Here we go again. I received the following call to action from AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and I would urge you to participate and encourage others to do so.
As we have all seen, the corporate influence on the media has contributed in a major way to the downward slide of our democracy on many levels. Most mainstream media outlets are owned by a handful of corporations who control content and, increasingly, limit workers ability to organize or negotiate reasonable contracts.
So what the heck am I talking about? The AFTRA message states it more concisely than I can.
In 2003, the Federal Communications Commission attempted a sweeping re-write of regulations governing media ownership, which, had it prevailed, would have resulted in alarming consolidation of media ownership. The 2003 review of media ownership rules occurred with no advance notice of what the Commission’s intention was, and little opportunity for public comment.
In spite of the FCC’s attempt to push through an agenda of “increased media consolidation”, the public outcry was overwhelming. Americans sent millions of messages to the FCC, demanding sensible media ownership guidelines.
But the FCC didn’t listen.
When the FCC tried to issue rules that would effectively eliminate any meaningful media ownership rules, Congress and the courts intervened. The 2003 consolidation juggernaut was stopped briefly, but now, the FCC is once again preparing to gut its ownership regulations.
On June 21, the FCC commissioners will vote to establish a procedure for a review of media ownership regulations. Contact the FCC and let them know that the public needs to be heard before any new ownership rules are enacted.
Don’t let the FCC push through a re-write of regulations governing media ownership without ample opportunity for public scrutiny and comment.
You can contact the FCC commissioners here. It only takes a minute.
