Dear Media Reformer,
The Wall Street Journal reported today that Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Powell is stepping down. Powell spearheaded the efforts to let big media companies get even bigger, and ignored the public interest at every turn. He won't be missed.
President Bush's replacement for Powell will have a profound impact on the future of a media system that is already in deep crisis -- suffering from lapdog journalism, a narrowing range of political debate and unchecked commercialism.
The White House needs to hear from the public before it appoints yet another corporate pawn.
Demand Bush appoint an FCC chief that will serve the public interest
(
http://www.freepress.net/action/newFCCchair )
The FCC was created in 1934 to protect and promote the public interest. A unified public voice is the only way to win the FCC back from the corporate lobbyists who consider it their personal fiefdom.
We shook up Washington when millions opposed Powell's efforts to undo media ownership rules. We stopped Sinclair. We forced an investigation of payola pundits like Armstrong Williams.
Your voice makes a difference. Please take a minute and send a message to President Bush.
http://www.freepress.net/action/newFCCchair Onward,
Robert McChesney
President and Co-founder
Free Press
P.S. Here's the WSJ article announcing Powell's resignation.
http://www.freepress.net/news/6294Another article speculates on Powell's possible successors.
http://www.freepress.net/news/6310