Press Release
FCC to hold public hearing in St. Paul
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
Washington - In the wake of the Federal Communications Commission’s controversial 2003 loosening of media ownership rules, and the firestorm surrounding Sinclair Broadcast Group, FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps will host a forum to hear what Minnesotans think of their media. The hearing is one of several that have taken place across the country over the past two years, all attended by hundreds of critical and vocal citizens.
“These hearings are being held because more and more Americans understand that the U.S. media system is broken and our democracy hangs in the balance,” said Free Press executive director Josh Silver, “Media consolidation and the accompanying quest for higher profits come at the expense of investigative journalism, quality entertainment, and meaningful political debate. People get it, and this hearing is a rare opportunity for citizens to tell the FCC their concerns directly.”
Two weeks ago, Sinclair Broadcast Group attempted to air an anti-Kerry documentary, calling it ‘news’ to avoid equal time and election laws. The company’s action was met with a rapid and broad opposition from shareholders, advertisers, citizens and policymakers, resulting in an 11th hour about-face by the company. The incident reinvigorated the media ownership debate, and has once again put pro-consolidation advocates on the defensive.
“Next year, Congress will begin crafting legislation that will dramatically reshape our media system,” said Free Press president Robert McChesney. “Last time that happened, in 1996, no one except DC insiders knew about it, and the results were disastrous. Radio behemoths like Clear Channel were born, TV cable rates skyrocketed nearly 50% nationwide, and Congress gave away the public’s airwaves -- valued in the tens of billions -- to media corporations. Hearings like this are crucial to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
The forum is convened by the FCC and will include discussion of media consolidation and implications for media policy as it relates to next year’s expected reopening of the Telecommunications Act. All testimony will be recorded and submitted to the FCC and Minnesota's elected officials. Hamline University, in partnership Free Press and other local organizations, will host a series of events and workshops prior to the forum.
The hearing will also act as a send-off for Commissioner Adelstein, who will be leaving the FCC in December. While Congressional leaders sought his renomination, one has not been forthcoming from the Bush Administration.
The forum will be held from 7:00pm to 11:00pm on December 9th at Sundin Hall on the Hamline University campus in St. Paul.
“These hearings are being held because more and more Americans understand that the U.S. media system is broken and our democracy hangs in the balance,” said Free Press executive director Josh Silver, “Media consolidation and the accompanying quest for higher profits come at the expense of investigative journalism, quality entertainment, and meaningful political debate. People get it, and this hearing is a rare opportunity for citizens to tell the FCC their concerns directly.”
Two weeks ago, Sinclair Broadcast Group attempted to air an anti-Kerry documentary, calling it ‘news’ to avoid equal time and election laws. The company’s action was met with a rapid and broad opposition from shareholders, advertisers, citizens and policymakers, resulting in an 11th hour about-face by the company. The incident reinvigorated the media ownership debate, and has once again put pro-consolidation advocates on the defensive.
“Next year, Congress will begin crafting legislation that will dramatically reshape our media system,” said Free Press president Robert McChesney. “Last time that happened, in 1996, no one except DC insiders knew about it, and the results were disastrous. Radio behemoths like Clear Channel were born, TV cable rates skyrocketed nearly 50% nationwide, and Congress gave away the public’s airwaves -- valued in the tens of billions -- to media corporations. Hearings like this are crucial to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
The forum is convened by the FCC and will include discussion of media consolidation and implications for media policy as it relates to next year’s expected reopening of the Telecommunications Act. All testimony will be recorded and submitted to the FCC and Minnesota's elected officials. Hamline University, in partnership Free Press and other local organizations, will host a series of events and workshops prior to the forum.
The hearing will also act as a send-off for Commissioner Adelstein, who will be leaving the FCC in December. While Congressional leaders sought his renomination, one has not been forthcoming from the Bush Administration.
The forum will be held from 7:00pm to 11:00pm on December 9th at Sundin Hall on the Hamline University campus in St. Paul.
