News

WASHINGTON - As the Federal Communications Commission considers sweeping changes to the nation’s media landscape, Free Press today released a new report on female and minority media ownership that shows the consequences of further consolidation.

A Federal Communications Commission study on the negative impacts of radio consolidation came to light Monday after being buried at the agency for at least two years. This was the second secret FCC study on media ownership to surface in as many weeks.

WASHINGTON — A coalition of media reform, consumer and public interest groups —representing millions of Americans across the country — issued the following statement in response to a draft telecommunications bill circulated by the House on Thursday:

WASHINGTON — Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell buried a federal study that showed media consolidation is harmful to local news reporting. The 2004 report found that locally owned stations produced five minutes more local news coverage in a half-hour newscast than their consolidated competitors.

WASHINGTON — The United States continues to lag behind the rest of the world in accessible and affordable broadband service, with no signs of closing the digital divide at home, according to a new report released today by Free Press, the Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union.

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.