The New Journalism and why it's so important to Ron Paul

I have noticed something. And be sure to let me know if I'm wrong...

It was highlighted to me in 2008. See the next video for an explanation. I think it does an exceptional job of explaining how the media is manipulated to get the results the money interests want.



People are familiar with the controversy surrounding the various scandals that Wikileaks have exposed. Some say Wikileaks could be a new web based version of journalism. But is this the extent of the a new face of journalism? To me it's pretty obvious the main stream media is nothing more than paid propaganda... and I've also noticed there is indeed a great deal of news coming from places like twitter, facebook and YouTube. However, I do believe there is much more potential still left to be realized in the field of independent journalism. A new journalism.



I strongly believe there are changes coming (I can feel it) but it's going to be a battle between those in control of most of the systems we exist in or something much different. I strongly believe it is those individuals that can communicate with others and spread a message that are going to be the one's to sway the vast majority into a much greater place. Thus my presentation of the "New Journalism".

Before I get into why, I'd first like to point out where society is, what's been going on, how it's happen. And I think the first video does that quite well.Be

John Pilger, the noted Australian journalist and filmmaker addressed a Socialist gathering in Chicago in 2007 and although I can't say one would find me agreeing with the ideology, the speech was spectacular. His conclusion was a call for a new era in journalism.



Desire and Understanding Truth

The field of journalism as a profession has turned into nothing more than a paid spokesperson. Yet this is an opportunity. This is a huge opportunity for those entrepreneurs of a new era. The truth is more valuable than ever... yet the vast majority of people have not realized the real usable value of the truth. I think there is something we all feel in our gut... an emptiness that we try to cover up, that is a desire for truth but it has been identified in modern culture as a weakness. So that is probably the first hurdle. Then the second hurdle is everyone believing they are entitled to their own opinion of events regardless of facts. One can see the promotion of this on the news, they don't focus on facts, they just bring in an expert and then ask his or her opinion. People need to be re-energized with the idea that there is only one truth... that ends opinions. That we can indeed come to a conclusion that is mutually beneficial through finding the facts.

I was recently watching a documentary on the economic destruction of Argentina (see my WWIII blog) from within. It's own government sold out to corrupt foreign financial interests and basically sold it's citizens down the river turning a wealthy Westernized economy into a serfdom. What is so obvious looking back is the treachery of the Argentinian leaders. If the thirst for the truth would have been there and the understanding of how to get it... more than likely someone would have provided it. Of course that was before the internet which only makes the ease at which information can be spread available to all that have access. However, it's the demand for the truth and understanding that appears to be missing.

John Pilger, in his speech, pointed out a particular interview done while behind the Iron curtain in the 1970's with a opposition leader. He pointed out the the people in totalitarian regimes had one advantage over the West's populations. They knew everything in the media was lies.



The Power of Satyagraha

To me we have a distinct opportunity with independent journalism to draw upon something Gandhi pointed out during his struggles in India and South Africa. That there is a greater power than force. To use that force we must be disciplined enough to use it wisely. If we are going to root out injustice we must make it obvious to everyone that it is indeed unjust. Independent journalism can be the spearhead of that power.

Satyagraha is a word contrived by Gandhi from satya (truth) and agraha (holding firm). A satyagrahi  (practitioner of satyagraha) concentrates on the common interests and strives not for retribution but to transform the conflict situation so that the warring parties can come out of the confrontation convinced it was in their best mutual interests to resolve it.

Everyone's freedom is withing their grasp. There are two alternatives. One is violence, the other is non-violence. One is physical strength the other of soul-force. One of hatred, the other of love. We must chose and we will reap what we sow.

Satyagraha as a Power greater than force

Using and Training the Group

We must also work together. This is for practical reasons as well as effect. The military learned long ago that soldiers that didn't have a "buddy" would quickly give up. So they immediately began the idea of a "battle buddy". They also understood that this effectiveness goes further beyond into the group espirit de corpe, morale, and unit cohesion are all ways of describing the effectiveness of a military unit. Thus it became taught in widespread military training that individuals identity came from the group. Lore of the unit, group activities that bind members, and a tie to the future outcome were all tied to the group.

This knowledge needs to be utilized. Individuals willing to expose injustice need to form themselves into organizations and create similar events and circumstances. There is an excellent example of this in a movie called "A Force More Powerful" in regard to the Nashville Sit-Ins in 1960. People who participated had to be trained. They understood what to expect and the images of what occurred were an important part of resolving the conflict and the injustice. It wasn't just one... it was a group working together.



The Method of Non-Violent Communication

A rather important and deeply interesting conversation on non-violent communication. To make violence acceptable, it has to be made fun. Understand the trick. Using empathy to create connection with other people.




And one last thing about our language... pay attention for the term "mutual understanding"