This quote comes from a chomsky inspired public forum (www.worldmedia.com)
where I have been a participant for about a year now...


 "The professed concern for freedom of the press in the West is not very
    persuasive in the light of...the actual performance of the media in
     serving the powerful and privileged as an agency of manipulation,
   indoctrination, and control.

 A "democratic communications policy," in
    contrast, would seek to develop means of expression and interaction
   that reflect the interests and concerns of the general population, and
   to encourage their self-education and their individual and collective
                                  action.
                                NOAM CHOMSKY"

I must confess that I am not very familiar with any of chomsky's ideas,
but I feel that what he says here is profoundly important in the creation
of a free and open society.

I even feel that the second section should be applied to all areas of
human communication and not just those which are labeled "media".

eg. A democratic communications policy (or theory?) would be applicable
to economic systems and even maternal care.

It could be used to validate efforts to set up alternative socio-economic
systems.

Harry