F*CCK The FCC!

[demwing]

NOTE: edited the title to avoid FBI investigation

After Sinclair, did you think it couldn't get any worse?

Think again.

*******************************************

Broadcaster Donates $325,000 to GOP
By TOM CHORNEAU, Associated Press Writer
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041026/ap_on_el_pr/broadcast_donation

One of the state's biggest broadcasters has given 13 Republican county committees $325,000 worth of free air time to promote candidates on its radio and television stations throughout California.

Pappas Telecasting Cos., which calls itself the largest privately held broadcast firm in the nation, made the donations earlier this month. Democrats complain the offer unfairly benefits GOP candidates in violation of federal law.

<snip>

A spokesman for Pappas said the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) has reviewed the donations and determined that they do not trigger provisions of federal law that require broadcasters to give all candidates equal broadcast time.

*******************************************


Every day its a NEW outrage. Getting rid of M. Powell has got to be one of our nations highest priorities. In the interim, lets bombard them with our outrage.

To Contact the Commissioners via E-mail:
Chairman Michael K. Powell: [e-mail]
Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy: [e-mail]
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: [e-mail]
Commissioner Kevin J. Martin: [e-mail]
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: [e-mail]

General information, inquiries & complaints: [e-mail]
Freedom of Information Act requests: [e-mail]
Comments on FCC Internet services: [e-mail]
Elections & political candidate matters: [e-mail]

By Snail Mail:
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554


Lets let them know how we feel, alright?

[demwing]

1. shameless self kick

[doodlebugs4kerry]

2. F*ck You Very Much The FCC !

http://www.ericblumrich.com/wmf/fcc.mp3

A personal favorite of mine!

:kick: Bush Out!

[demwing]

3. thank you

very F*ccking much!

[newyawker99]

6. Hi doodlebugs4kerry!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[demokatgurrl]

11. Is that the same as this one

from Eric Idle:


http://www.pythonline.com/plugs/idle/index.shtml

(Click on "the FCC song")

[Contrary1]

4. Let's Take 'Em Down!

Boycotts can be very rewarding!

"Pappas Telecasting serves more than 15% of all US television households and owns or operates stations reaching about a third of US Hispanic households."

Contact Information
Address: 500 S. Chinowth Rd.
Visalia, CA 93277
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Chairman and CEO: Harry J. Pappas
VP and CFO: Richard L. (Rich) Elmendorf

www.pappastv.com

Company Profile:

"Pappas Telecasting Companies knows the importance of networking. The privately-held company owns 20 TV station affiliates of six major broadcasting networks (ABC, CBS, FOX , The WB, UPN, and Azteca America) and operates three other stations through local marketing agreements. It also owns 10 on-air digital channels and operates three others through local marketing agreements. The company has permits to build 29 additional TV stations as well as an option to buy a permit for a full-power station. Pappas Telecasting serves more than 15% of all US television households and owns or operates stations reaching about a third of US Hispanic households.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/122/122593.html

Affilliates List:
http://www.pappastv.com/Links.asp

[Andromeda]

5. Those dirty lowdown bastards!

"A spokesman for Pappas said the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) has reviewed the donations and determined that they do not trigger provisions of federal law that require broadcasters to give all candidates equal broadcast time."

So, it appears they are making up their own laws now. The courts need to come down on them HARD!

If they want a fight, we'll give it to them!

[HFishbine]

7. Should be before the FEC not the FCC

The FCC may have rightly or wrongly determined whether or not this action violated equal time rules, but the clear violation is an in-kind contribution that exceeds allowable limits, that is under the purview of the FEC.

[wysiwyg]

8. This'll only improve once Democrats start doing it

The only way the regulations will truly be balanced again is if Democratic supporters among media owners start doing the same thing. Only then would Republicans think a review of the rules would be necessary.

Back when the basic fairness doctrine was put in effect there were still liberal voices among media owners and publishers. Now that it's so completely one sided there isn't much motivation to see this as a problem as long as the beneficiaries are in control of the regulations.

[spanone]

9. Michael Powell has the backbone of his father........................none

spineless partisans

[wysiwyg]

10. No backbone implies he's actually interested in fairness

I don't think lack of backbone is the problem. I don't think he's actually interested in honestly doing his job without favor in the first place.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

12. Dang it! Thought this was a Steve Earle thread...

.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

17. It is now!

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

18. Woo Hoo!

The revolution starts now!

[donkeyotay]

13. Another regulator who doesn't "believe" in regulation

Why, I believe in the market!! Remember that crap, right before these people morphed into Crusaders?

What a waste of taxpayer money. He's gonna be a goner under President Kerry.

BTW, I wonder if this Pappas is related to the commander of the intelligence at Abu Ghraib, one Thomas Pappas.

[JDPriestly]

14. How do we nominate this for the first page?

I don't want to detract from the GOTV effort, but it is important to squelch this abuse of ownership of the media whenever it arises.

If we allow abuse like this to become commonplace, we can just forget about what we have left of democracy. We'll have a new form of government -- propagandocracy, in which the rich buy the media, and brainwash us voters by broadcasting lies over and over until we believe them. Nowadays, instead of reading the book, we see the movie. If Pappas and Sinclair get their way, in the future, instead of participating in campaigns, we'll just watch the propaganda they put on TV and vote on which of their ads we like best. It's almost to that point now -- we have to stop the Sinclair/Pappas abuse of the media.

[donkeyotay]

15. hit the nominate button at the bottom left of the original post

I doubt they'll post it as right now it's just down to the wire. However, I don't intend to pack my bags and go home when the election is over. I think fixing the media is job #1.

Privatize the nation's dialog. Privatize our defense. Privatize the government itself. Powell's FCC has been privatized. He doesn't believe in representing the public's interests, so why is he on the taxpayer's dole?

[tomfodw]

16. Be sure you pay a royalty to Steve Earle...

...for borrowing his song title.