 |
|
Add to My Group
|
November 27, 2007 at 20:18:12
Media for the Masses, not amassed media monopolization by Richard Mathis Page 1 of 1 page(s) 
|
|
 
|
Not that I really feel that way. I’m just trying to make a point. But let’s say I’m very rich and I want you to only listen to me. For starters I buy all the newspapers in town. Then I buy all the radio stations. And since I’m really rich, I’ll buy all the television stations.
Because I’m really smart, I’m also going to buy the cable and internet providers. I also want all the publishing houses.
Then my voice will be the only voice heard. No opposing points of view will be allowed. No information will be given that contradicts my agenda.
Wait a minute, you say. The government would never allow that. There’s some kind of law requiring media outlets to provide both sides of the story. Not anymore is there a Fairness Doctrine. Nobody is required to present opposing views.
But surely the government would never allow for one individual or corporation to monopolize the media outlets in a community. That would be akin to what the robber barons did in the late 1800's. But with monopolization of the media you could easily have clobber barons whose agenda was not serving the greater good but serving their greed and lust for power.
Unbelievably, the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) is considering expanding media consolidation. Chairman Kevin J. Martin does not need Congressional approval to ease regulations preventing one corporation from controlling any given market.
If this scares you then you have bipartisan company. Senators Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) have introduced the "Media Ownership Act of 2007" (S. 2332). The likes of Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) are cosponsoring the bill which would:
establish a 90 day period for public comment on any proposed FCC media ownership rules
require the FCC to determine how media consolidation impacts a community with input from the community
establish an independent panel on female and minority ownership
Show support of this legislation by sending a message to your Senator and Congressmen asking for quick action on this legislation and for them to exert their influence to prevent the FCC from allowing media monopolization. Freedom of speech: use it or loose it.
Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people:
Tell Congress to stop the FCC from easing rules on media consolidation
Click here to see the most recent messages sent to congressional reps and local newspapers
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
 Contact Author |
Contact Editor |
 View Authors' Articles |
|
|
| 1 comments |
|
On Megamonopolies....
Then too don't forget the attempt to bring the entire format of satellite radio under the complete control of one corporation - the proposed merger of XM and Sirius radio would effectively end the dynamic of good old fashioned American hard work and competition, giving one provider a nationwide monopoly. What's worse, a group of our elected Congressional Reps recently took time away from important Congressional business to tap-dance for the satellite companies and recommend approval of the merger deal, entering an official letter into the record. I'm disgusted with my Rep for being on this list. Perhaps yours is too, signalling his love for big business while ignoring the biggest issues concerning voters today. by Gustav Wynn (77 articles, 65 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 422 comments [34 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 at 9:05:20 PM  (0+)
|
Want to post your own comment on this Article? 
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell a Friend:
|
Copyright © 2002-2009, OpEdNews |
