Carlisle Floyd Quotes

I used to do volunteer work in poor areas of Cairo, and people would gather their money together to get a satellite dish. You'd see them huddling around and for the first time seeing issues being debated on TV that had never been talked about before. And that is the biggest promoter of democracy you could possibly have.

Journalist, in my opinion, are mediators between the Information Age and our democracy.

The press doesn't matter as much like it used to matter.

News - communicating news and ideas, I guess - is my passion. And giving people alternatives so that they have two papers to read (and) alternative television channels.

If we don't challenge each other to use our platforms for better than our niches or what our quote-unquote brand is, what are we doing as influencers? If we can't activate our audiences at the times it's important or needed, then what do we have these platforms for?

I really do think we're going through a period of concentration of ownership of media, and we're starting to see the effects at the editorial level, and it's all bad. This increased pressure for profits every quarter, smaller news hole, less coverage of important stuff - the extent that it's become one giant infotainment industry.

Obviously, local elections are where you can make the most difference, but it's great when everyone starts talking about what they believe in.

I worry that we're not getting enough of the news that we need to make informed judgments as citizens.

I remember in the '70s or the early '80s, there were a lot of viewpoints represented on TV. And I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened in the '90s.

U.S.A. Today is what happens when the coupon section takes over the newspaper.

Journalism is a way of voicing opinion, of participating in the political, social, or cultural debate.

Sarah Palin may best serve her country by entering the media fray.

A key part of our democracy is having a marketplace of ideas, open forums where people with diverse viewpoints can be heard and treated with respect.

Stay engaged; be part of the process.

I don't think politics just happens in Parliament. It happens on the streets and in classrooms.

For newspapers to continue to play an important role in civic engagement, they need more access to capital. Their decline has created a real threat to independent reporting at the state and local level.

The one thing that is distinctive about America historically has been the fact that we are all able to engage in public discourse without the political becoming personal.

I know it's very comfortable to sit at home and stay with your family, kids and friends and not worry about anything. But with the platform we have we should be the people that scream at the social issues and put them out there so as a society we can move forward.

Courage is the lifeblood of democracy.

At the 'Guardian,' we have a special relationship with our readers. This relationship is not just about the news; it's about a shared sense of purpose and a commitment to understand and illuminate our times.

I'm fascinated by current events and the privilege of trying to share it with other people and tell a story.

Film is one small voice in a great cacophony of noise from newspapers, from the television, from social media, so it can have a little dent, you know? It can help to create a climate of opinion.

The goal is to talk about the issues that are happening in this country with the ultimate goal of making change.

One of the major differences I see in the political climate today is that there is less collective support for coming to critical consciousness – in communities, in institutions, among friends.

Publicity, discussion, and agitation are necessary to accomplish any work of lasting benefit.