I suggest that those who oppose Mayoral Control and the Privatization of Public Schools establish an online news journal that will unify the hundreds of parent and teacher blogs that have been created in the last ten years.
This Web Journal would be an alternative news source to the ones controlled by Bloomberg et al.
Instead of depending on mainstream news stations such as CBS and NBC to give a fair and unbiased version of the story, let's make sure that our story gets into the public domain through video news casts created by us.
Instead of depending on the New York Times, the Daily News, and the New York Post, to exercise journalistic integrity, lets give up on them, and go into competition against them.
How to Fund the Web Journal
Reach out to the parents and teachers of the 1,000,000 children in the New York City Public School System. Reach out to the parents and teachers of the 100,000,000 school-aged children in the United States.
I would pay $100.00 toward the creation of a website that would contain professional journalistic photography, video, and writing that tells my side of the story. I don't think I'm alone. Solicit donations to be paid through PayPal or Amazon.com
I personally would pay $10.00 a month to link my blog to the website. I don't think I'm alone. Keep the site free for those who want to inform themselves, but solicit subscriptions for those who want extra benefits.
Sell advertising space. Sell stuff (T-shirts, mugs, etc.).
How to Staff the Web Journal
This cannot be a website run by volunteers and amateurs. We need real journalists with lots of experience in traditional journalism. They have inside knowledge of how mainstream newspapers and TV news stations are run and will give us credibility.
We can use young journalists with good computer skills, good writing skills, and lots of bright ideas and enthusiasm.
We need professional producers, cameramen and editors--preferably with experience in TV broadcasting.
We can use volunteers (students, retirees, and others) who would like to learn journalism and broadcasting from professionals.
How to Promote the Web Journal
The bloggers themselves can promote the Journal. Also, hand out flyers at demonstrations; hand out flyers near schools as parents drop off and pick up their children; at parent-teacher conferences and meetings. Post flyers in delis and small businesses where they will be seen. Advertise. Twitter.
Who Sets This All in Motion and Keeps it Virtuous?
I suggest an Executive Board consisting of a fair representation of the opposition groups. It should not be about one political party, one culture, one religion, etc. In reality, it will be whomever shows up to do the work of getting this started, and then sticks around to provide oversight. Lots of work. Little pay. High Profile.
Beat Bloomberg At His Own Game
Bloomberg is winning not only because he is rich, but because he is a master of P. R. and owns the traditional media. People just aren't being given an opportunity to hear the other side. It's nice to have lots of demonstrations, but who is going to hear about it if it is not reported? Who is going to care if you are portrayed in a negative way?
Bloggers Unite
I believe that we have reached critical mass. It is time to take the next step forward, which could be in reality a quantum leap.
