CHICAGO MEDIA ACTION
www.chicagomediaaction.org
For Immediate Release
June 2, 2003
Contact: Karen Young
773-404-8258
FCC Decision A Blow to American Democracy; Concerned Citizens Vow "This Isn't Over"
Today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission to weaken existing
media ownership rules strikes at the heart of American democracy. Passed
as expected on a 3-2 party-line vote, the decision will allow a single
company to own television stations reaching well over half of the public, to
own two or even three TV stations in many markets, and to own both TV
stations and newspapers in the same community. The decision benefits the
largest media companies, and came despite a deluge of more than 500,000
public comments to the FCC, almost all in opposition. However, local media
activists are heartened by the explosive growth of support for the media
democracy movement in the weeks before the vote, and plan to redouble their
efforts to challenge mainstream media and build support for independent
media.
Chicago was one of several cities around the country that passed a
resolution opposing the FCC's deregulation push (they include Chicago,
Seattle, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Buffalo, as well as the
state of Vermont). The resolution passed 50-0 on May 8, indicating the
broad support here for ownership limits. The Midwest Public Forum on Media
Ownership, held April 2 at Northwestern University School of Law, was one of
eight forums on the issue held around the country and brought concerned
citizens together from around the Chicago area. Karen Young of Chicago
Media Action (CMA) stated, "As Ted Turner said in his editorial opposing the
FCC's decision, this isn't over. June 2 starts the next phase of the media
democracy movement. Hundreds of thousands of people all over this country
have come together around the understanding that a free press is vital to
our democracy. When Trent Lott and Tim Robbins can agree on something, you
know it's powerful. Here in Chicago, new bonds have been forged among
media activists, the peace movement, and others around this issue. We grow
stronger and more united every day, and we will continue to battle for the
truth against corporate interests."
As part of its efforts to support independent media voices and build ties
among them, Chicago Media Action, Chicago Indymedia and Red Line Radio are
sponsoring a celebration of independent media on July 4th called "We the
Media." This event will be an opportunity for Chicagoans to learn more
about local independent media and entertainment options. It will be held at
buddy, 1542 N. Milwaukee. CMA is working with other media activist groups
both locally and around the country to build post-June 2 strategies, and
expects to announce more initiatives shortly.
The next battle for the media democracy movement may well be over access to
television channel capacity. The FCC is currently accepting comments until
June 16 on the proposed takeover of the DirectTV satellite service by
Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Jeff Chester of the Center for Digital
Democracy said, "Such a combination threatens fair competition in the media
industry, the quality and diversity of television programming, and most
importantly, the ability of the public to obtain unbiased news in order to
participate in our democratic system."
