Summation of the
FCC “Town Meeting”
The Panel of experts consisted of:
Led by Federal Communications Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein
Representing newspapers: Mary Anna Towler, co-publisher of City Newspaper and past president of the New York Press Association.
Representing Radio: Richard C. Greene,
owner and manager of WLVL-AM, which serves
Representing communications employees: Damone
Richardson, Director of Survey Research and Strategy Development with the
Cornell University School of Industrial and labor Relations, Extension division
in
Representing television: Norm Silverstein,
president and CEO of WXXI Public Broadcasting Council in
Dr. Lauren Vicker, Chair of the
Communications department of
Louise M. Slaughter, Member of Congress, put on the event.
For developments as they occur, both in here and in
Topic of discussion: The effects or growing media consolidation and how that impacts our news, our lives, and our democracy.
Summation of the town hall meeting on media issues:
- Louise started the show with a
very well informed speech. She pointed out that she and Mr. Adelstein have been fighting for some time to drum up
support for localism and at one point there was a vote to try and put the
genie back in the box on June 6th of this past year. That the government
is so influenced by the media giants that no one even bothered to let FCC
bring issue to the people and took the issue to one small city for
feedback. It’s only been recently that at least 2million emails stating
concern are now being sent to the FCC and Louise, which in her opinion is
very significant. No matter what political affiliation all can see eye to
eye on this issue.
- Louise and Mr. Adelstien pointed out that less then one minute of
total airtime is now spent on local news and issues on TV and radio. Most
towns and cities in the
- 3 companies now own most of the
media Viacom, Clear Channel and Westwood One. That the media has lost its
responsibility to big business that can buy the government and persuade
media with money to no longer report on important local issues that affect
a citizen’s everyday life and keep the government honest.
- Media companies are having a
race to the bottom, all in the name of money. Brought to a head by the Super
Bowl incident.
- Anti-trust laws will not apply
under the telecommunications act of 1996 and now cross ownership of radio
and TV are now possible. Outsourcing of jobs is now prevalent and even
some news stories are now done out of town and broadcast locally, for
example the weather. An audience member whom was affected by this
outsourcing also pointed out this fact.
- It was said that the super bowl
incident responsibility infighting between Viacom and MTV was a joke
because Viacom owns MTV.
- They said that non-localism can
lead to dangerous situations such as in one city there was a chemical
spill that was creeping towards peoples homes and
when the local authorities went to inform people through the local media
no one was around to answer phones because all were automated by companies
out of town except for one.
- They and the panel in general
kept pointing out that no democracy is left in the media, which was in my
opinion mentioned way to much and kind of
cheapened the idea.
- Adelstein said that media is still a
business but the spectrum is limited, and truly owned by the public thus
the FCC needs to inform and police them that the government can’t just
issue anyone a license since new frequencies can’t be created, the
government can‘t play mother nature and expand the spectrum.
- Louise mentioned Bob but
casually by saying "We all know what happened here in
- They also mentioned how big
companies such as Clear Channel fire the local host and bring in a new
"local" out of town host to their liking (puppet).
- Adelstein also said it may be a hard
issue to solve because the government likes to use "grand fathering in"
when it comes to repealing anything. Meaning if they repeal everything
today it only stops different new companies from becoming media giants all
the others remain status quo such as Clear Channel. This is why some
companies move quickly when the government makes a decision that doesn’t
immediately have high returns.
- Mary Anne Towler’s main point was most towns and
cities in US now have one newspaper that is owned by out of town
companies. That the D and C was seen as fluff and a feel good joke, which
received, a resounding applause from the audience. I hate her paper but
she seemed very conservative in her speech.
- 3 companies now own most major
media Richard C. Greene pointed out. That to own a radio station
now it would take at least six million in capital hardly any room for the
little local guy to start up a locally owned station. That
- Damone Richardson I must admit was a bore and
his opening sentence contained a double negative, which lost me. His main
point was the outsourcing of media both home and abroad and how media
giants affect the little guy worker.
- Norm Silverstein was good but wore his
liberalism on his sleeve in my opinion. He pointed out that 3 companies
now own most of media;
All in all I thought it was worthwhile, but I do smell a rat only
because they seemed to dwell on the decency issue. I fear they will use this to
stamp out hosts that don’t agree with them such as Bob. I feel the solution
lies in turning back the clock, repealing the 1996 telecommunications act and
bust up the rest under monopoly laws to get around this "grand fathering
in".
The only part that was a joke was the question and answer session.
I thought people having to get up and announce himself or she was ridiculous.
There was one real kook who was saying the media has not and will not show
tapes of the plane hitting the pentagon on 911. The last straw came when the
self-centered blah blah blah
from “people for a better bus terminal” had to announce herself and her
organization, that’s when I got the hell out of there.
Note: If I have made any mistakes I apologize in advance I am going
from memory and some very brief notes, I was in the standing room only section,
which made it hard to take notes. This is also a summation not intended to be
complete sentences or well written.
Solutions: (as suggested by representative Slaughter)
Tell policymakers what you think.
In 2003, over 2 million people contacted the FCC and Congress and it made a difference.
The FCC accepts public comments through their electronic comment filing system:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or you can reach them by phone at 1-888-CALL-FCC
Speak out for media reform.
Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about media reform. Organize a group in your area to discuss media issues and plan actions. Make media an issue within groups you are already active in.
Use the media to raise awareness.
Write an Op-ed or letter to the editor of your local newspaper, telling them what you think is wrong with media and what should be done (go to congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media). Call in to talk radio shows to voice your perspective. Engage alternative media like your local public access TV station, church or community newsletters.
Become an e-activist.
Free Press sends updates to activists about campaigns to support or oppose legislation. You can subscribe at http://www.mediareform.net/mailinglist.php
Ask candidates about media reform.
Tell candidates for elected office why you are concerned about media and ask them if they will support public interest media policies.
Check your local stations’ public files.
Radio and television stations are required to maintain a public file, containing information about ownership, citizen agreements, children’s programming, and political advertising. All you have to do is walk into the station’s headquarters during business and request to see the Public File. This shows the station that citizens are interested in holding it accountable and provides you with information about how they are complying with public interest obligations.
Participate in the broadcast license renewal process.
In
Get involved with a media reform organization near
you.
There are many organizations across the country doing great work on media literacy and media policy. Find one near you using this online database: http://www.mediare.net/organizations.php
Learn more.
The web site http://www.mediareform.net provides a wealth of information. Also try books by Robert McChesney, Ben Bagdikian, or Eric Alterman.
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