[IMC-Philly] Act Now to Save Media Diversity

With all that's going on in the world today, access to reliable and
relevant information has never been more important... or more at threat as
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) considers cutting rules
designed to protect media diversity, localism and independence.

Please take a moment to
PROTECT MEDIA DIVERSITY
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* FILE comments with the FCC by Jan. 2nd!:  http://www.mediatank.org
We've created a handy webform that's easy and maximizes your effort!  All
you do is type in your comments and contact info, hit SEND, and it
automatically goes into the FCC proceeding, as well as to the FCC
commissioners, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, and the senators from
your state!

* ENDORSE the Media Diversity Campaign:
Contact [mailto:[email protected]] or 215-563-1100 to sign on

* SPONSOR AN AD to help raise awareness:
to make a contribution or place an ad in your local paper,
contact Chicago Media Watch [mailto:cmwpac-QeDTeMdEb28VRtg/rZ3INx1hho49/[email protected]]

* VIEW a description of the ownership rules at stake:
http://www.aivf.org/advocacy/fcc.htm
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Today most of the nation's media is controlled by less than a dozen giant
corporations looking to get even bigger.  Their main interest is profit,
not the free flow of information.

Proposed changes would make it possible for one company to own multiple TV
and radio stations in the same town, as well as the daily newspaper(s), and
possibly even the cable system and main Internet Service Provider.  Imagine
just one media corporation controlling all the main news sources in your
town -- and hundreds of other towns across the country!  As these companies
merge, the fate of our news and information will be in fewer and fewer
corporate hands.

There is an FCC rulemaking open now to review these issues, and it is very
important to have public participation in this process.  They hear from
industry all the time - now they need to hear from you!

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POINTS TO CONSIDER:
- Do media deregulation and concentration serve the public?
Radio and cable industries have already been mostly deregulated, which has
largely been viewed as failure.  Most of the nation's radio stations are
now owned by just two companies who have laid off hundreds of people to
centralize production.  And despite promises, cable rates have skyrocketed
with increases over 30%.

- Has there been adequate time to study how the proposed actions will
affect media diversity?
The initial comment deadline of Dec. 2 was extended 30 days to Jan. 2nd.
The FCC released 12 studies on media concentration in October, (and the
underlying data released in Nov.) giving the public just two months -
during the main holiday season - to review and respond to critical issues
raised in these studies.  These are big decisions that will have a profound
affect on the media and our democracy.

- Has there been adequate outreach to include the public?
Despite the fact that the FCC is mandated to serve the public interest,
there has only been one public hearing scheduled in Richmond, VA in
February - after the deadline for public comments.  This does little to
involve the public in other parts of the country.  Since the FCC acts on
behalf of the public, they should encourage the broadest participation
possible.
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