Post by unlawflcombatnt on Nov 19, 2007 5:29:31 GMT -6
Below are excerpts and links decribing the latest FCC proposal to allow more media consolidation. The FCC proposal is open for public comments up until December 11th. Do take an opportunity to make your opinion known to the FCC if you oppose further media consolidation.
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/11162007/profile2.html
"On November 2, 2007, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced that the Commission would hold the sixth and final public hearing on media consolidation November 9, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein blasted the Chairman's decision to give the public only five business days notice before the hearing: "With such short notice, many people will be shut out ... This is outrageous and not how important media policy should be made."
The Seattle hearing was contentious — reflecting the aptness Chairman Martin's opening words to the Seattle meeting:
The decisions we will make about our ownership rules will be as difficult as they are critical. The media touches almost every aspect of our lives."
WEIGH IN ON FCC RULE CHANGES:
www.fcc.gov/contacts.html
Contact the FCC Commissioners
www.fcc.gov/contacts.html
Rick Karr on making your opinion heard
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/11/media_consolidation_a_primer_o_1.html
THE FCC REVOLVING DOOR:
The Center for Public Integrity, a non-partisan watchdog group recently released a new study on the workings of the FCC called "Well Connected." It documents the revolving door between FCC commission membership and industry lobbying. The study contains several items of note.
_________________________
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/11/media_consolidation_a_primer_o_1.html
Media Consolidation: A primer on making your opinion heard
By Rick Karr
"Media laws and regulations are complex. And the process that establishes them is positively byzantine – a complex dance that involves not only the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but also Congress, the White House, courts, cabinet-level departments, and other agencies, as well.
So here's a primer on how to tell the powers that be what you think about the current controversy over media consolidation that we cover on this week's JOURNAL:
The first steps are likely to be taken by the FCC. Its chairman, Kevin J. Martin, has proposed changing what's known as the ”Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule” (pdf) – in other words, he wants to let newspapers buy radio and TV stations in the cities where they're published.
Martin argues that the change would only affect the country's 20 largest urban areas, but his Democratic colleagues on the FCC disagree (pdf). Martin has set a deadline of Dec. 11 for public comments; sources in Washington tell us that the FCC is likely to vote a week later, on Dec. 18.
You can file a comment with the FCC online. Click on the circle next to "Media Ownership Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Docket 06-121," then click "Continue" at the bottom of the page. You can also send comments straight to each of the five commissioners – or the FCC as a whole – via email, phone, fax, or mail. If you choose one of those routes, make sure you mention that you're commenting on "Docket 06-121" - the bureaucracy's name for Martin's proposal.
Congress is getting involved, too. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) have introduced The Media Ownership Act of 2007, which would delay the FCC vote on Martin's proposal and require the Commission to examine how local communities have been affected by media consolidation. You can find out how to contact your Senators here.
At the FCC hearing in Seattle – which we cover on this week's Journal – Commissioner Michael J. Copps offered one more suggestion: Go straight to the top and let the White House know what you think.
This debate may drag on for months. Martin's agenda has taken flack from Democrats and Republicans alike. Some media firms say it doesn't go far enough. The last time the FCC voted to loosen ownership rules, in 2003, both the Senate and the federal courts got involved."
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/11162007/profile2.html
"On November 2, 2007, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced that the Commission would hold the sixth and final public hearing on media consolidation November 9, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein blasted the Chairman's decision to give the public only five business days notice before the hearing: "With such short notice, many people will be shut out ... This is outrageous and not how important media policy should be made."
The Seattle hearing was contentious — reflecting the aptness Chairman Martin's opening words to the Seattle meeting:
The decisions we will make about our ownership rules will be as difficult as they are critical. The media touches almost every aspect of our lives."
WEIGH IN ON FCC RULE CHANGES:
www.fcc.gov/contacts.html
Contact the FCC Commissioners
www.fcc.gov/contacts.html
Rick Karr on making your opinion heard
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/11/media_consolidation_a_primer_o_1.html
THE FCC REVOLVING DOOR:
The Center for Public Integrity, a non-partisan watchdog group recently released a new study on the workings of the FCC called "Well Connected." It documents the revolving door between FCC commission membership and industry lobbying. The study contains several items of note.
_________________________
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/11/media_consolidation_a_primer_o_1.html
Media Consolidation: A primer on making your opinion heard
By Rick Karr
"Media laws and regulations are complex. And the process that establishes them is positively byzantine – a complex dance that involves not only the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but also Congress, the White House, courts, cabinet-level departments, and other agencies, as well.
So here's a primer on how to tell the powers that be what you think about the current controversy over media consolidation that we cover on this week's JOURNAL:
The first steps are likely to be taken by the FCC. Its chairman, Kevin J. Martin, has proposed changing what's known as the ”Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule” (pdf) – in other words, he wants to let newspapers buy radio and TV stations in the cities where they're published.
Martin argues that the change would only affect the country's 20 largest urban areas, but his Democratic colleagues on the FCC disagree (pdf). Martin has set a deadline of Dec. 11 for public comments; sources in Washington tell us that the FCC is likely to vote a week later, on Dec. 18.
You can file a comment with the FCC online. Click on the circle next to "Media Ownership Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Docket 06-121," then click "Continue" at the bottom of the page. You can also send comments straight to each of the five commissioners – or the FCC as a whole – via email, phone, fax, or mail. If you choose one of those routes, make sure you mention that you're commenting on "Docket 06-121" - the bureaucracy's name for Martin's proposal.
Congress is getting involved, too. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) have introduced The Media Ownership Act of 2007, which would delay the FCC vote on Martin's proposal and require the Commission to examine how local communities have been affected by media consolidation. You can find out how to contact your Senators here.
At the FCC hearing in Seattle – which we cover on this week's Journal – Commissioner Michael J. Copps offered one more suggestion: Go straight to the top and let the White House know what you think.
This debate may drag on for months. Martin's agenda has taken flack from Democrats and Republicans alike. Some media firms say it doesn't go far enough. The last time the FCC voted to loosen ownership rules, in 2003, both the Senate and the federal courts got involved."