Press Release
Democracy Depends on Diverse Media, Senators Say
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON – Today, a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski reminding him that the Senate continues to be concerned about the dangers of media consolidation. Sens. Byron Dorgan, Maria Cantwell and Olympia Snowe urged Chairman Genachowski to avoid the missteps of previous FCC chairmen, and to ensure that the public’s access to diverse, competing, local and accountable media outlets remains protected.
“The strength of our democracy depends on a citizenry informed by local and diverse voices in our media. While Americans increasingly seek out news online, local newspapers and broadcast stations continue to be the dominant source of news and information. As you consider future action, we urge you not to forget the Senate’s interest in maintaining the public interest goals of localism, diversity, and competition in our media,” the senators wrote.
Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright commended the bipartisan letter:
“The threat of media consolidation is not a left or right issue – it is a public interest issue. All communities, large and small, deserve diverse, competing and independent local media. The FCC media ownership rules provide crucial safeguards against the consolidation of media sources in the hands of a few companies, and maximize the provision of diverse ideas and competing viewpoints. We encourage the Commission to tighten media ownership rules to protect the public's access to diverse information.”
In May, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on its media ownership rules as part of the agency’s statutory requirement to review its rules every four years. Free Press has submitted extensive FCC filings demonstrating that media consolidation adversely affects the provision of local news from diverse sources. Consolidation also raises barriers to entry for new and independent media owners, including women and people of color.
Link to Letter: http://www.freepress.net/resource/senators-letter-fcc-chairman-regards-media-ownership-rules
Link to “Out of the Picture: Minority and Female TV Station Ownership in the United States”: http://www.stopbigmedia.com/files/out_of_the_picture.pdf
Link to “Off the Dial”: http://www.stopbigmedia.com/=off_the_dial
Link to Free Press’ filing in the 2010 FCC Quadrennial Review: http://www.freepress.net/resource/comments-fp-2010-fcc-quadrennial-review-media-ownership-rules
“The strength of our democracy depends on a citizenry informed by local and diverse voices in our media. While Americans increasingly seek out news online, local newspapers and broadcast stations continue to be the dominant source of news and information. As you consider future action, we urge you not to forget the Senate’s interest in maintaining the public interest goals of localism, diversity, and competition in our media,” the senators wrote.
Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright commended the bipartisan letter:
“The threat of media consolidation is not a left or right issue – it is a public interest issue. All communities, large and small, deserve diverse, competing and independent local media. The FCC media ownership rules provide crucial safeguards against the consolidation of media sources in the hands of a few companies, and maximize the provision of diverse ideas and competing viewpoints. We encourage the Commission to tighten media ownership rules to protect the public's access to diverse information.”
In May, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on its media ownership rules as part of the agency’s statutory requirement to review its rules every four years. Free Press has submitted extensive FCC filings demonstrating that media consolidation adversely affects the provision of local news from diverse sources. Consolidation also raises barriers to entry for new and independent media owners, including women and people of color.
Link to Letter: http://www.freepress.net/resource/senators-letter-fcc-chairman-regards-media-ownership-rules
Link to “Out of the Picture: Minority and Female TV Station Ownership in the United States”: http://www.stopbigmedia.com/files/out_of_the_picture.pdf
Link to “Off the Dial”: http://www.stopbigmedia.com/=off_the_dial
Link to Free Press’ filing in the 2010 FCC Quadrennial Review: http://www.freepress.net/resource/comments-fp-2010-fcc-quadrennial-review-media-ownership-rules
