Democratizing Communications And The Media: Focus And Scope (Leon, 2002)
Osvaldo Leon, for the World Social Forum, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2002, states that the WSF is legitimate space
to catalyze energy and foster the emergence of a social movement under
the banner of democratization of communications, and
outlines a SOCIAL AGENDA IN COMMUNICATION.
The new spiral of violence and lies that abruptly burst upon the world following the attacks in the US on September 11, has formed an adverse scene for democratic struggle. This adversity obliges such struggles to step up their efforts, not only for peace and justice, but also for truth. This means challenging "excesses" in the manipulation and distortion of information, as well as the foundations and conditions that allow this to happen. Similar concerns are what has motivated the fight for democratization of the media during recent decades.
With this premise in mind, we propose that this conference should focus its attention on outlining a SOCIAL AGENDA IN COMMUNICATION. Being a cross-cutting theme that concerns all human relations, the important thing is to situate the central points for definition of strategies and aims, in order to build and give impetus to this social movement. (see link for rest of article)
