June 28.2009

Victoria Theater, 2961 16th Street
San Francisco
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At 3:00 PM on Sunday June 28, the Hispanic/Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition, Media Alliance, and California Common Cause will mount a rally outside the San Francisco premiere of Broadcast Blues at the Victoria Theater at 16th and Mission. The message is clear: Tell the FCC to schedule hearings on hate radio. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal agency which oversees broadcasters.

"A recent UCLA study shows a correlation between hate radio and hate crimes. We are demanding the FCC listen to the public about this crucial public interest problem," says Dr. Marcos Gutierrez, radio host and director of Hecho en California Radio.

Tracy Rosenberg of Media Alliance says, "How is in the public interest to call other human beings …vermin? If I were a regulator whose job was to rent out the nation's communication space, I'd look into that. That's what we're asking the FCC to do."

"Common Cause is concerned when a few corporations own our media resulting in less local programming and fewer viewpoints being broadcast. More alarming, we are hearing more 'hate speech' including broadcasters spreading misin formation, stereotyping, and fostering violence against certain people or groups," notes California Common Cause staffer Emily Pears.

Broadcasters say they have the right to exercise Free Speech, but Broadcast Blues director Sue Wilson challenges that assertion. "There is free speech, and there is radio speech. The two are not the same. When the radio dial is opened up to all points of view, radio speech will be free. Until then, it is owned and operated for a political agenda. That must change." Broadcast Blues reminds us that we the people own the airwaves, and that we do have the power to hold stations and the FCC accountable.

The rally will be held at the Victoria Theater, 2961 16th Street, San Francisco, at the 16th St. BART station. The screening of Broadcast Blues will follow at 4PM.

Contact: Sue Wilson, Public Interest Pictures 916-812-4931
Tracy Rosenberg, Media Alliance 510-832-9000