Editor’s note: A few months ago, Truthdig hosted a panel called “Media Meltdown in a Time of Crisis,” with Amy Goodman, Chris Hedges and Robert Scheer. The guests discussed the present and future of media with the global economic crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the health care debate raging on. Here is the first installment of that event, with more to come in the next few days.

Click here for part 2. Click here for part 3. Videography by Mansoor Sabbagh and Jeanne Kyle, Editing by Chloe Zuanich

Clip 1: Goodman says independent media draw strength from the failings of the mass media, which “acted as a conveyor belt for the lies” before the Iraq war.

Clip 2: “Where are these voices?” Goodman critiques the media’s coverage of war and health care. “What do I think of the mainstream media? I think it would be a good idea,” she says.

Clip 3: Beyond blogs: Goodman and Scheer talk about the future of journalism.

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