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The news media have a tremendous impact in our society. With this role comes an onerous responsibility. As a result, the media have presented themselves as highly responsible watchdogs for the public interest. But far from providing democracy's oxygen, they legitimize a fundamentally undemocratic system. Instead of keeping the public informed, they manufacture public consent for policies which favour a corporate elite.

Democracy's Oxygen begins with an overview of the alarming context of concentration of ownership in media industries. Case studies of two corporate media barons Conrad Black and Paul Desmarais demonstrate their neoconservative ideology, their influence and their quest for power.

Democracy's Oxygen presents the hard facts that illustrate the complicity between government and corporate media interests in Canada, for example:

In 1994, when Rogers Communications was buying up Maclean Hunter Inc. for $3.1 billion, it required government approval through the CRTC. In the same year, Rogers and an affiliated company contributed a combined total of about $100,000 to federal Liberal party campaign coffers.

In an unprecedented step, Jean Chretien's cabinet overturned the CRTC in 1995, granting a direct-to-home satelite license to a company run by Chretian's son-in-law Andre Desmarais, son to Paul Desmarais.

The news media mythology about dedication to the public interest is contrasted with substantial evidence that the news is largely a corporate/management product. The result is 'media think': group think on a vast scale which pervades the media and through which they promote narrow ideological dogmas about the world around us, such as : globalization, privatization, social cuts and deficit hysteria.

Here is what the critics are saying about Winter's book:

"Once the hinge of democracy, the media now specialize in `junk food news' Winter's analysis is strong." Globe and Mail

"James Winter has hit on a hot topic. Contains truths which only those in an advanced state of denial could ignore." Ottawa Citizen

"Democracy's Oxygen is an important book because it enhances the political discourse on a critical subject and refutes the view that those concerned with corporate control of the news are wacky conspiracy-seekers. Clearly, one doesn't have to believe in any kind of grand conspiracy to see why ownership of the news media by a handful of people can't be good for democracy." Literary Review of Canada

"Winter's book is an invaluable reference tool. Its research is particularly strong in the profiles of Black, his fellow baron Paul Desmarais, and the publishing giant Quebecor." Quill & Quire

"In the increasingly stifling atmosphere of Canadian democracy, Winter's book is a breath of fresh air. Winter admirably writes in direct and accessible language." Canadian Dimension

"Democracy's Oxygen, by media critic James Winter, is a timely release. Winter's main point that the left needs to develop and vastly expand its own media is undeniable." Briarpatch

"A valuable resource. Winter presents a well-documented case that Black has a definite political agenda, and his acquisition of newspapers the world over is a conscious grab for political power." Hour Magazine

"Democracy's Oxygen is a fact-packed examination of the influence of ideology and ownership in the media. One of the best things about Winter's work is that it stands outside the loop, where the flatness of the media landscape isn't so evident." Now Magazine

"In the wake of Conrad Black's grab of Southam, James Winter's book could not be more timely. I unreservingly recommend it." The Peak

"Vividly describes why Conrad Black is probably the most influential opinion-maker in Canada today. This book is a must for all of us concerned about the direction Canada is heading." Howard Pawley, Former Premier of Manitoba

"This book is about nothing less than the corporate takeover of public expression. Read it." Maude Barlow, Council for Canadians

"The combination of his [Winter's] deep desire for fundamental political and media reforms, and his relentless examples backed up by facts, figures and quotations makes his a distinct voice at a distinct intersection." Barrie Zwicker, publisher of Sources and media critic for Vision TV
For a full review, and media related information visit: http://www.sources.com

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Mediasaurus

The Black Market

Paul Desmarais and Power

The Public Interest

News as a Management Product

Media Think

Project Censored Canada

Patterns in Under-Reported Stories

Conclusions

Appendices

Media Corporation Assets

Media-Corporate Director Board Interlocks

Dailies by Chain Ownership

Alternative Media

1995 Compensation for CEO's

Newspaper Ownership by Province

Selected Wealthy Canadians

Index

About the author

James Winter, PhD, is an associate professor of Communication Studies at the University of Windsor. He has edited and authored numerous publications dealing with the media and society. They include Common Cents: Media Portrayal of the Gulf War and Other Events, Black Rose Books and Silent Revolution: Media, Democracy, and the Free Trade Debate.James Winter is currently at work on Media Think: The Neoconservative Dogma of the News Media.

Check out his Web site Flipside: Canadian Alternative Media from the University of Windsor, Windsor.

COMMUNICATIONS

200 pages, bibliography, index

Paperback ISBN: 1-55164-060-0 $23.99
Hardcover ISBN: 1-55164-061-9 $52.99

Prices are in Canadian dollars in Canada and in US dollars elsewhere

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