C
overage
of t
he anti-war
marches of
early
2003 may have disappeared from
the
myopic
mainst
ream
media, but the effects these unparalleled events
had on
millions
of participants around the world will undoubtedly
be
more lasting.
The
stakes are high. The United States has openly
threatened
to abandon as “
irrelevant
”
the system of international law
s
,
treaties, and institutions created specifically to prevent a catastrophic
third world war.
Most
marchers
understood
the gravity
of
this
—
despite
the lack of dialogue on the subject within corporate channels of
communication
—
and
now wish to continue to press for peace instead of perpetual war,
justice instead of
retribution,
democracy instead of
corporate
oligarchy
.
Many
reports of the protests revealed marchers who had not previously
engaged in political action, but who were so concerned by the policies
of the U.S. that they braved the threat of ridicule and ostracism
(especially within the U.S.) to voice their anxiety.
At
Z,
we’ve
noticed
a marked increase of
interest
in
Z Magazine,
ZNet and Z Video Productions
within
the past year
among those
new to a
viewpoint
that does not equate capitalism with democracy
.
This is undoubtedly true for
many other left media outlets as well.
We,
within the left media, need to make sure we continue to reach out
to
the newly
politicized
public and listen to their concerns.
Likewise,
those who have started to see beneath the veil of corporate media
absurdities need to continue to educate themselves using the vast
array of resources available through non-corporate means
—
alternative
publications, alternative radio, alternative video, and progressive
websites
—
despite
the pressure from all sides to re-assimilate into the corporate-patriotic
mindset.
To
that end,
Z
will continue to
offer analysis of world events,
report
s
of
actions
in opposition to oppression
,
and suggestions for
alternative
visions.
Additionally,
we
regularly
offer listings
in our Zaps sectio
n
of media,
groups, and events intended to promote positive social transformation.
In
previous
issues
, we’ve
also offered long lists of websites presenting progressive points
of view.
Below,
is a short list of progressive
alternative
video producers, distributors and advocacy groups trying to break
into
the
most heavily
fortified, but most “mass” of communication media.