district of columbia

A different way of covering an election

DChinni — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:01:00 -0700

It's already clear that is election isn't going to be like others so we need to think about how to cover it differently. I'm not talking about replacing what's out there, but at least adding to it.

Senate Commerce Committee Did the Right Thing

jtorres — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:24:00 -0700

The Senate Commerce Committee did the right thing today by unanimously voting out of committee a "resolution of disapproval" sponsored by Sen. Bryon Dorgan (D.N.D.) that would overturn the FCC’s Dec. 18 decision to relax the longstanding limits on how much media one company can own in your town.

Pentagon Pundits Jeopardize America's Free Press

jsilver — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:35:00 -0700

Yesterday, the New York Times exposed a secret Pentagon campaign to infiltrate the media with pro-war propaganda.

The scheme reaches all the way to the Bush White House, where top officials recruited dozens of "military analysts" to spread favorable views of the war via every major news channel -- without revealing they were working from Pentagon scripts and often lobbying for major military contractors.

Spreading "covert propaganda" is illegal under federal law. Congress must investigate these military pundits and their ties to the Bush administration, defense contractors and our national news media.

Big Media is Bad News for Global Warming

Mark Cooper — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:52:00 -0800

Activists in the media reform and media justice movement argue that “media is the issue” because the media influence which issues get aired and how they are represented in public discourse. Many of us work on issues alongside media reform, and we are constantly making the connection between specific issues -- like race and gender equity, social justice -- and media reform. However, it is rare when a mainstream media outlet makes the connection. Just such a connection was made in the lead editorial in the New York Times on New Year’s Day.

The editorial, titled “The One Environmental Issue," opens with the statement that “the overriding environmental issue of these times is the warming of the planet. The Democratic hopefuls in the 2008 campaign are fully engaged. … The Republicans do not go much farther than conceding that climate change could be a problem.

The Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues Calls on FCC to Stop Big Media

Alex Russell — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:51:00 -0800

Live Blogging Today's FCC Oversight Hearing

Josh Stearns — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:17:00 -0800

As Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin continues to push a massive giveaway to Big Media, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is looking into how the FCC has handled this media ownership proceeding.

The Big Problem with Even Bigger Media

nicole_guerra — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:32:00 -0800

(This article was originally written for gnovis Journal, Georgetown University)

The institution of the press is the central nervous system of democracy. ¹

For those of us focused on Iraq, Iran, immigration, the health insurance
crisis, and equal rights for same sex couples, the issue of media consolidation probably doesn't inspire a passionate call to action.

November 13th, FCC chairman Kevin Martin wrote an op-ed in the New York Times, confirming his intention to further relax media ownership rules. You can find a link to a PDF file containing the text of his proposal at this blog.

Youth Rally and Concert in DC

Josh Stearns — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:33:00 -0800

As we have traveled around the country we have heard from so many people about the way that media coverage of their communities is an immeadiate and unquestionable public health problem. The media is a powerful social force, and when people are pushed out of the media or misrepresented in the media, it haunts them on their streets, in their homes, and throughout their lives.

I remember vividly a conversation I had with a gentleman on the west side of Chicago prior to the FCC hearing there. He talked about how he and his group had been fighting for years to improve coverage of community issues, and representations of people of color on the west side in the media. He linked the problems of police violence directly to what people see on the news and how those images of his community permeate the way people view him.

I was reminded of this story today when I got this announcement from Rosa Clemente of the Hip Hop Caucus. The Hip Hop Caucus has been along time ally in the media ownership fight and I encourage anyone who is in DC to take part in this event.

Rally Sends Message to FCC

Josh Stearns — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:25:00 -0700

It was an inspiring sight. Outside Federal Communications Commission headquarters more than a hundred and fifty people were chanting for better media. Inside, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin squirmed every time the room erupted around calls to stop consolidation. It was Halloween at the FCC – and the trick was definitely on them.

Live Blogging the Rally for Better Media

Josh Stearns — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:38:00 -0700

Hi Everyone,

Today I will be live blogging from the Rally for Better Media on the steps of the FCC! Keep checking back for updates!
Can't be in DC? Take Action Now!

Register Now! Claim Democracy Conference

Mary Alice Crim — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:27:00 -0700

If you live in the Washington D.C. area I’m hoping you’ll join us this November 9-11th for the 2007 Claim Democracy conference. The event marks the first time that campaign finance and election reform activists are joining ranks with media reformers to bring together these important movements.

Jesse Jackson Pushes FCC on Minority Ownership

Josh Stearns — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:29:00 -0700

Late last week the Rainbow Push Coalition hosted a sold-out media and telecommunications symposium in Washington DC. The event brought together federal policymakers, media industry leaders, issue activists, academics and consumers to assess the future of American media.

Support of Affordable High Speed Internet for America and Internet Neutrality

ProgRock — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:24:00 -0700

Democrats,

On July 15th, 2007 the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party passed the following resolution in favor of Net Neutrality and affordable high speed Internet for America.

The adoption of this resolution was made possible by the unprecedented cooperation of both the Labor Caucus and the Progressive Caucus of the CDP. Working together over the months following the CDP convention in San Diego, representatives of both caucuses, led by Jim Gordon, chair of the Labor Caucus and Brad Parker, officer of the Progressive Caucus, were able to craft a resolution that addressed the concerns of both groups and Americans as a whole. Once again, after 100 years of organizing and political activism, Progressives and Union members have found common cause. Our hope is that this resolution will become a blueprint for legislation across the country that preserves Internet integrity with open, equal and impartial access and Net Neutrality. Further, that the build out of high speed Internet be undertaken as a public utility maintained by union members bringing affordable broadband Internet access to all Americans.

No issue of public governance is more critical at this time in our history than the immediate need for every level of government to pass and enforce legislation to embody the principles of this resolution. Therefore, we call upon every Democrat in America to send this resolution to every elected official across the nation and to insist that Net Neutrality and affordable high speed Internet become the law of the land.