Democratise the media |
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Kathy Lowe |
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Venezuela’s decision to reclaim the public airwaves used by Radio Caracas Television prompts a wider question for socialists: what would a revolutionary model of the media look like? Venezuela is a society in transition. But a revolutionary government that had already overthrown capitalism would be taking all kinds of steps to redistribute land and resources in favour of the poorest and to bring the country’s assets under workers’ control. This would include the means of communication. As socialism is based on the full democratic freedoms including freedom of expression, the emphasis would be on plurality. Debating, defending and deepening the revolution would demand the widest possible access to information and discussion for everyone. There would obviously be a place for the revolutionary party to have its own press and programmes. There would also be room for dissent and minority views. Organisations such as independent trade unions, peasant groups, indigenous communities, women’s groups, gay and lesbian campaigners and churches, would be guaranteed media access or helped to set up their own media. Democratically run national, regional, and local media with unionised workers and community participation, would be the objective. Privately owned newspapers and broadcasters would be allowed to continue as long as they provided a public service and public access and gave their workers and the community representation in running them. Space and resources would be made available for developing independent newspapers, film, theatre, film, TV and radio production. Media awareness would be part of the popular education efforts. The skills and solidarity of media professionals at home and abroad would be harnessed to offer communications training to union and community leaders, neighbourhood committees and minorities to help them to organise and campaign. Inevitably, the population of a revolutionary state would still be exposed to the influence of the media moguls and their neoliberal backers through satellite and regional broadcasts crossing national boundaries. But democratic free-thinking and transparency in society, coupled with genuine improvements in workers’ lives would be the socialist way to combat reactionary propaganda. If Venezuela tries to democratise its system of communication as it moves in a revolutionary direction, it deserves the support of socialists everywhere. |
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