Charles Derber, DYING FOR CAPITALISM & Andy Lee Roth, STATE OF THE FREE PRESS 2024

We talk with Charles Derber about the book he co-wrote with Suren Moodliar, Dying For Capitalism, How Big Money Fuels Extinction And What We Can Do About It.

Then we talk with Andy Lee Roth about Project Censored’s yearbook, State of the Free Press 2024: The Top Censored Stories and Media Analysis of 2022–23.

And finally, we read a poem from Mosab Abu Toha’s book Things You May Find Hidden In My Ear.

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Key Words: Charles Derber, Andy Lee Roth, author interview, book podcast, democracy, press freedom, podcast, Project Censored, nonfiction

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Charles Derber

Introduction

• Charles Derber, a co-author of the book “Dying for Capitalism,” discusses critical issues surrounding capitalism, technology, and climate change with Francesca on Writer’s Voice.
• Suren Moodliar is Co-author of the book, a South African with ties to the Mandela household and an ANC activist.

Key Points from the Interview

• Capitalism and Growth: The conversation emphasizes how capitalism’s inherent drive for infinite growth poses challenges for sustainability on a finite planet.
• Fetishism of Commodities: Drawing from Marx’s concept, the interview touches on how consumerism and material production under capitalism contribute to resource depletion.
• Triangle of Extinction: Gerber introduces the concept linking capitalism, environmental destruction, and militarism as interconnected forces driving global crises.

Insights from the Interview

• Challenging Green Capitalism: The interview delves into the limitations of green technology within capitalism in addressing climate change.
• Technology and Capitalism: Gerber highlights the misconception that technology alone can solve deep-rooted social, environmental, and political issues.
• Historical Context: The discussion explores how capitalism’s evolution from water to coal to oil was influenced by social and political factors rather than just technological efficiency.

Podcast Show Notes: State of the Free Press 2024

Introduction

In this segment, Andy Lee Roth, the associate director of Project Censored, discusses key trends in the State of the Free Press in the United States.

Roth highlights significant changes in the media landscape since Project Censored’s establishment in 1976, emphasizing the impact of media deregulation, increasing concentration of ownership in major corporations, and the rise of the internet.

Trust in Journalism and Partisan Bias

Roth delves into the complexities surrounding trust in journalism, attributing low trust levels to corporate media reflecting specific worldviews that may not align with public interests. He distinguishes between corporate and independent news sources, emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of media content.

Influence of Intelligence Agencies in Big Tech

The discussion shifts to the influence of former U.S. and Israeli intelligence agency employees in tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft. Roth raises concerns about potential government influence on these platforms and its implications for information regulation and individual rights.

Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board

The conversation touches on the Disinformation Governance Board under the Department of Homeland Security, highlighting its impact on progressive media outlets. Internal documents revealed discussions around governing information, sparking public outcry and raising questions about freedom of expression.

Conclusion

The episode underscores ...