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Dear Mediawatchers,<BR>
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A quick note on the function of media watch. As some of you will know this list was set up in January 2003 following a meeting on media and war in which we all felt that we had to do something to challenge the endless lies and distortions being fed to us on the then proposed attack on Iraq. The list was intended to have two purposes. First the circulate information about media issues as intellectual self defence. Second, to try and encourage people to write to the mainstream media to complain.<BR>
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Perhaps part of Iain's point is that the latter function has not been as successful as the former. I agree that this is the case, although I would also say that I am aware for list members writing to complain without copying their missives to the list. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to reiterate that the list is intended to provide some inspiration to writing to the media to complain. When people do complain it is useful and can be inspiring for you to share your emails (and any responses) with the list. I have heard people say that the erudition of some complainants puts them off and that many people feel inhibited by their self perceived lack of knowledge etc. I would welcome any response on this question and especially on how it might be overcome.<BR>
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On the circulation of information for intellectual self defence, my impression in discussions with various listmembers is that many people do find this useful. I know that I certainly do and I have used the list (and its archives - which for those that don't know are online at: http://lists.stir.ac.uk/pipermail/media-watch/) as a resource on many occasions. Can I just say a big thank you to everyone who takes the trouble to post and to get involved.<BR>
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Feel free to email (on or off list) with responses or suggestions.<BR>
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Best wishes<BR>
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David<BR>
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<B>From: </B>"YvonneMarshall" <Brotherhoods@stevenston4.fsnet.co.uk><BR>
<B>Date: </B>Wed, 31 Mar 2004 00:32:25 +0100<BR>
<B>To: </B><media-watch@lists.stir.ac.uk><BR>
<B>Subject: </B>[Media-watch] (no subject)<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Dear List-Members,<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">This is a personal rant, no links attached.<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Traffic at this address has diminished of late, and if it wasn't for the contributions of D Miller and Julie-anne Davis then I'd have nothing - precisely nothing - to rant about. The fact that submissions are still being made to media-watch is, in itself, encouraging, but the paucity of comment and reaction to developments by those who have subscribed to the list since its inception is depressing.<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Who is it that takes the time to read this list, to respond to postings, to stay up way-past their bedtimes when they could be doing so many other things ? Who, in their right mind, would want to tap away at a keyboard when other sensible beings are, if not asleep, partaking in on-line orgies and quizzes ? What is the point of this ?<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Hello ?<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Yes, you. It must be you. You're reading this. If you are as half-witted as me then you're trying, without really knowing why, to create a 'debate' which does not happen elsewhere. You are perhaps sick and tired of watching News-24 and the other 'non-stop' news channels which promise so much but deliver so little. Maybe you're sick of being fed lies by people who are employed, and work, in shifts, to deliver the scripts which are fed to them by people who are, in turn, thoroughly sick of what they do but have no 'realistic' option.<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Do you have a mortgage ? Yes, so do I. Do you have children ? Yes, so do I. The very same excuses are made by those who dutifully script and deliver the often comically inane cobblers fed to us all as 'news'. If this isn't a preoccupation of media-watch then it f***ing well should be. "I was only doing what I was told..." Aye, right, sure thing, heard it...nae excuse at all, at all.<BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">So, why do we do it ? Why do we send each other bits and pieces of 'news' which don't appear on the telly or the radio ? What is the point ? <BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">What is it about this list that will make it last, make it relevant, make it something worth recommending to friends etc etc ? I don't know. Do you ?<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Why is it that, even on an open forum like this, people are unable, or unwilling, to state their own feelings about what's happening in media rather than simply post links to the work of others ? Is this forum not a legitimate arena for airing original, personal views ?<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">If so, where are they ? My name is not Yvonne Marshall, as it appears in your Inbox, but that's because I haven't changed the name since subscribing. My name is Ian Brotherhood and I am a real person, and I have real beefs and rants about what's going on, much of it media-related. What about everyone else ? What are the personal beefs, what is the problem ? Why are you writing to this thing, this forum, but not expressing yourself, not stating openly what YOU think ???<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">What DO you think ?<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Speak up, speak your 'truth', whatever it is. I know media-watch isn't a chat-room, but it would be nice, invigorating, to hear the real voices behind the 'posters' - the reason why you post whatever you do is perhaps - nay probably - as important as the content of your references.<BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Thanks for your attention, and best regards,<BR>
</FONT></FONT> <BR>
<FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Ian Brotherhood<BR>
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