Press Release
FCC Commissioners to headline ‘Town Meeting on the Future of Media’ in Iowa City
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
Federal Communications Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps will visit Iowa City next Wednesday to listen to local citizens' concerns about media consolidation. This "Town Meeting on the Future of the Media" is a rare opportunity for the public to participate directly in crafting media policies that serve the public interest.
WHAT: Town Meeting on the Future of Media
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, 7 p.m.
WHERE: University of Iowa, Pomerantz Center, Room C20, Iowa City (located at the corner of Market St. and the T. Anne Cleary Walkway, across from the John Pappajohn Business Building)
WHO: FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps, local leaders and media representatives, concerned citizens
The forum, which is free and open to the public, will feature panel discussions on how media concentration affects local news and information. The forum will also include an open microphone session for the public to offer testimony on media issues to Commissioners Adelstein and Copps. All testimony will be recorded and submitted to the FCC and Iowa's elected officials.
"The public has been left out of the decision-making process on media policy for far too long," said Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, a national, nonpartisan media policy group that has helped organize previous hearings in Albuquerque, N.M, Portland, Ore., Dearborn, Mich., and St. Paul, Minn. "Media consolidation and the accompanying quest for higher profits come at the expense of investigative journalism, quality entertainment and meaningful political debate. This forum will give Iowans a chance to voice their concerns to the FCC."
The Iowa City meeting is being organized by Free Press and the University of Iowa Lecture Committee in partnership with many local organizations, including Iowans for Better Local Television, FAIR!, Progressive Action for the Common Good, Iowa City Federation of Labor, SEIU Local 199, Johnson County Democracy for America, Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Iowa Civil Liberties Union, Linn County InterReligious Council, American Federation of Teachers Local 716, AFSCME Local 12, League of Rural Voters, Iowa City GLBT Pride Committee, Quad Cities Interfaith, Iowa City Public Access Television, Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Johnson County League of Women Voters and ICAN.
"People should come out and tell the commissioners what they would like to see changed," said Trish Nelson of Iowans for Better Local Television. "How often do we get a chance to have a conversation with someone in a position to shape the media? This is an incredible opportunity for people to participate in something that could actually have an impact."
Along with a variety of local partners, Free Press is also organizing a series of workshops to help residents of Eastern Iowa prepare comments in advance of the forum. The workshops are scheduled to take place in:
Cedar Rapids
Wednesday, Sept. 28
7 p.m.
Community of Christ Church
1500 Blairs Ferry Rd.
Hiawatha, Iowa
Sponsor: Community of Christ Church
Quad Cities
Saturday, Oct. 1
10:30 a.m.
The LULAC Club 4224 Ricker Hill Road
Davenport, Iowa
Sponsor: Progressive Action for the Common Good
Iowa City
Sunday, Oct. 2
2 p.m.
Iowa City Public Library
Room A
Sponsor: FAIR
Monday, October 3
5 p.m.
Public Access Television Studio
206 Lafayette Street
Sponsor: Public Access TV
Tuesday, Oct. 4
6 p.m.
AFSCME Office in Eastdale Plaza
1700 South 1st Ave, Suite 19
(Right above the DMV)
Sponsor: Iowa City Federation of Labor
"For anyone who's concerned about the content on local and national radio and TV, media bias and the lack of reporting on issues that matter, it's imperative to participate in this town hall meeting," said Caroline Vernon of Progressive Action for the Common Good. "Democracy is not just a spectator sport; it's what we make of it."
For more information on the Town Meeting on the Future of Media or the workshops, please click here.
WHAT: Town Meeting on the Future of Media
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, 7 p.m.
WHERE: University of Iowa, Pomerantz Center, Room C20, Iowa City (located at the corner of Market St. and the T. Anne Cleary Walkway, across from the John Pappajohn Business Building)
WHO: FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps, local leaders and media representatives, concerned citizens
The forum, which is free and open to the public, will feature panel discussions on how media concentration affects local news and information. The forum will also include an open microphone session for the public to offer testimony on media issues to Commissioners Adelstein and Copps. All testimony will be recorded and submitted to the FCC and Iowa's elected officials.
"The public has been left out of the decision-making process on media policy for far too long," said Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, a national, nonpartisan media policy group that has helped organize previous hearings in Albuquerque, N.M, Portland, Ore., Dearborn, Mich., and St. Paul, Minn. "Media consolidation and the accompanying quest for higher profits come at the expense of investigative journalism, quality entertainment and meaningful political debate. This forum will give Iowans a chance to voice their concerns to the FCC."
The Iowa City meeting is being organized by Free Press and the University of Iowa Lecture Committee in partnership with many local organizations, including Iowans for Better Local Television, FAIR!, Progressive Action for the Common Good, Iowa City Federation of Labor, SEIU Local 199, Johnson County Democracy for America, Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Iowa Civil Liberties Union, Linn County InterReligious Council, American Federation of Teachers Local 716, AFSCME Local 12, League of Rural Voters, Iowa City GLBT Pride Committee, Quad Cities Interfaith, Iowa City Public Access Television, Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Johnson County League of Women Voters and ICAN.
"People should come out and tell the commissioners what they would like to see changed," said Trish Nelson of Iowans for Better Local Television. "How often do we get a chance to have a conversation with someone in a position to shape the media? This is an incredible opportunity for people to participate in something that could actually have an impact."
Along with a variety of local partners, Free Press is also organizing a series of workshops to help residents of Eastern Iowa prepare comments in advance of the forum. The workshops are scheduled to take place in:
Cedar Rapids
Wednesday, Sept. 28
7 p.m.
Community of Christ Church
1500 Blairs Ferry Rd.
Hiawatha, Iowa
Sponsor: Community of Christ Church
Quad Cities
Saturday, Oct. 1
10:30 a.m.
The LULAC Club 4224 Ricker Hill Road
Davenport, Iowa
Sponsor: Progressive Action for the Common Good
Iowa City
Sunday, Oct. 2
2 p.m.
Iowa City Public Library
Room A
Sponsor: FAIR
Monday, October 3
5 p.m.
Public Access Television Studio
206 Lafayette Street
Sponsor: Public Access TV
Tuesday, Oct. 4
6 p.m.
AFSCME Office in Eastdale Plaza
1700 South 1st Ave, Suite 19
(Right above the DMV)
Sponsor: Iowa City Federation of Labor
"For anyone who's concerned about the content on local and national radio and TV, media bias and the lack of reporting on issues that matter, it's imperative to participate in this town hall meeting," said Caroline Vernon of Progressive Action for the Common Good. "Democracy is not just a spectator sport; it's what we make of it."
For more information on the Town Meeting on the Future of Media or the workshops, please click here.
