“Protection against government is now not enough to guarantee that a man who has something to say shall have a chance to say it. The owners and managers of the press determine which person, which facts, which version of the facts, and which ideas shall reach the public.”

The only counter to the giants of the media infrastucture is the internet. The airwaves are monitored, policed and controled by their owners. The internet differs only on the basis it's too vast to monitor, police have yet to grip the flow of information and the owners of websites have not all become controlled by their sponsors and commercial relationships. Freedom of speech has died since people started mistaking the definition of tolerance and political correctness went inverted and chased down all that isn't in line with modern thought.

While his statement is true it fails to point out that in this country anyone can own and manage a press or printing shop and I suggest they do. Diverse opinion is everywhere.

Everyone now has access to a printing press (internet) and everyone should use it. Before its taken over and completely censored by our so called "Democratic Government". Plans are underway to do just that, so use it while you can.

J Carlton is right. Since main stream media is now under the control of the Obama crowd, the internet is the best way to get the truth out.

WILL, very good... As was exhibited in China during the Olympics and again in Tibet during the recent uprising. You are only free if all people are free when you fall for the rhetoric of freedom its because you think you are free. The same applies to the press/media. The primary source of freedom is not without but within all else is just smoke and mirrors. The media and government likes you to believe that they provide this thing called freedom but in truth you are the power that makes it happen.

The major media can destroy anyone they want at will with few if any consequences. A well placed innuendo, a well chosen word with a particular connotation, or an unflattering photo are all tricks of the trade. Most newspapers don't even try to be subtle anymore, however. It is outright hostility and blatant lies that are common today. Die, McClatchy, die (not speaking German here either). You too, Herst.

Media publishes what people want to read. AOL home page is full of gossipy, semi-slanderous trivia eveeryday. I am sure they know how many hits it creates and if the hits are good they will print more the next day. No different that newsprint. As Limbaughs ratings go up he gets worse and worse, just like Hilter. These people have to keep out doing themselves to keep their ratings.

Absolutely true, and, yes, the Internet is giving us a reprieve of the spoon-fed pablum we call news. It is the continuation of the 'socialization' of Americans which is apparently more important than the truth. I still don't understand why Waffler even listens to Rush and then repeatedly brings him up here to criticize him. I guess freedom of speech is just to be reserved for the Leftmedia -- or Waffler is just parroting his party line again (most likely). People forget a very important thing: the media is beholden to its advertisers -- they may not say anything that will piss off their creditors. Keep us entertained and prescription-drugged, give us our daily 'minute of hate' (actually it's much longer now than in 1984), and then smooth it all out with empty promises of free money and government services all for our own security. Now back to our regularly scheduled program ... (click)

Archer, please... America has the biggest socialized programs in the worlds nearly half a GDP goes on the biggest called the military machine - that in essence is a socialized program. We bail out the auto, insurance and banking industries they too are mostly socialized. America's biggest employer is the government so please get your facts straight. Soon there will be no jobs accept for government jobs. What's turned America socialized is unfettered capitalism.

With great power comes great responsibility but those in the USA who have the greatest power--the media and the supposed "representatives of the people"/gov't, have colluded to abuse that power solely for their own benefit and to the detriment of all the rest of us.

New Opiate of the masses? I'm off to keep up with the Kardashians.

All Truth within nature, gravity, is a Universal law, this passes through the eye of the needle. The code of moral conduct and understanding of the code, are governed by the powers that be. " LET EVERY soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For "rulers" are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of the same. Wherefore ye must needs be Subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is Briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." The night is far spent. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, Not in Cambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." When the current government neglects this duty, the nation becomes weaken to destruction. Yes, the internet and free speech have allowed for the spread of, A minority, held in seclusion, But Now, the awakening of Patriots worldwide. The Son is a very Bright Light. Abraham came forth from the land of the Chaldees, the Chaldean are in the room, and are on stage this election with the Patriots. You can feel the gravity.

50 years later, after the media has devolved into a straight political propaganda machine, it turns out that people actually DO think for themselves. When there were only 3 TV channels and 3 major newspapers that everyone followed, the press had more control and their power became immense. But today, broadcast TV isn't even on my list of sources for news. Watching broadcast news after being away from it for so long I cannot help to say to myself, "What? This is complete BS!" Apparently I am not the only one. (!!)

Has anyone noticed that the newscasts sound as contrived as Clinton's speeches? Probably because the same people are writing them.

Isn't word of mouth more pervasive then word of press?