Episode #15 Media and Democracy, part 2

The July broadcast of Reform Radio continues the conversation with Ohio University Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Algis Mickunas on the importance of independent, critical, truth-telling media in our democratic republic, the first part of which was rebroadcast in June. Truth telling by today's journalism stars is rare, as they function more as official mouthpieces for the corporate and governmental elite. Last week, the journalism icon and standard-bearer news anchor, Walter Cronkite, died. Glenn Greenwald in a recent Salon.com column starkly pointed out the differences between today's journalists and those cut in the mold of Cronkite, I.F. Stone, and Edward R. Murrow. The failure of media and journalists, as part of a constitutionally protected "fourth estate" Mickunas discusses.

Media and Democracy (replay of Episode #10)

The June broadcast of Reform Radio is a rebroadcast of episode 10, featuring the first of a two-part conversation with Ohio University Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Algis Mickunas. Mickunas is world renowned for his scholarship on contemporary European philosophy, Marxism, phenomenology and hermeneutics. In this segment Mickunas discusses the relationship of the media and a healthy, functioning American democracy. Mickunas says that democracy requires an active, involved citizenry that keeps an eye on not only its elected representatives but its media as well. "If we don't participate, democracy is gone. Democracy doesn't grow on trees, doesn't sit in some sort of a brain cell," says Mickunas. Mickunas explains how and why citizens must be involved with their governments in order to legitimate them and keep them focused on the people's business, and how media is intimately involved in the political process. He also outlines how media have neglected their roles as the constitutionally privileged, so-called "fourth estate." Be sure to tune in next month for the second part.

Episode #10: Media and Democracy

The January broadcast of Reform Radio features one of three conversations with Ohio University Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Algis Mickunas. Mickunas is world renowned for his scholarship on contemporary European philosophy, Marxism, phenomenology and hermeneutics. In this segment Mickunas discusses the relationship of the media and a healthy, functioning American democracy. Mickunas says that democracy requires an active, involved citizenry that keeps an eye on not only its elected representatives but its media as well. "If we don't participate, democracy is gone. Democracy doesn't grow on trees, doesn't sit in some sort of a brain cell," says Mickunas. Mickunas explains how and why citizens must be involved with their governments in order to legitimate them and keep them focused on the people's business and how media is intimately involved in the political process. He also outlines how media have neglected their roles as the constitutionally privileged, so-called "fourth estate."

Episode #6: Education and Democracy

The August broadcast of Reform Radio, featured Ohio University Emeritus Professor of Philosophy Algis Mickunas, who discussed the importance of education, which he considers the "fifth estate," to democracy. Mickunas has written several books and articles about democracy, tracing its roots back to Athens, Greece. A truly educated populace, say democratic theorists as Mickunas, is crucial for the maintenance of an effectively functioning democracy. In addition, throughout the show, several questions are posed from a quiz on freedom of speech. You can download the brief quiz and answers.

Episode 6 podcast