FCC's New Attempt at Allowing Local Media Monopolies
Four years ago, without public input, the FCC rolled back 30 yr old rules that limited a single company’s ability to be able to dominate local TV, newspaper and radio media markets. Thankfully, the rules changes triggered a massive public response and through legislation and lawsuit, they were defeated. Now FCC chair Kevin Martin is attempting to do it again by trying to push through a similar set of changes allowing further media consolidation as soon as December 18.
Already there are just six companies that own most of the major sources of our information in our country: newspapers, television stations, radio stations, and cable systems. It is harmful to the public discourse and these giants are even a threat to our democracy. This time we needn't wait until after we have been sandbagged. You can help stop it from happening by contacting Congress (through Common Cause's form letter at that link or through the 'Contact Congress' widget on the right) and the FCC now to stop Kevin Martin before he gets away with slipping this one by us.
Bill Moyers then goes one further and focuses on one glaring example of how our media is already failing us today:
The Corporate Media Blackout of Anti-War Protests
It's no wonder why groups like Code Pink must go to such lengths to make sure the overwhelming voice of public opinion against the occupation of Iraq isn't ignored entirely. Thank goodness we at least still have Bill Moyers to help make sure that doesn't happen.BILL MOYERS: It's important who owns the press, as we've just seen and heard...but it's also important who decides what is news.
Why wasn't it news last weekend when more than 100,000 people turned out in 11 cities across the country to protest the occupation of Iraq ... but if you blinked while watching the national news, you wouldn't have known it was a story? ...(transcript)
As always you can watch the full episodes on the PBS website.
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