Media Mindfulness

Roses are red, violets are blue, the world sucks, and so do corporations…

Below is Democracy Now!’s main lineup for its Valentine’s Day broadcast. I don’t know about you, but I celebrated the day with my loved one. Yes, it’s important to acknowledge all the bad, nasty things going on in the world, but sometimes I think Leftist media are so darned dour. As much as I appreciate the service indy media provide in presenting alternate and dissenting voices, I just think this kind of distorted perspective is damaging to the soul. Honestly, I feel so icky after listening to Democracy Now! I’m just wondering how productive it is to always be in such a state of horror. Of course we should not stick our heads in the sand, but for once please celebrate life and take a chill pill. Why not devote a day to beauty and love? Seriously. All protest and no play makes lefties very dull boys and girls….

Democracy Now!: radio and TV news:

Valentine’s Day: Labor Conditions at US-Owned Plantations Show Hidden Realities of Flower Industry

Today is Valentine’s Day. Chocolate, flowers, diamonds. How can gifts that bring so much happiness have come from so much pain? We begin our coverage with a look at the flower industry. Nora Ferm of the International Labor Rights Fund talks about a new report on labor conditions at US-owned flower plantations in Colombia and Ecuador. We’re also joined by Beatriz Fuentes, President of the Sintrasplendor Union at Dole’s largest flower plantation in Colombia which has become the site of a growing worker’s struggle. [includes rush transcript]

“Diamond Life”: Documentary Examines How Diamonds Funded the Civil War in Sierra Leone

We turn now to the issue of conflict diamonds — also known as blood diamonds. The documentary “Diamond Life” looks at how diamonds funded the civil war in Sierra Leone. [includes rush transcript]

Child Labor: The Hidden Ingredient to the Billion-Dollar Chocolate Industry?

On Valentine’s Day, chocolate is the currency in which people are supposed to trade their love. Little do they know that chocolate might have been made with slave labor. We speak with Brian Campbell, an attorney with the International Labor Rights Fund. [includes rush transcript]

Global Witness Founder Charmian Gooch: “The Diamond Industry is Failing to Live Up to Its Promises”

For more on the diamond industry, we’re joined by Global Witness founder and director Charmian Gooch. Gooch says diamond companies have failed to deliver on promises to reduce the prevalence of blood diamonds.

Technorati Tags: Democracy Now!