Amy Goodman: Independent Media - Speaking Up for Democracy

Insights from Democracy Now's Amy Goodman

Syracuse University's Hendricks Chapel

From the flier distributed by Syracuse Peace Council: 

Don't miss the dynamic host of Democracy Now! sharing insights about the role of independent media in developing meaningful democracy and transforming our nation and world.

Democracy Now! is the largest community media collaboration in the United States, airing on over 900 stations across the United States and beyond. Hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program. Time Magazine named Democracy Now! its “Pick of the Podcasts,” along with NBC’s Meet the Press.

Co-organized by the Tully Center for Free Speech

Co-sponsors include: Newhouse School of Public Communications, Division of Advancement and External Affairs, Anthropology Department, Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Geography Department, Hendricks Chapel, The Institute for the Study of the Judiciary, Politics, and the Media, Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration, Political Science Department, School of Education, Sociology Department, University College, Women and Gender Studies Department and the Writing Program.

Amy Goodman 

The Independent of London called Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! "an inspiration"; PULSE named her one of the 20 Top Global Media Figures of 2009. Her latest book, Breaking the Sound Barrier, proves the power of independent journalism in the struggle for a better world. She co-authored the first three bestsellers with her brother, journalist David Goodman: Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times (2008), Static: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders, and the People Who Fight Back (2006) and The Exception to the Rulers: Exposing Oily Politicians, War Profiteers, and the Media That Love Them (2004). She writes a weekly column (also produced as an audio podcast) syndicated by King Features, for which she was recognized in 2007 with the James Aronson Award for Social Justice Reporting.

Goodman has received the American Women in Radio and Television Gracie Award; the Paley Center for Media’s She’s Made It Award; and the Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship. Her reporting on East Timor and Nigeria has won numerous awards, including the George Polk Award, Robert F. Kennedy Prize for International Reporting, and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award. She has also received awards from the Associated Press, United Press International, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Project Censored. Goodman received the first ever Communication for Peace Award from the World Association for Christian Communication. She was also honored by the National Council of Teachers of English with the George Orwell Award for Distinguished Contribution to Honesty and Clarity in Public Language.

Democracy Now! 

Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Pioneering the largest public media collaboration in the U.S., Democracy Now! is broadcast on Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public access, PBS, satellite television (DISH network: Free Speech TV ch. 9415 and Link TV ch. 9410; DIRECTV: Free Speech TV ch. 348 and Link TV ch. 375); and on the internet. DN!’s podcast is one of the most popular on the web.Democracy Now!’s War and Peace Report provides listeners with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media, including independent and international journalists, ordinary people from around the world who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots leaders and peace activists, artists, academics and independent analysts. In addition, Democracy Now! hosts real debates–debates between people who substantially disagree, such as between the White House or the Pentagon spokespeople on the one hand, and grassroots activists on the other.