Washblog || Critical Media Consolidation Hearing in Seattle: Does the FCC Hope we Don't Show Up?

Critical Media Consolidation Hearing in Seattle: Does the FCC Hope we Don't Show Up?

By noemie maxwell
Tue Oct 23, 2007 at 06:50:13 PM PST
Section: Washington State Topic: Alternative and Community Media

The Federal Communications Commission is coming to Seattle for its final public hearing on media consolidation. The hearing, the last of just six across the nation, will take place in November, on a date yet to be announced. All five FCC commissioners will attend the hearing, and all of the testimony will be part of the public record. This is an incredibly important meeting.

The FCC is preparing to rewrite the rules that set how many TV and radio stations and newspapers one company can own. Reclaim the Media is holding a series of workshops to help people prepare to testify about the importance of locally accountable media, diverse voices on the airwaves -- and any of the other issues affected by media consolidation. Reclaim the Media Trainings will be held on: Weds. Oct, 24, 8-10pm at Hidmo (20th and Jackson); Mon. Oct 29, 7-9pm at Beacon Hill Library (2821 Beacon Ave S.); and Thurs. Nov 1, 6pm-8pm at Cal Anderson Park (1635 11th Ave.)
The text of this article is taken from Reclaim the Media materials

Issues that the new rules will cover include:

whether one company should be allowed to own newspapers, radio and TV in the same town
media ownership by minorities and women
the impact of consolidated media on Native American communities
the impact of radio consolidation on regional music scenes
the extent to which internet and internet governance issues affect media ownership policy

Last week, national news revealed that the FCC leadership plans to hold the last of six official public hearings on media ownership rules in Seattle. They haven't announced a date yet, but it'll probably be soon - it's part of Chairman Kevin Martin's plan to fast-track the FCC's plans to rewrite the rules limiting concentration of media companies like Clear Channel and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. The upcoming Seattle hearing will be the only chance for Northwest residents to weigh in on proposals that would allow giant media companies to grow even more concentrated."

Given the fast-track plans, it appears that the FCC would prefer the public not show up to these final 6 hearings. Authentic public voices in support of local culture, local politics, and diverse views and voices are critical. Watch Reclaim the Media for the latest updates and visit Stop Big Media for more on the issues.

Some information you can print and distribute:

< Interview with Richard Pope, Candidate for King County Council | Well, the Red Sox should just mail it in >

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