Goodman draws overflow crowd to media discussion

By PAM JONES

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — The Democracy Now! 10th Anniversary Tour made a local stop at Sullivan County Community College’s Seelig Theatre on Thursday, October 26. Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!, drew an overflow crowd, as she did with her prior visit in May of 2004. Chairs and two televisions were set up in the lobby to accommodate audience members in excess of available theatre seating. The event was co-sponsored by local independent radio station WJFF and Hamish and Henry Booksellers of Livingston Manor.

The theme of the tour, “Breaking the Sound Barrier, Celebrating Independent Media” is also central to Goodman’s broadcast and her new book, “Static,” co-written with her brother, David Goodman. On the topic of corporate control of the media, she cited the example of hurricane Katrina coverage, where America witnessed front-line reality as a result of grass roots journalism from the “ground zero” of New Orleans. She posed the question, “Can you imagine if we saw unembedded images from Iraq for one week? How would it affect the American public?”

Goodman noted that when Democracy Now! breaks a story that is later picked up by the corporate media, they often are not credited. She describes this as their “Steal this story, please!” tactic of “trickle-up journalism.”

She asserted to the audience that the voice of the people is the only thing more powerful than the government. Goodman exited the theatre to a standing ovation and remained in the lobby to sign books and talk with attendees.

For more information visit democracynow.org.