Media Consolidation

[Eric J in MN]

Tell the FCC not to relax rules for more media consolidation:
http://www.commoncause.org/nomoreconsolidation

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Told 'em. Thanks. n/t

[Eric J in MN]

9. You're welcome. NT

NT

[annabanana]

2. done. . . . . . . n/t

[purji]

3. done n/t

[Tanuki]

4. FCC public hearing Monday in Nashville

I expect to attend at least part of it, and would appreciate additional input/info/talking points from fellow DUers who are more knowledgeable on this. For those who may also be able to attend, here is an e-mail I received:

--------------------
"On Monday, December 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., there will be a Federal Communications Commission hearing at Belmont University's Massey Auditorium. The highlights of the schedule are below. If you wish to download a three page Word document with the entire schedule you can click on the Tennessee Alliance for Progress' website at the URL below. You'll see the first article is about the F.C.C. hearing and at the end of the article is the 'bar' to click on for access to the three page document. We need to fill the room for the entire eight hour period, to show the F.C.C. commissioners that Americans are not happy with the corporate takeover of our media outlets.

www.tennesseeallianceforprogress.org

If you are unable to attend the hearings, you are allowed to submit your comments in writing to the FCC. The deadline for submission of written comments is within the next ten days, so hurry. The 3rd page of the announcement hereinabove referenced includes information about submission in writing (hard copy of electronically).

Highlights of the schedule:
1:00 p.m. - Welcome/opening remarks
1:30 p.m. - panel discussion - issues affecting the Music Recording Industry
(panelists George Jones, Legendary Grammy Award winning recording artist; Naomi Judd, Grammy Award Winner, Porter Wagoner, Member Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and many others.)

3:00 p.m. - public comment period - each participant is allowed two minutes

5:00 p.m. - break
5:20 p.m. - Welcoming Remarks for the 2nd session
5:30 p.m. - Panel Discussion - Nashville (Media) Market overview and issues affecting broadcasters and Independent Programmers (panelists include Debbie Turner, Pres. & gen'l manager of News Channel 5, Ginny Welsch, Exec Dir of 98.9 WRFN-LPFM Radio Free Nashville, John Heidelberg, owner of WVOL-AM 1470; Gary Cunningham, Publisher and Pres, GCA Publishing and many others.)

7:00 p.m. - Public comments - each participant is allowed two minutes

9:00 p.m. - adjournment
- - - - -"

[Eric J in MN]

5. A list of which media companies own what

http://www.cjr.org/tools/owners/

[Roland99]

6. Done and K&R!

[Eric J in MN]

7. Clear Channel

http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=2127045

FACT: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 lifted ownership limits for radio stations, leading to incredible consolidation of radio station ownership. One company alone, Clear Channel Inc., now owns nearly 1,200 radio stations across the country. Before the change, a company could not own more than 40 stations nationwide.

Several large stations owned by Clear Channel briefly banned the music of the Dixie Chicks because of their critical comments about President George W. Bush. Stations owned by Infinity have also banned certain musicians based on their political views.

[bonito]

8. Done, the goal is 25,000 letters

Now at 22,500.

[Eric J in MN]

10. kicking for the morning visitors NT

NT