State-controlled media
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Thursday, July 26, 2001
By Joseph Farah© 2001 WorldNetDaily.com
Do you think the big problem with the media in this country is that the state doesn't dominate them enough?
That is the incredible conclusion of Michael Moore, the director responsible for bringing the world "The Awful Truth" TV series, "And Justice for All," "TV Nation" and 1989's "Roger and Me."
"We're in the dark ages in this country right now," he tells Murmurs.com. "We're the only country in the whole world without dominant state-controlled media. In a democracy, the state is supposed to be the people. So if it's truly the people, I'd rather run the risk of a government truly run by the people than a corporation doing it."
Unbelievable. Stunning. Stalinesque. It's rare that someone like Moore, as outspoken as he is, actually comes right out and says what he thinks about the First Amendment, about free expression, about the role of government in our lives.
Moore also makes it clear in his interview that his real beef is his own inability to make the kinds of movies and shows he wants to make by operating in the free-enterprise system.
"All my stuff lately has been funded from Europe," he says. "The TV show was from the BBC and Channel 4. The film I'm working on is from a German studio. Canadians funded the last season of "The Awful Truth. … Other cultures that haven't had the Moral Majority suppression have moved their culture forward. We haven't."
Such arrogance. Such candor. Nothing I have seen or read lately better exemplifies the totalitarian instincts of those who would ramrod their ideas down the throats of Americans if only they had the chance.
I know what some of you are thinking: "Farah, if you had the chance, you'd do the same thing. Wouldn't you like to get a government grant to support WorldNetDaily?"
The answer to that question is an unequivocal "NO!"
WorldNetDaily never has and never will allow itself to be co-opted by government or special interests. We never have and never will seek to force others to listen to our news reports or our opinions. We never have and never will coerce others to support our endeavor to renew and reinvigorate the free press in America.
The trouble with the media in this country is just the opposite of what Moore suggests. The press and the pop culture are tied inextricably to the wants and wishes of government. The partnership is just too close. The skepticism of raw government power is too weak. Big corporations that run the media elite know all too well where their bread is buttered – in the form of licenses and political favors. They have forgotten what the principal role of a free press in a free society is – to serve as a watchdog on government.
The biggest threat to freedom in America or any society is and always is from government. Don't forget that.
Moore talks about democracy. America is not a democracy, thank God. Democracy is a codeword for these people. It's a trap they set. It's the same ploy used by totalitarians the world over.
Michael Moore is a spoiled little would-be despot. He wants you to support his little enterprises under the threat of violence, pure and simple. That's the way the government – even the U.S. government – works.
Think about it. Do you feel good about the taxes you spend now? Do you think the money collected by the Internal Revenue Service is really supporting the people's will? Would you like to be on the hook for even more? Would you like it if Washington were calling all the shots with regard to what you see and hear and read?
That's what Michael Moore and his ilk want.
What I want are more choices, more attention on government fraud, waste, abuse and corruption, more watchdogging, more voices, more investigative digging. Can you imagine that happening if the press in America becomes even more controlled? Can you imagine that happening if we rely on government to investigate itself? Can you fathom that there are people like Michael Moore who believe the government simply doesn't have enough power over our lives, our thoughts, our opinions and the flow of information?
But just to show people like Moore how serious I am about this, I invite him – right now, publicly – to counter what I am saying here in the pages of WorldNetDaily any time he wants. Use this open forum, Mr. Moore, and we'll show you what a free press for a free people is really all about.
Let the dialogue begin.
Joseph Farah is editor and chief executive officer of WorldNetDaily.com and writes a daily column.