Media Ownership: Get Involved

One week after the Third Circuit Court in Philadelphia trumped the Federal Communications Commission's lax media ownership rules, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) asks for your help in convincing FCC Chairman Michael Powell and President Bush, both well-known corporate lackeys, to 'accept the court's ruling and not resort to a protracted appeals process, which would adversely affect the public interest,' writes the CFA.

Powell did everything he could one year ago to 'further de-regulate his buddies in the telecommunications industry,' insisting that 'weakening the rules for ownership of media outlets would create MORE diversity in the marketplace, not LESS.' Three million Americans disagreed, giving Congress the wherewithal to block the ridiculous FCC rules. Thanks to the Third Circuit Court in Philadelphia, the city that birthed this democracy, the momentum may be back in the hands of the people. For, as the CFA writes, 'It's up to the people to make their voices heard.' And writing letters to Powell and Bush is one way to do so.

The wording suggested by the CFA are poignant and ring as true as the Liberty Bell: 'The FCC's attempts to relax media ownership rules met strong opposition in Congress, at public hearings around the country, and in public opinion polls, giving birth to a remarkable grass roots movement. The public feels that the media is already too concentrated and further mergers would be detrimental to democratic discourse in America because it limits the diversity of sources of information.' All you have to do is sign your name and click a couple buttons.
-- Jacob Wheeler