mikeheichman, Author at Green Mass Group

Editorial: Jill Stein Deserves More Visibility in Mass. Gubernatorial Debate Coverage

mikeheichman September 11, 2010 0

by Jason Pramas (Staff), Sep-10-10

It’s not usually the practice of this publication to spend much time in our weekly editorials sniping at the flaws of other Boston news media. Perhaps if we start up a media review column at some point, we’ll do some more regular critiques of our big sibling local news outlets, but it hasn’t been a priority for us primarily because Open Media Boston was not founded to be a reactive publication. We like to offer constructive criticism on issues of the day, but in doing so we really like get at discussions of what a better Boston (and better world) might look like, and how regular people might work together to build that better future. Nevertheless, sometimes the mainstream media screws up in a way that’s impossible for us to ignore, and we’ll weigh in on it. This is one of those times. To wit, on Tuesday the first televised gubernatorial debate was held on WBZ Channel 4. To its sponsors’ credit, all 4 candidates – Gov. Deval Patrick (D), Charlie Baker (R), Tim Cahill (I), and Jill Stein (G-R) – participated. And all did a credible job. In my opinion, Patrick and Baker both did very well in the back-and-forth. Cahill and Stein were both more shaky in their delivery – with Stein perhaps more articulate and better prepared on issues. However, to read the debate coverage in the Boston Globe and Boston Herald the next day, you’d think that Cahill and Stein had barely said a word. Cahill got some extra coverage in the Globe later in the week, and has gotten more attention in other media all along. But Stein has been largely rendered mute.

Media should not edit our democratic process

mikeheichman September 11, 2010 0

Originally posted in South End News

by Shirley Kressel, contributing writer

Wednesday Sep 8, 2010

Democracy depends on a fully informed electorate. But our media have decided to be the gatekeepers of information and narrow our political options according to their expectations, as if voting were a horse-race and accurate prediction were the goal instead of expression of public will. This enclosure of the journalistic commons coincides with the increasingly concentrated ownership of the media outlets by powerful corporations with massive financial interests to promote to the government and the public.

No wonder we keep getting the same old, same old from our government; we keep whiplashing between the narrow Republicrat/Demican choices we’re offered, voting NO again and again and hoping this will send the message and get us what we want. It won’t.

Jill Stein, the Green-Rainbow candidate for governor, is the only alternative to the three “old boys” of the ‘same old’ network, incumbent Deval Patrick, Charles Baker, and Tim Cahill. But our media chieftains have decided that three old boys are enough choice for the people of Massachusetts.

Support Chuck Turner

mikeheichman September 1, 2010 0

Chuck Turner will be going on trial!

I met with Chuck last week to discuss ways that the GRP could be supportive.

Chuck was in excellent spirits, maintained his innocence and expressed his confidence in his legal team (See his letter below, which you can find on his web site.

The trial will begin on October 12, and he believes that it will last about 3 weeks.

Keep in touch with developments before and during the trial by visiting his website. Please do what you can to support this wonderful human being and outstanding public servant.

I will send information when I have news to report.

Message from Jill Stein for Governor

mikeheichman August 31, 2010 0

Dear friends,

Today we got word that we have met all requirements to appear on the ballot this November! Our volunteers worked tirelessly throughout summer to collect over 16,000 certified signatures from voters across the state. That is 6,000 signatures ABOVE the legal requirement and the last batch was delivered today. This is what democracy looks AND feels like. The commitment of our supporters to taking back our future is inspirational, and the reason I am in this race.

There is still a lot to do before election day and with signature gathering behind us there are many exciting ways for you to get involved. As mentioned in our previous newsletter, there are still some debate organizers putting roadblocks in the way of our participation. The major one involves a rule that the campaign must have raised $100,000. Because we decline donations from lobbyists and from officers of corporations which employ them, we need you to help push us over the top! Please consider making a contribution today of any amount you can afford. We also invite you to become part of our Clean Money Team – which consists of people who are encouraging friends and family to contribute and help create a community-funded alternative to the growing corporate buy-out of our elections. We provide the support and suggested materials. To join or inquire about our Clean Money Team, please e-mail Dante at dante@jillstein.org.

Let Jill Debate

mikeheichman August 13, 2010 0

I am forwarding this excellent editorial from Jason Pramas from OMG.

Mike Heichman

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Let Jill Stein Debate

by Jason Pramas (Staff), Aug-13-10

• OMB Editorial

It’s really something to watch the mainstream media in our fair state close ranks around the mainstream candidates in the Mass. gubernatorial race. On Tuesday, Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein was contacted by a consortium of nine major local media organizations and (to quote her press release) “invited to participate in two major televised debates, providing she met certain criteria including raising $100,000 in campaign funds and achieving at least a 5 percent score in election polls.” I would have to agree with Stein that the media outlets in question are setting the bar for entry to the debates too high to easily allow qualified third-party candidates to participate.

I would also agree with her campaign position on the matter, “All candidates that have qualified for the ballot under the election laws of the Commonwealth should be invited to participate in debates that use the public airways. We also think that fair treatment of all candidates is to be expected from the media corporations that are taking advantage of the privileges our society accords to journalistic enterprises. Those privileges are based on an assumption that journalists will contribute to the free and open dialogue that is essential to a healthy democracy. Journalists should refuse to be parties to any attempt to restrict the flow of information that voters need and deserve.”

Categories Democracy Tags 2010 Massachusetts Gubernatorial Debates, Jill Stein for Governor, Mainstream Media