Help back Senators Kerry and Obama in stopping the FCC from allowing more media consolidation

[karynnj]

Here are links to two grassroots activist sites that are trying to show that the public is behind the bipartisan Senate opinion that the rules should not be changed.

This is an extremely important issue. How can you really have a democracy without having a free media that includes a diversity of voices.

http://www.freepress.net/actionnetwork/node/335

http://www.stopbigmedia.com/blog/2007/12/18/kerry-to-martin-stop-big-media/

If you thought that the Democrats had to work with an uneven media playing field in 2004, consider that it may be getting worse.

Kerry and Obama have written legislation to try to stop this as well.

[karynnj]

1. Kerry and Obama are also fighting this by threatening to block FCC funding

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/12/kerry_obama_threaten_to_block.php

[whometense]

2. Good on them.

If yesterday's triumph by Dodd and activists does anything, it should restore our faith in the power of a few motivated individuals to change the seemingly unchangeable.

[karynnj]

3. I hope so - we need to fight back.

[blm]

8. FISA will even get more media attention than this will. Media is dug in against

any coverage of this issue it seems.

[ProSense]

6. Thanks for posting!

This is exactly what they should do!

[AzDar]

4. K & R...

:kick:

[beachmom]

5. K & R. This needs more visibility. n/t

[blm]

7. Gee - wonder why corpmedia isn't talking about this issue?

I hope the bloggers take notice en masse. Hell - even the RW bloggers should have noticed this issue is not to ANY citizen's benefit.

[karynnj]

9. Maybe with a controversial title - Senators blast Bush appointee

I assume with the elections and the holidays, it will be tough to get enough visibility - but it looks like there sure were many angry Senators on this - and you know Bush is going too far if Lott and Stevens side with Kerry.

[Uncle Joe]

10. Kicked and I wish to recommend this twice.

Thanks for the thread, karynnj.

Edit for P.S. I believe if anything the media is too consolidated and should be broken up.

[karynnj]

12. I agree

Here's a great editorial that he and Obama wrote that deals with that.

"The bedrock of America’s greatest advances — the foundation of what we know today are defining values — was formed not by cheering on things as they were, but by taking them on and demanding change. The thoughtful exchange of diverse viewpoints not only helps guarantee our freedom as individuals, it ensures those in power can be held accountable for all that they do.


But to engage in the debates that have always made America stronger, it takes a stage and a platform for discussion — and never before have these platforms been more endangered.


In recent years, we have witnessed unprecedented consolidation in our traditional media outlets. Large mergers and corporate deals have reduced the number of voices and viewpoints in the media marketplace. At the same time, massive technological change and an explosion of Internet access have opened new avenues for information and new methods of discourse. One thing we can be sure of — change is upon us.


As we look toward the future, we must ensure that all voices in our diverse nation have the opportunity to be heard. One important way to do this is to expand the ownership stake of women-owned, minority-owned and small businesses in our media outlets."

http://kerry.senate.gov/cfm/record.cfm?id=286091

[MzNov]

11. K & R