Our Problems Are Much Bigger Than Just Tucker Carlson

Daily Action
Written By Barbara Isaacman

QUICK READ:  Tucker Carlson is only a symptom of a much bigger problem. How do we define “news” and identify propaganda masquerading as news? Is it possible to regulate the impact of misinformation on our democracy without its dismissal as partisan game playing or an attack on the press?


CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

Ding dong the witch is dead. Tucker Carlson has been given the pink slip. But Carlson is only a symptom of a bigger problem. 

How do we define “news” and identify propaganda masquerading as news? Is it possible to regulate the impact of misinformation on our democracy without its dismissal as partisan game playing or an attack on the press?

As complex as this problem is, we cannot afford to step back from it while litigation and dollar-driven decisions by media moguls rein in only the worst excesses. 

Violent mobs have already descended upon the Capitol. Propaganda channels and new talking headaches pop up daily, including within Congress itself. And, social media and Artificial Intelligence are not going away and will continue to erode our grasp of truth and evidence.

To address our nation’s deep divisions, we must  advance our discussions about the press. Should we call for hearings? Renew a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the postmodern information age? Invest in civics education and protect libraries from being defunded? Make the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent? Expand liability laws to make media networks more vulnerable?

Congress must get to work on these thorny issues.

ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

*SEN. WYDEN:* Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Before Congress can address the nation’s deep divisions and pass meaningful legislation, it is necessary to talk about the press. What should be considered includes:

  • calling for hearings;
  • renewing a version of the Fairness Doctrine that speaks to the realities of our postmodern information age;
  • investing more in civics education and protecting libraries from being defunded;
  • making the scoring of “fake news” on social media more transparent;
  • making media networks increasingly vulnerable to liability lawsuits.

FURTHER READING

Barbara Isaacman
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