[Seattle-editorial] Feature proposal: FCC

[jonathan lawson]

subtitle: MEDIA EMPIRES SET TO CONSOLIDATE
title: Powell sets June 2 as D(eregulation)-Day for the FCC

On June 2, <a href=" 
http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=03/05/01/9304538">the FCC 
plans to vote</a> on whether to "relax" the rules for owning American news 
media. For months, an expanding media democracy movementhas produced an 
unprecedented amount of public opposition to FCC chair Michael Powell's 
proposed deregulation, as well as growing, bipartisan Congressional 
pressure for greater transparency and more public debate. (In Washington, 
Representatives <a 
href="http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=03/03/08/3895513">Inslee</a> 
and <a href="http://www.zverina.com/2003/0307.htm">McDermott</a> have 
spoken out against Powell's plans, and Senators <a 
href="http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=03/04/11/6601584"> 
Cantwell</a> and <a href=" 
http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=03/04/16/8011413">Murray</a> 
have called for more Congressional oversight before a decision is made. 
Despite all this, Powell has <a 
href="http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=03/05/01/4062870">refused 
to reveal</a> the specifics of his proposed changes until after the June 2 
vote. If the FCC decides to allow further media concentration, the 
resulting stampede of megamergers would give a shrinking handful of large, 
politically conservative corporations even greater influence over what is 
reported--or ignored--in the news. The public's ability to have open, 
informed discussion with a wide variety of viewpoints would be even further 
compromised.

<p>There is still time to <a 
href="http://seattle.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=26571">take 
action</a>. Write to Congress and the FCC <a 
href="http://capwiz.com/consumersunion/issues/alert/?alertid=1656736&type=CO">here</a>, 
urging greater transparency, further Congressional inquiry and more time 
for public comment. On Sat. May 31 at the old Ballard Safeway (5710 22nd 
Ave NW), a group of Seattle artist/activists will host <a 
href="http://www.zverina.com/2003/0531.htm"> Weapons of Mass 
Distraction</a>, a multimedia event drawing attention to the FCC rulemaking.

<p><a 
href="http://seattle.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=26802">Another 
shadow over media diversity in Seattle</a> is the daily newspapers' fight 
over the future of their <a href="http://www.nwguild.org/JOA">Joint 
Operating Agreement</a>. While Seattle Times majority owner Frank Blethen 
has been an outspoken critic of media deregulation, the Hearst Corporation 
(owners of the Post-Intelligencer) has for years lobbied for loosening of 
the rules, particularly the <a href=" 
http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=03/03/31/4775680">cross-ownership 
ban</a>.

<p><a href="http://www.reclaimthemedia.org">Reclaim the Media</a> | <a 
href="http://www.mediareform.net">Free Press</a>