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Abstract
One key marker of mass social movements transitioning to participatory democratic governance is popular media access. This essay argues that democratic media access by public constituencies becomes a site for constructing social revolution and simultaneously a manifest empirical measure of the extent of democratic participation in the production, distribution, and use of communication with new cultural possibilities. The participatory production practices (with citizens producing and hosting their own programs) and the democratic content (of oral histories, local issues, critiques of government and business, and everyday vernacular) reflect the hegemony of emerging ‘Bolivarian’ twenty-first century socialism expressed as popular participation in media production. Bolstered by constitutional changes and public funding, popular social movements of civil society, indigenous, women, and working class organizations have gained revolutionary ground by securing in practice the right of media production. Findings indicate that public and community media (that move beyond alternative sites of local expression and concerns) provide a startling revolutionary contrast to the commercial media operations in every nation. Popular media constructions suggest a new radically democratic cultural hegemony based on human solidarity with collective, participatory decision-making and cooperation offering real possibilities and experiences for increased equality and social justice.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Acknowledgements
This work furthers previous observations, presentations and drafts given at several conferences. The author thanks colleagues from the Geopolitical Economy Research Group at the University of Manitoba and the Global Studies Association of North America who provided insights and suggestions to improve this essay.
Notes
1. Katz and Ellner, “Crisis in Venezuela.”
2. Rodriguez-Garavito, Barrett, and Chavez, “Utopia Reborn?,” 23.
3. Robinson, Latin America and Global Capitalism.
4. Tapia, “Bolivia: The Left and the Social Movements,” 224–5.
5. Gonzalo Vega, “For a More Engaged Society in Venezuela.”
6. Iacobelli and Gironi, “Venezuela Is One of Few Countries.”
7. Venezuela en Noticias, “Community Media in Venezuela.”
8. Another instance of social movement governance is the parliamentary process of ‘Legislator Pueblo’, where citizens propose laws directly to the National Assembly. In 2011, legislators approved a tenant’s movement initiative, the Law on Renting, protecting tenants and small landlords from speculators and poor housing conditions. The National Assembly passed a draft of a media workers’ proposal on ‘Communications for People’s Power’ in 2012, to support 1200 community media operations through increased networking, funding and community control.
9. Artz, “TeleSUR.”
10. Wynter, “Venezuela: Creating a New Radical Media.”
11. Cassel, “Avila TV in Venezuela.”
12. Interview with Antonio Mellado at Avila TV, June 2008.
13. Fernandes, Who Can Stop the Drums?, 169.
14. Azzellini, Communes and Workers Control, 26.
15. Ibid.
16. Weffer, “Entrevista.”
17. Catia TVe Collective, “Catia TVe, Television.”
18. Carlos Lujo. Interview at Radio El Primero Negro. Caracas, Venezuela. June 2008.
19. Janicke, “Venezuela Strengthens Community Media.”
20. Harnecker, “Workplace Democracy and Collective Consciousness,” 512.
21. Artz, Pink Tide.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Lee Artz
Lee Artz, former machinist, is a Professor of media studies at Purdue University Northwest, teaching courses in political economy, popular culture and international communication. He has published more than 50 articles and book chapters, and 10 books including Pink Tide: Media Access and Political Power in Latin America, Global Entertainment Media: A Critical Introduction, Bring ‘Em On! Media and Politics in the Iraq War, The Globalization of Corporate Media Hegemony and Cultural Hegemony in the United States. Dr. Artz is currently Director of Graduate Studies in Communication and Director of the Center for Global Studies at Purdue Northwest.