Activists distributing 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly sometimes get accused of being engaged in "brainwashing" — of trying, in the act of selling the paper, to "impose" the ideas it contains on other people.
What seems to be forgotten in this accusation is that the establishment media campaign every day, around a whole range of issues. They actively use their almost complete monopoly on information to shape people's ideas.
For example, the establishment media are currently campaigning to evict the Aboriginal community from Redfern so that developers can get their greedy hands on that valuable piece of real estate. 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly exposes the real interests behind their campaign.
The establishment media are campaigning to paint the Mansfield report on the future of the ABC as "reasonable" and supportive of this public service. 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ showed that this report is a major attack on the ABC's very existence.
The single most important ideological campaign waged by the big business media over the last decade has been promoting neo-liberalism — selling the idea that the "free" market is the only solution to all of humanity's problems. The policies of neo-liberalism have resulted in concerted attacks on our wages, living conditions, the environment, women's rights and every other social gain since World War II.
This has been one of 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly's main challenges since its inception — to wage an ideological counter-offensive against their propaganda assault, against their campaign to brainwash people into believing that every assault on social gains is a "reform" of the system.
In so doing, 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ has campaigned for alternative policies and strategies, for an alternative vision. We don't remain impartial. We do take sides — the side of the exploited and oppressed the world over.
But this doesn't take place on a level playing field. We aren't equal competitors selling different ideological "products", as the "free" marketeers would have us believe. Their resources are enormous. They control most of the wealth and have the backing of the state.
Nevertheless, we will continue and strengthen our campaign against their brainwashing. We don't need to match their wealth in order to beat them. Our "assets" are the dedicated and committed supporters of the paper.
We could, however, do with many more of those assets. So if you haven't subscribed before, or you know someone else who hasn't, why not take out an introductory subscription — $10 will get 10 issues of 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ delivered to your letter box. You can do it with a free phone call to 1800 634 206.
Subscribe to 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ and help beat their brainwashing. 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly — it's your paper.