Over the last few months we`ve been busy trying to set up an MSSG in Leeds. Apart from the practicalities, this has led to some debate around the way media operates in capitalist society, the need for an alternative media and the role Morning Star Supporter's Groups can play in supporting this.

The popular view is that the mass media reflects the power structures which underpin vested interests - however, i would argue that it goes much further than this, it operates in ways which actually constitute power structures in their own right (or might!). this works in 2 ways; firstly, it provides the symbols, images and ideological framework in which power operates. Secondly, the mass media - as global concerns and conglomorates - operate as sources of power themselves.

The key concept here is of course Hegemony. Originally developed by Antonio Gramsci, the concept has been taken further by Ed Harman and Noam Chomsky in their book "Manufacturing Consent" which sets out to show how information is "filtered" to us through the use of media. For example, John Pilger has exposed the way this "filteration" process has taken place in coverage of the war in Iraq.

So, as well as offering direct support to the Morning Star, support groups may like to consider some other, wider contexts for their campaigning on the paper`s behalf. Central to this is the need to make the media a political issue. This may seem blindingly obvious, however, too often the media is viewed as peripheral to political processes - as harmless, ephemeral light entertainment - instead of being situated at the very heart of the political-economic complex. In analysing how this operates, we also need to think outside the outmoded marxist conceptualisation which places the media as part of a secondary, less important superstructure. The reality is more complex and the stakes too high for sloppy thinking of this sort

As part of this, groups may like to consider some other key areas for example, around concentation / control, issues regarding the culture dominating media and how access to diversity of media forms can be achieved. Key questions here could be;

1. Is concentration of ownership a trend which needs to be countered by more rigorous anti-monopoly legislation?

2. Should the commercial framework which dominates media be supplanted by a public service ethos?

Kevin Donnelly, CPB Leeds Branch Secretary