It's time to 'tell us the truth'
November 19Forget Microsoft. Forget Bell Telephone, forget Standard Oil. The most dangerous monopolies have formed right under your nose and, chances are, you've never heard about any of them. There hasn't been any front-page news or 60 Minutes expos?©s concerning these conglomerates. In fact, there's been a veritable media blackout when it comes to reporting on companies like Clear Channel, a radio giant that owns a majority of the U.S.'s radio stations, or the June 2 Federal Communications Commission mandate that would allow the Clear Channels of the world to grow even bigger. But thanks to a diverse group of musicians and activists, the word is getting out. The "Tell Us the Truth" tour, which will appear at the Berklee Performance Center this Sunday, is part of an effort to educate the masses about the effects and existence of media conglomeration. The tour features British singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg, best known here in the States for collaborating with Wilco on a set of Woody Guthrie's unfinished songs; country/roots-rocker Steve Earle, who recently courted controversy with his song "John Walker's Blues" about John Walker Lindh; R&B singer Lester Chambers, who scored a hit in the '60s with "Time Has Come Today;" and former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, who will be performing with an acoustic guitar in place of his usual amps and effects pedals. Jill Sobule and Boots Reilly of the Coup will also appear, along with comedian/actress Janeane Garofalo, who will emcee the event. Artists have been affected by media consolidation more than anyone, both financially and creatively, so it's not surprising that they're the ones heading an initiative to stop it. Jenny Toomey, the event's organizer and one of the musicians appearing on the bill, described the environment under media monopolies as a "climate of McCarthyism," one where artists must self-censor their message or be censored. Toomey specifically cited the fate of the Dixie Chicks who, after making disparaging remarks about President Bush, were pulled from Clear Channel's numerous playlists. In addition to media conglomeration, the tour will also focus on the issues of Fair Trade. The problem clearly affects the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans but continues, according to the "Tell Us the Truth" participants, to have inadequate coverage. Toomey linked the silence of the media on Fair Trade issues to effects of the institution's growing consolidation. One of the goals of the tour is to encourage people make connections, whether they are between media consolidation and Fair Trade, or coverage of the war in Iraq. The multitude of concerns potentially raised by the tour reflected in the variety of groups supporting the event. From union, environmental, and religious organizations to Rock the Vote, which will be registering voters for the 2004 elections at the concert, groups across the board are taking this opportunity to make their concerns heard. Despite the liberal leanings of its performers, the message of "Tell Us the Truth" is decidedly non-partisan. "These are not radical positions we're taking," Toomey said. "A message is a message, not a liberal issue. The job of the tour is to speak out to anyone who will listen to us. You've got hardcore conservatives, working class Americans who've lost their jobs, and liberal protest kids who are mad about the drop in minimum wage in Mexico." The tour, which began in Madison, WI and will end in Washington, D.C., is now in full swing and is constantly attracting more and more people, despite being almost entirely ignored by the mainstream media. For tickets, interested parties can either go through Ticketmaster or call the Berklee Performance Center at 617-747-2261.
