Media for Democracy 2004 - United States

This Internet-based initiative mobilises United States citizens by asking them to join together in an action force to monitor the media. The participation form, provided on the Media for Democracy 2004 website, states, "By signing up here you join Americans across the political spectrum who stand together in the fight for election coverage that is more diverse, accountable and democratic". Media for Democracy 2004 then provides participating citizens with weekly alerts informing them of media election coverage "mistakes" as they occur. These mistakes might include early, erroneous, and politically biased projections - mistakes that organisers say plagued the 2000 elections. Participants are then provided with the means to put news executives on notice. For example, the February 10 2004 action alert challenges Meet the Press host Tim Russert to openly challenge current President George W. Bush (who plans to participate in the 2004 election) about supposed gaps in his military service during the Vietnam War. Campaign participants are asked to forward the alert directly to Russert, urging him to take action by requesting that the White House release related records and submit them to a full review by the American public. Such weekly alerts may either be viewed on the Media for Democracy 2004 site or received via email.

To provide participating citizens with the background and analysis they need to take informed action, a resources page on the Media for Democracy 2004 site includes links to relevant online sources. "Fact Finds" listed on the Home Page feature trends and statistics meant to galvanise action - for instance, "In January 2004, less than 5 percent of network reporting covered candidates' positions on issues that matter to Americans most. (MediaTenor)"

Political Development.