News

Washington - In the wake of the Federal Communications Commission’s controversial 2003 loosening of media ownership rules, and the firestorm surrounding Sinclair Broadcast Group, FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps will host a forum to hear what Minnesotans think of their media.

Washington – In an unprecedented move, media giant Pappas Telecasting, with TV and radio stations across the nation, is giving $325,000 worth of air time for GOP candidates in many of California’s closest legislative races. Pappas television stations reach over 44 million Americans nationwide; about 15% of the U.S. population.

Washington - Sinclair today responded to public opposition to their plans to air an anti-Kerry documentary days before the election by denying they ever intended to air it.

[Washington] - Free Press today issued a statement of support for Indymedia, an independent online news network with over 140 local affiliates, whose servers were seized last week in an international police operation of questionable legality. Free Press joins a growing number of prominent groups calling for a full independent investigation into the police action.

Washington – As Sinclair Broadcasting Group—the largest owner of local television stations in the U.S.—orders its nationwide affiliates to preempt regular programming to air an anti-Kerry documentary, Free Press is releasing a new report (available at www.sinclairwatch.org) that cites several Sinclair business practices that are reprehensible at best and illegal at worst.

Washington – Free Press launched a comic web-based flash animation today (www.debatingforratings.com) that underscores the media’s failings in covering the 2004 presidential election and the overall decline in quality journalism. “Media’s role in elections has been reduced to a barrage of political ads and pundits talking about polls, strategy, spin and superficialities.

[Open Letter Submitted to Members of Senate Commerce Committee from Free Press and Consumer Federation of America]

Dear Senator,

Dearborn, MI – Over 300 citizens joined Federal Communications Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps at last night’s Town Meeting on the Future of Media at the Ford Center of the Performing Arts in Dearborn.

Washington – Over 500 people waited in long lines for an opportunity to voice their opposition to government policies favoring big media corporations Wednesday night. The Monterey Herald, under the headline “Commissioners get an earful from public,” wrote, “It was a bad night for Big Media …

Washington – Federal Communications Commissioner Chairman Michael Powell says a “scheduling conflict” will prevent him from attending today’s official FCC Localism hearing in Monterey, California. Powell himself called for the hearing – one of six nationwide – after millions of Americans decried last year’s attempt to gut media ownership rules.