US left-wing journalist speaks

BY BEN COURTICE

MELBOURNE — US left journalist David Barsamian explained, denounced and ridiculed the US President George Bush's "war on terror" to a full house at RMIT's Horti Hall on October 30.

Barsamian, a veteran activist and radio presenter, is the director of Alternative Radio, which produces an hour-long weekly radio program broadcast on more than 100 radio stations world-wide. Each week the program features an in-depth interview, mostly with left-wing intellectuals. Barsamian's program has been the way that many, particularly US residents, have first heard the likes of Edward Said, Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, John Pilger and Hanan Ashrawi.

Barsamian is currently touring Australia, after speaking at the Sydney Social Forum. Condemning the US-led "war on terror", he has been at pains to point out that Bush's popularity has been built on a "campaign of lies", backed by "some of the most insistent propaganda around".

After a talk peppered with anger and humour, Barsamian told the audience they must become politically active, joining in with whatever activity is happening in their area, for example through community radio 3CR, Green Left Weekly or the Socialist Alliance.

From Green Left Weekly, November 5, 2003.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 560