media consolidation

In Media, Too Few Control Too Much

Stevie Converse — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:59:23 -0700

While most Americans enjoy more radio, television, and Internet channels, many do not realize that behind the channel is less choice. Currently, only six corporations control most of what Americans hear, see, and read. Media consolidation threatens citizens’ ability to receive objective information. For example, independent newspapers have decreased by two-thirds in the past 30 years.

documentary film on decline of television

Mark Tollefson — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:47:00 -0700

I am producing a documentary film about the current state and future evolution of television. It is a critical examination of how the broadcasting industry has been steadily corrupted by the influence of media consolidation, greed and mismanagement.

Bill Moyers on Senate Victory to Stop Big Media

mthompson — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:43:56 -0700

NCMR 2008 speaker Bill Moyers talks about your recent victory in the Senate to Stop Big Media.

Debunking The White House's Media Ownership Myths

Josh Stearns — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:53:00 -0700

On May 15th, on the verge of a full Senate vote on the "resolution of disapproval" that would overturn the FCC decision to gut media ownership rules, the White House released a formal "Statement of Administration Policy" defending the FCC and threatening to veto any bill designed to nu

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein Responds to Senate Resolution on Media Ownership

Stevie Converse — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:20:34 -0700

Last night, the Senate voted to adopt a resolution of disapproval of the FCC’s media ownership rule. In response, Commissioner Adelstein released the following statement:

Obama, Bush at Odds Over Media-Ownership Vote

Stevie Converse — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:14:48 -0700

The fight over the Federal Communications Commission's Dec. 18 media-ownership vote set up a potential battle between the current president and a senator who wants to be the next one.

Senate Votes to Reverse FCC Decision Allowing Media Consolidation

Stevie Converse — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:55:19 -0700

Thursday night, the Senate cast a near-unanimous vote to reverse the Federal Communication Commission's December 2007 decision to let media companies own both a major TV or radio station and a major daily newspaper in the same city.

Senate Overturns Media Consolidation Rule!

Stevie Converse — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:44:11 -0700

The Senate just passed a "resolution of disapproval" nullifying the FCC's latest giveaway to big media companies!

Back in December, the FCC went against 99% of the comments submitted by members of the public and passed a rule allowing media companies to consolidate further:

FCC Republicans Rebuffed by Senate

Stevie Converse — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:34:04 -0700

Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission relaxed rules preventing TV stations and newspapers from owning each other in local markets. This was a very bad thing. Tonight, the Senate passed by a near universal voice vote a resolution of disapproval that would nullify this rule.

Reid to Schedule Vote on FCC-Blocking Resolution

Stevie Converse — Wed, 14 May 2008 05:39:19 -0700

Look for the Senate within the next two or three weeks to vote on a resolution to invalidate the Federal Communications Commission's newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership rule change, according to a staffer for the resolution's co-sponsor, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.).

Writers Guilds, West and East Support Senate Resolution of Disapproval to Curb Media Consolidation

Stevie Converse — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:49:27 -0700

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have expressed public support for U.S. Senate Resolution 28 – a resolution of disapproval that, if passed, would overturn a recent Federal Communications Commission decision allowing for the consolidation of newspapers and local television stations.

Homogenization of Radio: Let us all give thanks and pay grateful homage to Clear Channel

Jordan Page — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:51:00 -0700

Like a beast from the blackness it came, sending shivers down the spine of indie artists, DJs, and listeners everywhere. A force unparalleled in its hunger to consume, it cast a dark shadow across the nation. Forcing mediocre formulaic music and political censorship down the throats of the American people, it became obvious that we would all have to bow down and worship the new radio gods, Clear Channel. A conglomerate like any other, only this corporate money machine would attack our art by becoming the ultimate gatekeeper in the world of music.

A Landscape of Giants

Stevie Converse — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:37:00 -0700

When it comes to debates about media consolidation, it's hard not to get the sense that the horse has long since bolted from the barn.

YOUR TURN: Free Press activists take on Big Media

mthompson — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:50:03 -0700

Free Press activist Michelle Potter made this video to spread the word about media consolidation and our campaign to Stop Big Media -- before the shot clock runs out.

One Newsday Suitor Steps Aside, Another Returns

Stevie Converse — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:55:47 -0700

The escalating contest for ownership of Newsday took a couple of new twists on Wednesday.

UPDATE: Stop Big Media -- before the shot clock runs out

mthompson — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:33:14 -0700

Over 250,000 of you wrote Congress and the FCC to Stop Big Media -- and Congress has responded.

The Mouse Likes His Media Consolidation

Joe Public — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:27:00 -0700

Oh, Mickey - you once were so innocent and independant.

TVday reports:

The AP sounds like CBS sounds like CNN sounds like the AP?

Joe Public — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:22:00 -0700

It seems like everytime I open the newspaper, turn on the radio or watch TV news it is as if everyone is just reading off the AP ticket tape. Has the entire world outsourced their news departments to the AP? Even NPR is reading AP articles verbaitim.

FCC Vote On Sirius-XM Merger Not On May 14 Agenda

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:26:02 -0700

The FCC’s expected approval of the much-delayed merger between XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio likely won’t happen until late May or June

Harbinger of Things to Come in the News Business?

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:58:08 -0700

Once it was a matter of faith in the newspaper industry that family-controlled companies like the New York Times and Virginia's Media General didn't have to fear hostile takeovers. After all, they had two classes of stock.