In 2003, FCC Chairman Michael Powell attempted to loosen media consolidation rules, but was halted by a federal court in a landmark decision. Now, current Chairman Kevin Martin is threatening the same, and he's meeting with bi-partisan opposition in the unlikely partnership of Senators Byron Dorgan and Trent Lott, along with legislators from both sides of the aisle.
What Martin is attempting is to allow media ownership of broadcast and newspapers by the same owner in the same market. And he's given the public five days notice to voice our opposition.
It's important to remember here that the airwaves belong to the public. And the public needs news and opinion from diverse sources to make informed decisions. Without regulations regarding media ownership, newspapers, radio and television stations in our communities could easily be bought whole by huge media conglomerates giving the public little access to disparate opinions and threatening the core principles of our democracy.
That would be bad.
"The thoughtful exchange of diverse viewpoints not only helps guarantee our freedom as individuals, it ensures those in power can be held accountable for all that they do. But to engage in the debates that have always made America stronger, it takes a stage and a platform for discussion — and never before have these platforms been more endangered." -John Kerry and Barack Obama
From the early days of our republic, access to information has been considered essential to liberty, and it's been commonly held that in the marketplace of ideas there would be more than one brand.
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." -Thomas Jefferson
Imagine that your local news all comes from one source. Right or left isn't the point. You are basically hearing the opinion of one person who owns all the media in your area, and soon have no idea what the opposition believes. There is only one story, only one opinion. And it's not yours.
“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right. . . and a desire to know." -John Adams
No matter what your politics, media consolidation is not a good thing for America. Diversity of opinion has always been cherished as a foundation of our democracy, and the left and the right and everyone in between are at risk of losing our right to hear opposing points of view.
"The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over its government." -FDR
So, write to your Congresspeople and let them know your opinion. While you still have one.
"There is going to be a firestorm of protest, and I will be carrying the wood." -Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Comments (3)
Posted by karendc | October 28, 2007 11:52 AM
Our presence will be noted at Wednesday's hearing here in DC.
Faith, come on down and join in!
Posted by Faith | October 28, 2007 12:47 PM
Karen, if there's a firestorm, I know you'll be there with matches. Light one for me.
Posted by hailo sewanderonke | October 29, 2007 3:57 PM
good source of information is the best,it heals the nation.