News

Sept. 8, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Amanda Ballantyne, (612) 849-0195
Craig Aaron, (202) 441-9983

Wisconsin Speaks Out on Media Consolidation

Hundreds join FCC Commissioners at a Town Meeting on the Future of Media in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – Three hundred people turned out for a “Town Meeting on the Future of the Media” on Thursday night, voicing concerns about greater media consolidation to Federal Communications Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan Adelstein.

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps will visit Milwaukee this Thursday night, Sept. 7, to listen to local concerns about media consolidation.

WHAT: Town Meeting on the Future of Media

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006, 6:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON — Supporters of Internet freedom took to the pavement in 25 cities nationwide on Wednesday and Thursday, delivering thousands of SavetheInternet.com petitions to their senators and urging them to oppose attempts by big phone and cable companies to eliminate Net Neutrality.

WASHINGTON - The Federal Communications Commission today approved the takeover of Adelphia by the nation’s two largest cable companies, Comcast and Time Warner. Conditions placed on the merger would contend with problems related to regional sports networks and leased access for local programming — but they do not include any measures to protect Network Neutrality.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A standing-room only crowd of more than 400 people packed a “Town Meeting on the Future of the Media” on Thursday night, voicing concerns about greater media consolidation to Federal Communications Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan Adelstein.

WASHINGTON - The Senate Commerce Committee fell a single vote short of passing an amendment to safeguard the free and open Internet as momentum builds toward a full Senate vote on Net Neutrality.

WASHINGTON - A diverse alliance of consumer, civil rights, labor and media reform groups today raised serious concerns about the Federal Communications Commission’s latest attempt to change longstanding rules on local media ownership.

WASHINGTON — The SavetheInternet.com Coalition today delivered more than 1 million petitions and letters from average Americans to Capitol Hill, urging Congress to protect Net Neutrality and stand firm against efforts by phone and cable companies to control the Internet.

WASHINGTON — Independent singer-songwriters Jill Sobule, Kay Hanley (founder of the band Letters to Cleo) and Michelle Lewis have “banded” together to show the importance of Internet freedom to new and independent artists.