[Seattle-editorial] Feature proposal: FCC

[Jeremy Kahn]

yes again. Good work as usual, jonathan.

--jeremy

jonathan lawson wrote:

> 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>
>
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