Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to remove the longstanding “newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership” ban that prohibits a local newspaper from owning a broadcast station in the same market. When the Commission voted today, 3-to-2 along party lines, they did so in spite of enormous public pressure and stern warnings from Congress.
But that’s not all. In a series of late night revisions to his rule, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin fattened his holiday gift to Big Media by granting permanent waivers to companies across the country who have been in breach of the cross-ownership ban for years
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/blog/2007/12/18/kevin-martin-picks-a-fight-with-america/Take Action: Stop Big Media
The FCC approved new rules that will unleash a flood of media consolidation across America. The new rules will further consolidate local media markets -- taking away independent voices in cities already woefully short on local news and investigative journalism.
Congress has the power to throw out these rules -- and if 100,000 people demand it, they'll have to listen. Sign the open letter to Congress urging them to stop the FCC and stand with the public interest.
http://action.freepress.net/campaign/sbmopenletter