Mainstream Media vs. Alternative Media: Contrasting American Narratives 1 Joshua Meyrowitz / University of New Hampshire Durham NH 03824 USA / 1-603-862-3031 Published in Italian translation by Robert Castrucci as: “Media Mainstream e Media Alternativi: Narrative Americane in contrasto ,” in Alberto Abruzzes and Vincenzo Susca, (Eds.), Immaginari Postdemocratici: Nuovi Media, cybercultura, e forme di potere. Milan, Italy: FrancoAngeli, 2006, 167-185. I believe that the United States is in the early stages of a great struggle. I am not referring to the war in Iraq, or even to the broader so-called “War on Terror.” Primarily, I am referring to the battle over information and, more specifically, to the conflict over what “stories,” or narratives, the nation tells itself about itself, including the stories about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the war in Iraq. The vast differences between two major narratives of the American experience form a key reason why “new media” may not bring about more democracy as easily or as quickly as some might predict. Yet, an analysis of these differences also suggests the possibility that the new media may be even more necessary for the enhancement of self-government than most Americans who are familiar only with “old media” can now imagine. After briefly reviewing a few of the limitations of the democratizing potential of the “information age,” I will focus on one constraining force: the contrasting narratives about the United States in U.S. “mainstream” and “alternative” media. Challenges to Informed Self-Government In the United States, every schoolchild is taught that democracy relies on an “informed electorate” and on the “consent of the governed.” These lessons are consistent with the principles outlined by the founding fathers of the United States. James Madison, the key framer of the U.S. Constitution and fourth President of the United States, wrote that: Nothing could be more irrational than to give the people power and to withhold from them information without which power is abused. A people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with power which knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both. If increasing the “means of acquiring” information is a way to enhance democracy, then new media and the “information revolution” of our time should entail a dramatic increase in democratic activity and potential. I believe that this is generally true, certainly in terms of potential. Yet, I would like to suggest that the process is much more complicated than it may seem to be for the reasons summarized below. 1 The author wishes to thank Renée H. Carpenter for her detailed comments and suggestions. Meyrowitz / Contrasting Narratives / 1 of 14 pages