WTO to Extend its Purview to Media

(Forwarded from National Federation of Community Broadcasters list)

------- Forwarded message follows -------
From:           	[email protected]
Date sent:      	Fri, 29 Aug 2003 15:34:01 EDT
Subject:        	[NFCB] WTO and Media
To:             	[email protected]

Please post to all media reform and global issues lists:

This September at the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in 
Cancun, Mexico, the US Trade Representative will attempt to expand the 
WTO's power over Communications and Audiovisual Services. This 
includes film, radio, television, video, and music production, as well 
as media distribution services such as satellite, cable and 
broadcast.  

The result could spell disaster for vibrant media systems worldwide: 
US regulations that favor media diversity, localism and the public 
interest could be attacked as "barriers to trade." Media ownership 
limits, as well as Federal and state programs that encourage diverse 
media, could be considered outright trade violations.  

Please go to www.mediareform.net/global. Sign the petition. Pass it 
along to others concerned with media or global issues. The petition 
will be delivered to Congress shortly before the WTO meeting in mid-
September.  

A massive wave of public pressure is essential to move Congress to 
block Big Media's power grab at the WTO.  

For more information, please go to www.mediareform.net  

Thank you,

Robert McChesney
Free Press
www.mediareform.net
[email protected]