In conjunction with anti-war protests in more than 60 cities worldwide, Albuquerque staged a series of activities Saturday, which ended with a speech from award-winning radio journalist and political activist Amy Goodman.
As host of Democracy Now!, a show heard weekdays by millions on National Public Radio, Goodman is at home with an audience. This was on full display at Kirtland Air Force Base, as she rallied more than 1,000 protesters. But it was her speech about alternative media, nuclear research in New Mexico and U.S. foreign policy that left the most lasting impression.
Goodman was introduced to the capacity crowd of 2,040 at Popejoy Hall by Carol Miller, former Green Party New Mexico congressional candidate and National Health Care Policy advocate.
"Amy has gone beyond the concept of community radio, Miller said. "She has created an international radio community. She gives a voice to the voiceless."
Dressed in black urban-combat fatigues, Goodman drove home messages such as the need for alternatives to mainstream media outlets.
Goodman thanked New Mexicans for putting together "the biggest public media collaboration in this country." She mentioned KUNM as a prime example and urged it to join forces with public access television stations.
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"Television equals power," she said.
Three major networks, ABC, NBC and CBS are among the agencies that have to be held accountable, she said.
Goodman said that broadcast journalists are not the only ones engaging in misleading reportage. She cited an article in which The New York Times had reported an attendance of 60,000 at an October 2002 protest in Washington, D.C., when the actual figure was closer to 125,000.
After being inundated with angry calls, The Times ran a story about "the incredible growth of the peace movement."
Independent media outlets which are not tied to large corporations are the keys to alternative voices being heard, Goodman said. She added that "indie" coverage of the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle was a "huge turning point."
New Mexico-specific issues were also part of the evening's anti-war agenda. Goodman pointed to the state's massive proliferation of nuclear weapons and mismanagement of funds.
"There are billions of dollars being poured into nuclear research, how can we explain that New Mexico is the poorest state in the union?" she said.
"One second of this war will cost the same as a year of public education in New York," Goodman said. "We have to ask the question, 'Is it worth dying for oil?'"
As a possible cause for global anti-American sentiment, Goodman offered the Bush administration's double standard in foreign policy with North Korea and Iraq. While war with Iraq seems imminent, North Korea is being dealt with diplomatically.
Prior to the speech, Goodman attended a reception at University House, where about 50 contributors to her show had gathered to meet the journalist and discuss the day's happenings, said Richard Towne, KUNM general manager.
Goodman's appearance was the latest installment in UNM's 21 Century Speakers Series. Future guests will include documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, speaking Feb. 20 and author Isabel Allende, appearing March 26.
Democracy Now! can be heard Monday-Friday on KUNM FM 89.9.
