outside of corporate art." 4000 Hawthorne #5 Dallas, Tx 75219. http://musea.digitalchainsaw.com (note this is the zine of the author of this article)
Also note:
Project Censored, annual list of the top news stories that were ignored by the mainstream media from Sonoma University, CA. www.project censored.org (note as of the writing of this article this website was down)
Center for Digital Democracy, "a non profit organization working to ensure that the digital media systems serve the public interest." Note all their website news on media/art consolidation at www.democraticmedia.org.
Adbusters, "a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators, and entrepreneurs who want to topple existing power structures..." Note this Vancouver based organization's marketing campaigns such as 'Buy Nothing Day', and 'TV Turnoff Week'. www.adbusters.org
MRR, punk rock zine promotes indy music and often writes about the media/art monopolies. POB 460760 San Francisco CA 94146.
Pirate Radio, (radio wherever you can find it on the dial). Independent voices scattered throughout the country that often rail against the abuses of radio regulation and the radio industry.
Tom Tomorrow, insightful cartoonist that often pokes fun at the art/media consolidation. Find him in many alt weeklies across the country.