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Will the FCC stifle our voices AGAIN?!

By Jon Bartholomew
Posted on Tue Oct 16, 2007 at 12:04:02 PM EST

Back in 2003, the FCC voted in secret to allow one company to control up to eight radio stations, three television stations, the local newspaper and the cable system in a single city.

Could this happen again? It's completely possible.

While the FCC has received hundreds of thousands of comments on media consolidation and even held several hearings, it sounds like the chairman of the FCC, Kevin Martin plans to draft new rules and schedule a vote on them as early as mid-December.

There would be NO public input period on the details of these rules!

Why is this so important to our democracy? Because we get the information we use to make our decisions in our democracy through the media. If the media is controlled by a small number of businesses, especially in a particular market area, differing viewpoints can be stifled. Full information might not be available. Media functions best when there is competition for the best coverage of stories. And democracy functions best when we get as full information as possible.

A healthy democracy requires a diverse and robust media.

By allowing further consolidation of the media, we could see one company dominate the TV, newspapers and radio in a market. They would rehash the same news report on all their outlets. If they miss a story, make errors, or fail to get all the facts, we don't have any other outlets for the information we need.

The average citizen relies on the media for information, as we can not be investigative journalists, state house reporters, or going to every event in town. That is why the media is so important to our democracy.

If the FCC is not going to allow public input on Martin's new proposals, we need Congress to exercise its oversight powers and demand Martin allow input. Tell your member of Congress that you want the FCC to allow public input on their new media ownership proposals!

It's only right.


Tags: media and democracy, FCC, media ownership, Kevin Martin, rulemaking (all tags)


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Will the FCC stifle our voices AGAIN?! :: 2 Comments

congress waking up

Looks like the Senate Commerce Committee at least wants to hold hearings and possibly slow this thing down.  

I especially liked Dorgan's quote: "There is going to be a firestorm of protest, and I will be carrying the wood."  I've got the matches, Senator.

by Dawn Holian Iype on Wed Oct 17, 2007 at 05:09:52 PM EST


yes 2 public input, no 2 alarmist view on media co

nsolidation.

Put my name on any petition that fights for public input on ANY government intitiative.

Take my name off of any list that implies -> "By allowing further consolidation of the media, we could see one company dominate the TV, newspapers and radio in a market. They would rehash the same news report on all their outlets. If they miss a story, make errors, or fail to get all the facts, we don't have any other outlets for the information we need."

BIG MEDIA, no matter if it's one big company, or a thousand little companies, will always tend to be conservative and print what sells. HERE's the SHORT VERSION -> Things are fine, feel good, buy from our sponsors, and read us again tomorrow.

Is the above news (the short version) somehow hushed from the general public? No, it's not. If it was I would be scared. Currently, my fears remain based in what has always been public apathy and subsequent ignorance (which is not the fault of unilateral BIG MEDIA).

by pythagosaurus on Sun Oct 21, 2007 at 11:56:54 AM EST


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