Chicago Media Watch 2002 Conference
Propaganda: War, Terror and the U.S. Empire

PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT
CMW states firmly that our conference on propaganda was aimed precisely at fulfilling this mission. In fact, over the years, CMW has brought to our supporters and followers what can be described as true balance—stories not allowed on the pages of the corporate press. This is not the same "balance" a corporation demands when there is a rare report of its polluting policies.

We do not espouse "causes." Our true cause are the stories not told, the public lies, the easy public relations that seduces, the trivial that substitutes for substance. In this vein, we feel very confident that in bringing both Sut Jhally and Richard Baehr together on the same podium, we were loyal to furthering of our clearly stated mission.

For the record, the program committee approved of inviting both Sut Jhally and Richard Baehr. Yes, Mr. Baehr was invited after Jhally, but only when we found out that Jhally would talk only on the subject that he wanted to discuss, and not on the topic CMW had requested. In fact, our early flyers had printed the original title of his talk, which was "Commercialism of the War." Mr. Jhally clearly had an agenda. Were he to come, he said to me on the phone the one and only time I spoke to him, it would be to expose the power of the Israeli propaganda machine. I asked him at the very least to try to connect this topic to the main themes we had developed and he said he would try.

That conversation was the only conversation Jhally and I had, other than when we met at a media conference in New Mexico—I told him then that since the planned schedule was tight, he could get only 45 minutes—no more than any other speaker.

Because of Jhally’s reputation and power as a speaker, we believed that his presence would be valuable. Considering his chosen topic however, then it became necessary in our eyes to open up the dialogue. There is more than one side to the Middle East story—many sides if we really examine the issue in all its exquisite complexity. The situation in the Middle East is highly provocative; it creates powerful emotions. CMW does not promote any particular side; we strive to keep the dialogue open. That is, after all, what a democratic society is supposed to stand for: open dialogue and vigorous debate.

Canadian professor John McMurtry spoke of a public mind set which becomes so ingrained, so deeply imbedded into our collective psyches that no reason, no logic, no facts can persuade otherwise. And this phenomenon was played out right there on November 2nd at the Crown Auditorium of Loyola University with some of our attendees.

We are deeply disappointed at the unpleasant, emotional outbursts that came even before Mr. Baehr began his speech and we are deeply disappointed at the personal attacks which Jhally threw out—with no opportunity to rebut.

We see in this mini-drama powerful trends: a micro symbol of the radical fury on both sides of the Middle East story, and a glimpse of what is happening across this country. Radical, fireball emotions are dictating and pressuring policy with growing intolerance for any point of view but "ours".

The cancer is spreading throughout society. In college campuses across the country groups of students are demonstrating zealotry and rage; students have become the target of harassment for over a year, verbally and physically. Professors are warning students that they must not enroll in their classes unless they espouse a certain view point.

We see this as a breakdown of civility, decency and respect. The Middle East has cast a long shadow; it has the power to polarize us all.

The Chicago Sun-Times wrote on November 4, "The net effect on campus, however, has been a chilling effect on sincere academic debate, scholars said. One scholar targeted by pro-Israel groups broke down in tears in a faculty discussion on the situation last week. ‘I've been here 20 years, and there has always been an air of civility,’ said Fred Donner, a professor of Near Eastern history. ‘Only in this last year has there been this rash of brutally bitter recriminations and accusations. It's very unfortunate.’"

Those who are the most furious are cut from the same cloth, however opposite their positions.

Extremism comes from both sides. Clearly CMW is needed more than ever. Many in the audience saw the two presenters as one of the high points of the day. We had the courage not to be "politically correct"; we did not cave into the rage and the pressure. It is especially sad to receive letters from those who either walked out before Baehr spoke, or who never went to the event at all. Are these issues such a hot button that facts —whoever speaks them—become irrelevant ? Have we descended into mob action?

Hopefully, there will always be a more moderate group, the majority of thinkers who see the complexity and history in the region and who know there is no absolute right or wrong. They are willing to ask questions, are open to a search for truth, however painful it may be, and who know that nothing in that area is simple. Extremist thinking is the mark of a fanatic. Rageful certainty smacks of self- righteousness and fanaticism.

When I was a student, I was taught how important it is to know the other point of view even better than to know my own. Such a concept is based on a respect for my opponent and the admission that my opponent may have bits of merit in his argument. If we listen with respect, truth may just seep into the cracks. If we listen without the fury, steps can be made toward some peaceful accommodation. Unless there is respect and openness to reasoned analysis, John Ashcroft and his intolerance of dissent, his closing down the American mind will have won. America becomes ripe for fascism.

This polarization has become a disease of the progressive left, leaving giant gaps in the public arena. Rather than unite to fight against what now are going to become ever greater assaults on human rights and needs, on our environment, on worker rights and civil liberties, and on the poor and uninsured, we fight among ourselves and render ourselves impotent in the process.

So, I urge us all to see this event as an amazing opportunity to show the world that we will not tolerate the silencing of free speech, that nothing is so sacred that we cannot give an opportunity to voice information and another point of view. Many of our attendees deeply praised us for our courage, and for bringing the issues to an open forum. We will not be hijacked by any ideology no matter how "right" the believers feel they are. We are open to dialogue, to debate, to education, to sharing information and to growth. The Chicago Media Watch board and I are committed to nothing less.

Liane Casten
President, Chicago Media Watch

 

• Read the conference report by Lynn Cooling
• Read Joan Levin's personal observations
• Michael Miner's comments in the Chicago Reader