1/28/2005 Porto Alegre, Brazil - Participants at the World Social Forum heard today that corporate control of the media and media consolidation is a worldwide phenomena. Ignacio Ramonet, president of Media Global Watch, said “in France a defense contractor just bought La Figaro. The danger of this is that the corporations, who are buying up major media companies have no, or very little, connection with the media industry and thus no commitment to journalistic integrity.” Ramonet also said that newspapers are decreasing in popularity as a means of communication. He said “this is part of a trend that has happened in many other industries.” Technology is affecting print media’s ability to stay competitive. Newspapers are losing 2% of their readership each year and the trend is expected to continue.

The discussions at the World Social Forum about corporate media accountability and alternative/independent media go well together and are not seen as competitive strategies. Most participants believe that both approaches to the work are necessary. The forum continues through Sunday, January 30, 2005.
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