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The Writers Guild Strike: A Perfect Time to Support Independent Media |
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With the WGA strike picking up steam, it is important that we step back and see the opportunity in this. Keep in mind, and this is unbelievable to me, that the main contention here is whether or not writers should be compensated when their works are sold online and in DVD form. Apparently it isn’t just the record labels who are becoming irrelevant, television and movie producers just might be the next to go. Repeatedly, as a backlash against failures of industry, individuals pick up the pieces to create and distribute their own news, music, videos and more.
If you aren’t familiar with the Writers Guild Strike, this video explains the situation well. (h/t MissLaura)
As Welchwrite points out, this is the ideal time to support independent media.
Sure, I’m an early adopter as they say, but it is only going to take a few weeks of entertainment deprivation before people start looking for alternatives…and we, as new media producers, are right here waiting for them. In fact, we should be reaching out to them right now. We should be showing them just how easy it is to get new media on their televisions, on their computers and on their portable players.
I think this is exactly right.
The fact that you are reading this right now demonstrates that you are already a consumer of independent media. I’d ask you to go a step forward by trying the following things, both during the strike and beyond:
- Contributing finanancially to an independent media source you use is perhaps the easiest and most effective way you can support independent media. Many independent outlets rely on contributions and minimal advertising revenue to produce the news you enjoy. By supporting them you help to provide the resources they need to improve the quality and quantity of content they produce.
2. Tell a Friend About Independent Media
- Help spread the word about your favorite independent media source. Many bloggers, media activists, watchdogs, non-profits and websites can’t afford to spam the airwaves like corporate media outlets do. They rely on word of mouth to increase viewership and readership, so use your mouth, email, social network, website, phone, blackberry, or whatever, and spread the word.
3. Turn off your Television
- Though I can’t match Alex or J-Ro, who don’t own a television, I try not to watch much. Some programs, like The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Keith Olbermann, Real Time w/ Bill Maher, Democracy Now and Current, generally get my support. Imagine what would happen if everyone who supported the Writers Guild refused to watch television until the AMPTP met their demands. This would be especially powerful right now, during November sweeps. So, even if you aren’t going to give up television completely during the WGA strike, please consider limiting yourself to high quality programming you feel comfortable supporting. Vote with your eyeballs. Besides, television is bad for you anyway.
So please, get out there and take advantage of independent media. Use it, watch it, read it and consume it. Most importantly, create it.
Stay up to date on the strike:
No TV and proud of it! Go indie media!