The Firestorm Rages On

[flashl]

The Firestorm Rages On

The Firestorm is raging on, but we don't mean the ones in California. We mean the one that Senator Dorgan (D-SD) said would happen as soon as the public heard that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was trying to loosen media ownership rules without public input.

We asked you to contact your members of Congress to have them hold the FCC accountable.

Yesterday, more than 40 members of Congress signed onto a letter circulated by Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) demanding that the FCC take more time with this issue and seriously listen to the concerns of the American public and not just media industry lobbyists.

This comes on the heels of a press conference by Senator Dorgan and Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) where they stood together in a bi-partisan show of resolve that they would work to prevent further media consolidation. Similar letters have also been sent to the FCC from several of the candidates for President. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) have also sent a letter along the same lines.

DC gets less than a week's notice on localism hearing

It's no exaggeration to say that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin waited until the last moment to announce an Oct. 31 localism hearing, to take place at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC. The announcement, made after business hours Wednesday, gives the public less than a week's notice to prepare or even make plans to attend the hearing.

While rumors of Nov. 2 persist, the FCC still has not released a date for its final hearing on media ownership in Seattle. Amidst reports that Martin is rushing to eliminate longstanding media ownership limits before the end of this year, the latecoming announcement of the DC hearing strongly suggests that Martin's goal is to exclude public opinion rather than bring it into the process.

This needs immediate attention.

[druidity33]

1. this needs a kick!

and another R of course.

rat bastards!

[KoKo]

2. kick!