Earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began its review of the media ownership rules. The last time the FCC voted to allow big media to get even bigger (in 2003), the process happened behind closed doors and without public input.

But we have a different FCC Chairman this time around. Chairman Kevin Martin is at least paying lip service to public participation, saying that, "Public input is integral to this process," and that the Commission will hold "half a dozen public hearings around the country." Six hearings are a step in the right direction, but far from adequate. And the process Martin has begun is far from perfect. Once again, the FCC has failed to state specifically how it intends to change the media ownership rules. What the FCC has proposed, said Commissioner Adelstein, is "thin gruel for those hoping for a meaty discussion of media ownership issues."

If you live in North Carolina and want to make your voice heard in this debate, make sure you attend the Future of Media Town Meeting on Wednesday, June 28 at 6pm. More details are available here. If you go to the meeting, please report back to us on what happened.