CHICAGO MEDIA ACTION ELECTRONIC UPDATE: August 3, 2003
http://www.chicagomediaaction.org
Because of a technical glitch, the August 2003 Chicago Media Action
newsletter was sent with the incorrect subject line "Chicago Media
Action Emergency Alert: July 7, 2003". The subject line should have
read "Chicago Media Action Newsletter: August 1, 2003". We apologize
for the error and for any confusion.
We would also like to take this opportunity bring to your attention an
update from Capitol Hill as well as two additional announcements, one
concerning a film that CMA is co-sponsoring, and another alert regarding
the National Conference for Media Reform in Wisconsin this November.
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AN EXCERPT FROM THE 7/28 CAPITOL HILL UPDATE FROM FREE PRESS
(http://www.mediareform.net/washington.php)
Congress has now gone into recess for the month of August. No changes
are expected in the battle over the FCC rules until legislators reconvene
in September [it has been reported that the battle may resume in the
first week of September]. This is where things stand now.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The CJS appropriations bill passed out of the House without incident by a
margin of 400-21. The rollback of the national 35% ownership cap is
safely out and in the bill, and the strong show of support for
Hinchey-Price [rolling back the broadcast-newspaper cross ownership
change] has strengthened the resolve of Senators planning their own CJS
appropriations bill for September. Republican opponents have vowed to
try and strip the rollback from the bill in conference or call on a
Presidential veto to block the measure. Increasingly, most observers do
not place much credibility in the possibility of a veto in the teeth of
overwhelming public support and Congressional approval.
Meanwhile, efforts continue to move legislation through normal channels
outside the appropriations process. This is vital because of course
appropriations riders would only block rules for one fiscal year and set
up a similar fight again next summer. Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep.
Billy Tauzin still looks like an impassable obstacle, but efforts
nonetheless continue. The Burr-Dingell bill in the House now has 176
cosponsors [41% of the Representatives]. The comprehensive Sanders bill
has 97.
SENATE
In the Senate, possibilities for passing repeal legislation are much
stronger. The Stevens-Hollings bill, with 44 cosponsors, now appears
poised for a potential floor vote in the fall, if Senator Frist brings it
up in the schedule. In addition, the bipartisan group of Senators who
have introduced the Resolution of Disapproval that would nullify the June
2nd decisions is also set to move ahead. The resolution does not require
committee approval and could be forced onto the floor through a special
expediting process built into this type of legislation. All of these
vehicles will be brought to bear during the fall session. In the
meantime, everyone will be jockeying for position, testing the waters for
the coming fight.
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Chicago Media Action is co-sponsoring two presentations of the noted film
"Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Death."
Download a color PDF flyer for the event at:
http://www.chicagomediaaction.org/pdffiles/AfghanMassacreflyer.pdf
Details about the film and the showings follow below.
==================
Date: Thursday August 14th
Event: film "Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Death"
Description: This is the documentary the pentagon (and PBS) did not
want you to see. After the fall of Konduz in late 2001, Afghan POWs were
packed into metal shipping containers by U.S.- allied troops and driven
through the desert for up to four days, with no air, food or water.
A grotesque mass killing of an estimated 2-3,000 resulted, the bodies
dumped into large, bulldozed pits. Why have official international
investigations been stymied and what has been the U.S. role?
Guest speaker - John Heffernan, Senior Communications Associate
Physicians for Human Rights - PHR was co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize
and discovered the mass graves. Open to the public/$7 donation suggested.
Starts: 7PM
Where: Skokie Public Library 5215 Oakton St. Skokie
Sponsors: Chicago Media Action, Chicago Filmmakers, Not In Our Name
Directions: 847-673-7774
Contact: cma@chicagomediaaction.org
==================
Date: Friday August 15th
Event: film "Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Death"
Description: This is the documentary the pentagon (and PBS) did not want you to
see.
See description for Thursday August 14th program at Skokie Public Library
above.
Starts: 8PM
Where: Columbia College, Ferguson Theater 600 S. Michigan (2 bl. E of Harrison
red line stop)
Sponsors: Chicago Media Action, Chicago Filmmakers, Not In Our Name
Contact: cma@chicagomediaaction.org
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Dear Colleague,
This November 7th through 9th in Madison, Wisconsin, Free Press will
host the National Conference on Media Reform, a watershed forum on how
to build a better media system in local communities, in Washington,
and across the nation. I hope you'll be able to come.
Interested? You can sign up now at:
http://www.mediareform.net/conference
Please forward this notice to everyone you know who is concerned about
media.
I recommend you sign up now, as space is limited. If you register
before September 7, the conference fee is reduced. Reduced
registration fees and scholarship applications are also available for
students and lower-income people.
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This is an email update from Chicago Media Action, a Chicago activist
group devoted to media issues.
Chicago Media Action, P.O. Box 14140, Chicago IL 60614-0140 Call
toll-free 1-866-260-7198. Web: www.chicagomediaaction.org; email:
cma@chicagomediaaction.org
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