Independent radio host Amy Goodman spoke about what she said were the evils of corporate-slanted media and the power of independent journalism at Centennial Hall last night.

Nearly every one of Centennial's 2,456 seats was occupied as Goodman, host of Pacifica Radio's "Democracy Now!" which airs locally on Tucson's 91.3 KXCI FM and Access Tucson Televison, spoke for over an hour.

The event began with a 30-minute video featuring Goodman's criticism of the mainstream media's coverage of the war with Iraq, as well as disturbing images of casualties and injuries from the war. During the video, images of Secretary of State Colin Powell and Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark were booed by those in attendance, while video of author and filmmaker Michael Moore was loudly cheered.

Following brief speeches by members of KXCI and Access Tucson, Goodman was welcomed onstage to a two-minute standing ovation.

Goodman reiterated much of what was seen on the video, including her belief that there is no proven link between Iraq and the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.