Tell the FCC Your Media Consolidation Stories

AFTRA members know the effects of consolidation of media ownership on our jobs, our lives, and our communities. As conglomerates combine media outlets across America, we've seen:

  • Decreased coverage of local issues in news.
  • Fewer editorial perspectives in news.
  • Homogenization and disappearance of radio formats.
  • Elimination of opportunities for airplay for independent recording artists.
  • Perpetuation of threats to live and local media, like 'voice-tracking,' 'central-casting,' and automation.

Now is your chance to tell your stories about what media consolidation is doing to you. AFTRA wants to include your information in our official filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has issued a new "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" on its media ownership rules.

Examples relate to the need for meaningful ownership regulations. They do not have to be drawn from first-hand experience; if you’ve witnessed the problematic by-products of media consolidation at competing non-union stations in your market, we’d like to hear about those, as well.

It’s most helpful to please provide as much detailed information as you can. Submit your stories in the letter form below.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: My example of media consolidation

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

[Type your examples of the effects of media consolidation here]

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 16, 2006


Background Information

Over the years, the FCC has periodically reviewed its regulations governing how many television stations, radio stations, broadcast networks, and newspapers can be owned by any single company. The rules are somewhat complex, but one thing is certain: Meaningful regulations governing ownership of broadcast stations are critical to ensuring that the goals of local and diverse programming remains on the free broadcast airwaves.

The main rules at issue are:

  • The Local Television Ownership Rule – governing the number of television stations in any given market that a single entity can own.
  • The Local Radio Ownership Rule – governing how many radio stations can be owned by one entity in a broadcast market.
  • The Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Restriction – regarding whether newspaper owners may also own radio and television stations in the same market.
  • The National Television Ownership Rule – governing how many stations any one company can own nation-wide.
  • The Radio/Television Cross-Ownership Rule – places limits on how many radio and/or television stations can be owned by one entity.
  • The Dual Network Rule – relating to whether a single company can own multiple television broadcast networks.

As we prepare to submit our official filing with the FCC, we are compiling specific examples of the effects of consolidation of media ownership.

AFTRA members know first-hand that secure wages, hours, and working conditions are perfectly aligned with the public’s interest in diverse and competitive sources of news, entertainment, and music programming. You can help make this point to the FCC by providing examples from your local community.

We’re looking for detailed examples to show why ownership matters.