FCC

The FCC came one step closer to increasing the diversity in media ownership by proposing changes that should give the public accurate information on the race, ethnicity and gender of broadcast station owners. And as technology becomes central to media distribution, anyone with a message to share must embrace their inner geek.

The FCC voted to punish Comcast for blocking users' access to the Internet. And the People’s Production House arms up-and-coming journalists with the skills they need to create media.

Calling the FCC’s decision to relax media ownership rules “arrogant” and a “cave-in to corporate interests,” Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) introduced a “Resolution of Disapproval” that would nullify the decision. And a new study on the 2008 presidential primaries shows that news coverage about the “horse race” dominates all other aspects of campaigning.

If you or your constituents want to be part of the fight to stop Big Media, the clock is ticking.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin plans to call a vote at the FCC's monthly meeting tomorrow on his proposal to allow more media consolidation. Hundreds of national, state, and local organizations are mobilizing to turn up the heat on Martin to cancel the vote and establish a fair process for public input. We need to deal with crucial issues of localism and minority media ownership before considering any new rules.

But Martin seems to be done listening to the public, so our main pressure point right now is the Senate's bipartisan Media Ownership Act of 2007 (S. 2332).

This was a watershed week for media reform, as three important bills passed congressional committees and activists rallied in front of FCC headquarters before the final localism hearing. Meanwhile, a new study shows media consolidation is detrimental to children's programming.

Related Links

Public interest groups want to know why the DOJ submitted a filing to the FCC against Net Neutrality – six weeks after the deadline. And OneWebDay's founder talks about why we need to take time to appreciate the Web.

Media Minutes: September 14, 2007
The FCC is holding a public hearing on media ownership in Chicago on Sept. 20, and local organizers are busy educating the public about the issues. And public access television stations across the country are gearing up for local elections.