Nonprofits Funded by Comcast Want You to Ignore Possible Impact of Comcast-NBC Merger on Media

Steve Macek, an associate professor at North Central College and also someone affiliated with Chicago Media Action, explained that the merger would cost Chicago jobs and "undermine local journalism, limit consumer options, [and] place increased control over Chicago's media in the hands of a company that is notorious for its abysmally low customer satisfaction ratings and its disregard for workers' rights."

Macek wondered about the future of his students who are aspiring to become broadcasters and journalists and highlighted the fact that following AOL's merger with Time Warner in 2000, the combined company laid off some 2,400 employees in the first year alone, which was about 3% of its "pre-merger work force." He reminded the FCC that this was at a time when "the economy was booming and media companies were flush with ad revenues." Comcast, according to Macek, employs 7500 people in the Chicago area so, if it were to trim 3% of its work force, that would mean about 225 workers would be cut. Yet, because Comcast will be taking on debt in order to merge, the cuts, Macek said, would probably be much more severe.

The loss of jobs, the increase in cable and Internet prices to consumers, Comcast's opposition to net neutrality, and Comcast's opposition to unions were all highlighted. But, one key issue, in the end, was paramount: What would happen to public access television if the merger was allowed?

Barbara Popovich, Executive Director of Chicago Access Network Television (CAN-TV), one of the largest and most widely used public access televison network in the country, stated, "In Chicago, Comcast has made good in its obligation regarding the public access, but Comcast's support of public channels has been withdrawn in a growing number of places where government has failed to protect the public."

Popovich suggested that some type of government intervention may be called for especially if, as the Alliance for Communication and Democracy's filed comments indicate, Comcast's public interest assertions about the merger may be questionable.

Nick Karl from Kartemquin Films, a film company in Chicago that primarily makes documentary films, explained that he was "speaking on behalf of public access television" and how it had helped him launch a career in documentary filmmaking. He wanted the FCC to not forget the "role of public access channels" as a "vital public sphere for people who want a way to express their voice."

And, Vicki Cervantes, who said she was with a community media producers group, Enlojo, an all-volunteer group that does work in Latino communities in the Pilsen and Little Village areas of Chicago, said she was "very concerned about the protection of public access." She called on the FCC to do more to regulate and enforce regulations on public access so public access could remain protected and she echoed a point made previously.

"We do not believe the role of the FCC is to make decisions based on how generous a company may be to community organizations but on what's good for democracy and media and democracy in this country, " said Cervantes.

Finally, it may be the proud member of the Chicago chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Greg Davis, who stood up to tell his story at the hearing, that citizens should aim to protect most when deciding whether to support or oppose the merger -

"In 2007, I produced a miniseries on original members of the Tuskegee Airmen that aired on public access channels. I am sure you all are aware of the history and denial faced by all of the original members of the Tuskegee Airmen when they returned to public life. That miniseries, while not perfect in its production, was only possible because we in Chicago had access to public channels that was independent of corporate control. The merger of Comcast and NBC is simply the combining of two mega giants already in the industry. Organizations like the Tuskegee Airmen need a method to broadcast their programs that can only be accomplished with open access to public channels."

The presence of nonprofit organizations indicated that Comcast is doing everything to make sure this merger happens. There really weren't all that many people at the hearing who weren't "working for" Comcast, who didn't have a conflict of interest and stand to possibly benefit from a merger (although merging could mean Comcast has to cut funding to some of these nonprofit organizations).

The reality is that if this merger takes place Comcast will be the dominant Chicago cable provider and Internet provider and will own Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, NBC Chicago and Telemundo and, nationally, it will own at least 42 cable television networks, at least nine international channels, two broadcast networks, a number of digital media properties like Hulu.com, and Universal Studios/Production and Universal Studios Home Entertainment along with all of Univeral's theme parks and resorts.

The merger will produce a behemoth that will dominate areas of production and distribution in this country. It also could potentially have all the features of a too-big-to-fail corporation, which means American taxpayers could end up supporting the new conglomerate if it takes on too much economic risk as a result of the merger.