I find it downright astounding and incomprehensible that in the digital cable universe there is still not even one television station that teeters exclusively to the so-called left side of the spectrum. In an era when television has striven to re-package itself in the face of fierce competition with the internet with claims of providing a plethora of choice, how is it possible that there is a channel devoted entirely to golf but nothing at all that focuses on the galaxy of views, opinions, beliefs and visions of the counterculture? In essence...why is there no Adbusters TV?!
Though I am sure I am not the first one to suggest this possibility, several years ago, a friend and I looked into starting a television station directed toward this end. I realized that in order for the critical mass to be achieved on a number of important fronts, it was no longer enough to write revolutionary words and hand out flyers at protests, to start a nifty website denouncing the system, or even to publish a magazine that, albeit, raised consciousness for a few minds now and then, but for the most part, was simply preaching to the converts. What was needed was a channel, accessible to everyone, all the time, so that when Joe Blue Collar was at home flipping through the channels during a commercial break, he would stumble upon something that could very well change his life.
Was it too idealistic to expect such a thing? Idealistic yes, unreasonable no. I always marvelled over the fact that no one had introduced such a channel yet. That was some half a dozen years ago, and still, no one has (at least that I am aware of anyway, given that I don't really watch much television anymore). Part of the problem may lie in the fact that television programming is a business, with some notable exceptions, like public broadcasting and community access television. Countercultural programming has found a limited home on such stations but it is not their mandate to promote such material exclusively. And of course, as we all know, corporate-driven stations will tend not to run programming that offends their sponsors. This is entirely understandable and that is why my friend and I knew that the station would only thrive if it was incorporated as a non-profit entity. We looked into incorporation and obtained information on applying for a license from the CRTC and even went so far as to fill in the application, but that unfortunately is as far as we ever made it. I guess we realized how gargantuan the task was that lay before us. We were both armchair brainstormers, not activaters. Besides, neither one of us had a dime to our names and we knew that some capital would be required to get the ball rolling. We thought of approaching Adbusters even back then, but we never acted on that impulse. Basically, I think we both chickened out.
What would the content of such a station consist of? Well, this is where the possibilities appear to be practically endless and quite exciting. I thought of calling the station “Channel Zero”. I always liked the renegade ring to it. The channel's mission statement would address a growing demand for independent programming on issues of social justice, politics, activism and spirituality. Channel Zero would be a distinctive and attractive alternative to mainstream programming, and would complement the services and news sources currently available. It would convey the voices of the counterculture, the poor, the disenfranchised, the marginalized, the youth and the elderly, visible minorities, those who are mentally and physically challenged and all others whose voices have been squelched .
For example, Channel Zero could offer a unique mix of some of the following programs:
• independent media news programming
• feature investigative documentaries from the burgeoning crop of critical filmmakers
• live coverage of protests, demonstrations, acts of culture-jamming
• in-depth interviews with the greatest minds of our age (why not convince the likes
of Avi Lewis and Bill Maher to sign up for interviewing duties?)
• lectures from the classroom of the best and brightest in academic fields
consonant with the mission statement
• speeches of 'pariah' world leaders (so we can get the whole picture instead of the
inflammatory ten second bites we are used to receiving)
• programming devoted to oddball left-field conspiracy theories
• discourses from spiritual leaders who promote peace and wisdom
• news programs from around the world especially those that have been demonized
in the mainstream (for example al-jazeera)
• readings and performances by poets, authors, musicians, actors, dancers and
visual artists sympathetic to the cause
• music videos of a leftist nature
• community programming including video clips and rants
• consumer information, protection and advocacy shows
• inspiring and thought-provoking movies
• a beavis and butthead inspired show where a witty leftist comedian overlays
commentary during a presidential address or a news conference by a slimy official
• a series entitled Yesterday's News, that follows up on news stories that have
fallen off the radar but are important to keep tabs on (especially when it has to do
with holding politicians and policy makers accountable for the statements they
make – a show like this could cast a chill over double-speak and smoke and
mirror routines)
Channel Zero could get away with programming like this since, as a non-profit enterprise, it would not find itself limited in its ability to air material in opposition to values held by corporate sponsors. Income would be generated through the support of other like-minded non-profit and community organizations who would purchase air-time to promote their causes and disseminate important information. Finally, groups like Adbusters can spread the message on television without having to grovel at the gates of the networks! Promotional consideration would be provided to those who are driven by principles that include, but are not limited to: peace, multiculturalism and cultural diversity, sustainability for the Earth, true justice and equality for all in social and political interactions, reorganization of power and resource distribution, a logical and healthy balance between an individual's freedoms and the creation of a healthy and happy functioning society, and practical political decision-making processes that empower us all to reach our human potentials and live together in harmony.
I had this great idea but I unfortunately sat on it for all these years. Recently, while out for a walk through the neighbourhood, I came across a number of copies of Adbusters from around the time the idea was conceived. They were in a box at the end of a driveway, mixed in with a collection of other material free for the taking. I grew sentimental and reflected on this grand vision I once had and realized I did absolutely nothing with it, perhaps for a number of reasons including cynicism, a sense of potential failure, a lack of resources, a lack of will and a bloated perception of ownership over the whole thing.
Now, I lay this idea before your feet and feel a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I have set this notion free, to grow organically as it may, or to wither away into the dust of discarded eurekas. Perhaps the Adbusters Media Foundation is interested in growing in this manner, in making a deeper impact upon people, beyond words and images on paper. Let's really hit 'em where it will hurt. Let's turn the idiot box into the idea box.
Of course, I am ready to help out in any way I can or to discuss this further with anyone who is interested in pursuing this. I would be happy to sign on as a 'creative consultant' to the project. You now know where to find me.
