http://www.tennessean.com/nation-world/archives/03/03/30705360.shtml?Eleme nt_ID=30705360
Freedom of speech threatened, Gore says By MARGO RIVERS Staff Writer MURFREESBORO � With fewer companies owning more media outlets, the lack of tolerance for opposing views increases, former Vice President Al Gore told a college audience here last night. Using recent attacks on the Dixie Chicks that followed anti-war comments by one group member as an example, Gore said big corporations threaten the true meaning of democracy because representatives � through various media outlets � try to stamp out opposing views with financial retaliation. Earlier this month, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush for the war on Iraq while she was performing in Britain. As a result, many radio stations across the country stopped playing the group's songs. ''They were made to feel un-American and risked economic retaliation because of what was said,'' Gore said. ''Our democracy has taken a hit. Our best protection is free and open debate.'' Gore's concern over limiting opposition was one of the topics in his lecture at Middle Tennessee State University to about 250 students, faculty and community members. As head of the John Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies, Gore talked about how the mass entertainment media has affected the American family and democracy. ''Mass media has had a pervasive impact on families. Most families don't have dinner together � and of those that do, a television is on during the entire dinner.'' Besides substituting for family communication, Gore said the entertainment industry has contributed to immobility, debts, lower voter participation and increased cynicism. He said his biggest concern is people's inability to hear and express an opposing view. He called it ''an extremely serious problem.'' MTSU student Ada Egenji agreed. She said she noticed that peace rallies haven't gotten much coverage since the war started last week. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
