| Some people who spoke out against media
deregulation... |
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Chuck D, of Public
Enemy, performed with his new outfit,
Fine Arts
Militia. He kicked it off strong with an audience call-and-response:
"Fuck that War... Fuck that war..."
"Fuck that President... Fuck that president..."
"Fuck that War... Fuck that war..."
"Fuck that President... Fuck that president..."
"Fuck that War... Fuck that war..."
"Fuck that President... Fuck that president..."
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| Kristen Walsh was the mistress of ceremonies. She is the program director
for KBCS, which is one of
the highest expressions of public-minded radio programming. Staffed by volunteers
and funded by listeners, KBCS is democray in action, airing news and views
you won't hear anywhere else in the Seattle area. Does your community have
a radio station that represents local concerns? If not, you better start
one. |
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Congressman Jim
McDermott and 18 colleagues gave a press conference where he told 340
reporters, "The President of the United States is so eager to go to war,
he'll lie to get us there." No one reported this searing soundbite. Things
are already quite bad when the prevalent media will not air the strong opinions
of elected officials. Further deregulation will result in straight-up fascism.
When elected officials with reasoned opinions lose their voice in the press,
it's time for the people to speak up loud and clear.
Hear McDermott's speech regarding
media deregulation. |
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FCC Chairman Michael Powell (son of Secretary of State Colin Powell)
claimed that one public hearing on deregulation would suffice. That hearing
was near DC and was attended almost exclusively by corporate media lobbyists.
FCC Commissioners Adelstein and Copps demanded more input from the public,
which is what brought them to Seattle. Adelstein and Copps strongly oppose
deregulation. They say 75% of Americans know nothing about this issue due
to the vested interests of the media. They want you to tell everyone you
know to contact the FCC and voice your opposition to deregulation. I heard
them say this with my own ears.
Do it now. |
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Hip hop journalist Davey D was fired by his Clear Channel-owned radio station
for his political views. He's now on tour speaking forcefully against the
machinations of the corporate media money game. Dig into
daveyd.com and get involved.
His advice is to put a face and name with the decisions that shape the
mediascape. Find out who's responsible and hold them accountable. |
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Who stands to benefit
from deregulation? |
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People like Clear
Channel CEO Lowry Mays. Before 1996, no one company could own more than
40 radio stations nationwide. Since
1996
radio ownership deregulation, Mays' company has come to own 1,250 radio
stations. Each one of those stations has an FCC license. The licenses are
free, with the understanding that the airwaves are a public resource and
thus Clear Channel has an obligation to serve the communities where they
broadcast. Proponents of deregulation claim consolidation helps serve communities
better. Here's what Lowry told
Fortune magazine: "If anyone said we were in the radio
business, it wouldn't be someone from our company," says Mays, 67. "We're
not in the business of providing news and information. We're not in the business
of providing well-researched music. We're simply in the business of selling
our customers products."
Can you say boycott? |
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"CC" scion Mark Mays,
the face of media after deregulation. Dynastic rule
is the norm in the USA
and North Korea. |
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