Tell Congress to keep the FCC from allowing more media consolidation

Don’t Let the Federal Communications Commission Fast Track Media Consolidation

FCC Chair Kevin Martin is trying to ram through new rules to give more billions to billionaires--people like media owners Rupert Murdoch and Sam Zell--at our expense.

Check out one of many news accounts in the New York Times, AP, and TV Week reporting Martin’s plan to have an FCC vote by December 18. He wants to gut the few remaining media ownership regulations, including putting an end to the limits on ownership by a single company of a newspaper and a broadcast station in the same market.

The consolidation of media ownership by giant corporations eliminates diverse and local sources of news, music, and entertainment programming, which critically affects our jobs, our lives, and our communities. As conglomerates combine media outlets across America, AFTRA members have seen:

Decreased coverage of local issues and fewer editorial perspectives in news
Fewer and less diverse opportunities for actors as the last remaining independent producers struggle to survive
Homogenization and disappearance of radio formats
Elimination of opportunities for airplay for recording artists

We need to tell Congress to keep the FCC from allowing more media consolidation. By taking action now, we can support local news and entertainment, a diversity of views, and media competition.

It’s time to keep the FCC from making gifts to media billionaires. Send a message your Senators and U.S. Representative today.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Don't Let the Federal Communications Commission Fast Track Media Consolidation

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

It's been reported that Federal Communications Commission chair Kevin Martin is planning to have an FCC vote by December 18 to end the remaining media ownership regulations.

I am writing you to urge you to take steps to slow down the FCC from rewriting rules on media consolidation.

The consolidation of media ownership by giant corporations eliminates diverse and local sources of news, music, and entertainment programming, which critically affects the jobs, lives, and communities of AFTRA members like me. As conglomerates combine media outlets across America, we have seen:

-- Decreased coverage of local issues and fewer editorial perspectives in news

-- Fewer and less diverse opportunities for actors as the last remaining independent producers struggle to survive

-- Homogenization and disappearance of radio formats

-- Elimination of opportunities for airplay for recording artists

Please stop the FCC from fast tracking the relaxation of media ownership regulations.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 18, 2007

Background Information

NEW YORK TIMES - October 18, 2007

Plan Would Ease Limits on Media Owners

By STEPHEN LABATON

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 — The head of the Federal Communications Commission has circulated an ambitious plan to relax the decades-old media ownership rules, including repealing a rule that forbids a company to own both a newspaper and a television or radio station in the same city.

Kevin J. Martin, chairman of the commission, wants to repeal the rule in the next two months — a plan that, if successful, would be a big victory for some executives of media conglomerates.

FCC Chairman Offers Ownership Plan

From Associated Press, October 18, 2007
By John Dunbar

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is proposing a plan that would wrap up by the end of the year the long-running debate over how many media properties a company should be allowed to own in a single market.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s proposal would allow for public comment on the proposed rules in mid-November and a commission vote on Dec. 18.

FCC Chief Martin Trying to Fast-Track Revamp of Media Ownership Rules

From TV Week, October 18, 2007
By Ira Teinowitz

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin is seeking to fast-track the agency’s long-running re-examination of media ownership rules. Two FCC commissioners today said he’s hoping to vote on any changes by Dec. 18, the agency’s last meeting of the year.