The silence of traditional media

Last Updated on 2022-07-08 by Joop Beris

As the discussion and protests against ACTA heat up across Europe, there are several media, such as newspapers and TV, that remain silent. The protests don’t make it to the evening news, there are no articles dedicated to ACTA in newspapers. That is a shame, since these media traditionally reach a large number of people. Now, those people have no idea what ACTA is or what all the fuss is about. I asked in my immediate surroundings and most people shrug and tell me they have no idea either. When I enlighten them about what ACTA will mean for the future of the Internet, for instance, they all react the same way: shock, disbelief and then anger. Surely, our government would not let something let this happen? Well, the sad truth is that our government, our representatives, have no idea how this Internet thingy works and allow themselves to be dazzled by talk and figures of the content Mafia industry.

Odd, you may think. And you would be right to think so. Where once newspapers and TV showed the news, influenced public opinion, played important parts in revolutions, they are now silent. Perhaps though, this is understandable. I can imagine radio stations and TV networks having deals with the content industry. So it may be in the best interest of traditional media to remain silent on anything involving ACTA. No news is good news, right?

Well, they can continue ignoring us, continue to deny us a voice. Fortunately, there is the Internet and fortunately, we do know how to use it. And we will continue to spread our message. We will continue to petition our politicians. We will continue with our protests. We do not need the traditional media to be our voice. The Internet itself is our voice. We’ll be in touch.