Action: on Monday Call your Cong & FCC to ask for public hearings

[liveoaktx]

on media ownership rules. We have ANOTHER opportunity now that M Powell has been smacked down by the courts. Congress involved in this: Rep. Hinchey, along with Reps. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), and Diane Watson (D-Calif.)
In case you missed seeing this article from Tuesday, http://www.ilcaonline.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=254&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

<snip>
The FCC, compelled to re-examine its rule-making by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, now has an opportunity to “seek broad-based public input where the impact of such regulatory changes will be felt the most – local media markets,” the unions said in a letter to FCC Chairman Powell.

“That is precisely where our members work and where consumers get the bulk of their news, information and entertainment,” the unions said. The single field hearing held by the FCC last year was “woefully insufficient” to determine the effect the proposed rule changes would have in an already highly concentrated media industry.

A poll of 400 workers from a cross section of print and broadcast news professionals, commissioned by four media unions, provides additional insight into the impact of continued media consolidation on news reporting, diversity of opinion and corporate control of the news. The unions are The Newspaper Guild (TNG-CWA), the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA) – both affiliates of the Communications Workers of America – the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE).

The poll reveals that front-line media employees believe that industry consolidation already has compromised the quality of news reporting and they fear that further media concentration will continue the trend and lead to too much control over the news by a few corporate executives.
</snip>
Please keep this kicked-with all the griping that goes on about media wh*res, unfairness, bias and corporate ownership, this goes to the heart of what we need to do. (If you don't see the urgency, run out and watch "Orwell Rolls Over In His Grave").

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. FCC link?

Where exactly would I phone/write the FCC? My con-man ignores me and is one of the head repukes besides.

[liveoaktx]

2. Link

http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html

Even if your congressmen are worthless, they're keeping a tally. Call them.

[loudsue]

3. Thanks for posting this, Dac_76!! Keep this kicked until everyone sees it

This is soooo important! And you're right, we've whined about this long enough!!! It's time to ACT ON THIS, and I mean in a BIG way!

Cummon, DUers!! This could be one of our finest moments!!! Let the congress and the FCC KNOW WE'RE TOTALLY FED UP AND MAJORLY SERIOUS!!!

:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:

[liveoaktx]

4. Remarks of FCC Commish Michael J Copps July 19

Copps

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Will Do!

I will call first thing Monday morning! Thanks for the post! Remember that the 750,000 emails and phone calls mattered the last time....it worked! Be sure to call DUers!

[liveoaktx]

6. FCC Commisioner Adelstein on the Court's Decision

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-248773A1.pdf

This week, both Congress and the courts repudiated the FCC's
reckless decision on media ownership. It no longer works to say "Congress and the courts made us do it" because the Commission has now been reversed by both. They got it right, and the FCC got it wrong. This is a vindication for the vast majority of the American public who opposed
these rule changes. The court largely undid what would have been the most destructive rollback of media ownership protections in the history of American broadcasting.
We now need to work together on a bipartisan basis to fix the rules so they comply with the court order and respond to Congressional and public concerns. We need a more inclusive discussion than we had last time on ways to move forward. This time the Commission should truly act in the interest of the American public rather than the corporate interests of media giants who want to get even bigger.

[liveoaktx]

7. Note: I emailed Michael Copps this morning AND GOT A REPLY

I told him I wanted to have public hearings. He said

"Me, too. I have asked Chairman Powell to schedule them, beginning right away. But I haven’t heard back from him. Be assured I’ll keep pushing."


SO, LISTEN UP! Michael Powell may not be listening but others are and are pushing for it. LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

[liveoaktx]

8. kick

[liveoaktx]

9. FCC's Copps Asks for Media Ownership Hearings

http://www.mediareform.net/news/article.php?id=3967

The Federal Communications Commission should get out of Washington and hear what ordinary citizens have to say before its rewrites media-ownership rules, one of the commission's two Democrats said on Wednesday.

Commissioner Michael Copps said he has asked FCC Chairman Michael Powell to hold town meetings across the country to gain a wider perspective as the agency attempts for a third time to craft ownership limits that can withstand legal scrutiny.

"Let's hit the road and get out of D.C.," Copps told reporters at a meeting in his office.

A U.S. appeals court last week put on hold FCC rules that expanded the number of TV or radio stations one company can own in a single city, saying the agency had failed to explain the reasoning behind the loosened limits.