Conference shows need for MEDIA REFORM

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

By Heath Harrison
Published January 31, 2007
The Herald-Dispatch

Journalism students are taught in introductory classes that one of the most important responsibilities of the media is to act as a watchdog on the government.

Recently, more than 3,000 activists, students, professors and concerned citizens converged on Memphis, Tenn., for the National Conference on Media Reform, believing that a press increasingly in the hands of fewer and fewer corporate special interests has become derelict in that duty.

"Decades of deregulation have blocked the cultural and journalistic arteries that make democracy vibrant and fresh," said panelist Eric Klinenberg, author of "Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media."

A key topic of discussion was the lack of diversity in viewpoints on both talk radio and cable television, where conservatives hold near-exclusive control with most opinion shows being hosted by rightwing activists such as Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly.

more:
http://herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/OPINION/701310312/1034

[KharmaTrain]

1. It's Time For The Long Overdue Review Of DeReg '96

Let's investigate broadcast ownership rules and see how "well" they've been working. This very destructive bill was supposed to be reviewed in 2002 and never was...now's the time. Ownership limits need to be restored, license periods need to be shortened, preferences must be given to local control of the broadcast spectrum over the warehousing of the broadcast dial being done by a few large corporates today and lastly the license appeal and revocation process must be made so its less expensive and time consuming to challenge a license renewal.

The keys to taking back the media is through ownership of the public airwaves...or restoring a means where more and more local owners and voices have access to the airwaves.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

2. oddly, Gore pushed that one more than BIll

I would have expected the reverse

[KharmaTrain]

3. The blackest stain on the "Clinton Legacy"

Yes I know. It not only allowed the Clear Channels and CBSs to swallow up the prime broadcast real estate and monopolize programming, it also gave greater powers to cable operators over their systems...all but gutting local franchise agreement. This bill has done the opposite of what its proponents promised and needs to be revised.

Cheers...