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We Have Until December 11th |
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The deadline for submitting comments in opposition to the FCC’s latest attempt at media consolidation is now December 11th, one week before the scheduled vote. We need your help to generate as many comments as possible to oppose the proposed rule change. I really appreciate Crooks and Liars and Firedoglake bringing some much needed attention to this issue.
I’ll have nearly daily updates on this between now and December 11th. If you have any information or are looking for other ways to help, email me at josh@theseminal.com and I’ll be in touch.
More below the fold.
Here is what I previously mentioned you can do:
- Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Trent Loss (R-MS) have introduced legislation which would require the FCC to remedy the relative lack of minority media ownership before implementing any rule changes. Cosponsors already include Obama, Clinton, Biden, Kerry and Durbin. Where are Dodd, Feingold, Sanders and the other progressive leaders in the Senate? Use this simple form to write your Senators today, asking them to support S.2332, the Media Ownership Act of 2007.
- Common Cause says it well: “It’s eerily similar to what happened in 2003, when Michael Powell’s FCC voted for rules to allow massive media consolidation without public input… It seems that Kevin Martin hasn’t learned his lesson. He wants to lock the public out of this decision. That’s not acceptable.â€
Contact the FCC now and tell them you are opposed to their plans to relax media ownership limits. The vote is scheduled for December 18th, please do this now.- Common Cause is also soliciting stories from anyone who has interacted with the FCC in the past. Attended a public hearing? Submit a comment? Tell your story.
The things above are still the most important, but here are a few other things you can easily do.
- On Facebook? Join this group to show your opposition to the FCC rule change. Then, invite all of your friends to join as well.
- Keep Blogging and writing. Sites such as Cannonfire, Alternet, Ruth’s Report, Corrente Wire, Thoughts About 4KD, and many others. Add your site to the growing list.
- Send articulate letters to the FCC. Here is one Senator Feingold just sent:
“I have been fighting for years against the increasing consolidation of media ownership in this country. The 1996 Telecommunications Act, which I voted against, allowed for significant consolidation in radio ownership silencing many of the exceptional voices that are the strength of local radio. In the decade since the law’s passage, we have seen small and independent media outlets replaced by corporate monoliths. I have contacted FCC Chairman Kevin Martin with my concerns about the FCC’s failure to adequately address the harmful effects of media consolidation on local ownership, including minority-owned and women-owned broadcast stations. I also strongly support Senator Dorgan’s Media Ownership Act to improve transparency in media ownership rulemaking. I will push for adoption of Senator Dorgan’s bill and continue my efforts to ensure diverse and open media.â€
- Thank Bill Moyers for his excellent work on this issue. Bill’s work is an excellent example of what journalism should be doing: exposing corruption for the public good.
Most importantly: Contact the FCC now.
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