FCC Hearings this Tuesday In LA will get Hollywood Turnout
Martin of the FCC has said he’s scheduling meetings on proposed rule changes favorable to further big media mergers in half a dozen or so places around the country, but so far has only scheduled meetings in LA for this Tuesday, October 3rd, according to the Free Press, which has issued a press release calling for attendance from coalition members. Apparently the press release has had an effect, since it looks like the Hollywood Contingent will be out in full force. According to the article excerpt from the Hollywood Reporter that was reprinted by the Free Press:
Hollywood’s creative community is mobilizing a show of force for Tuesday’s FCC hearing in Los Angeles on media ownership rules, with top guild officers and other industry luminaries set to testify about the downsides of media consolidation.Among those expected to testify are Marshall Herskowitz, president of the Producers Guild of America; Taylor Hackford, third vp at the DGA; SAG president Alan Rosenberg; WGA West president Patric Verrone; Stephen J. Cannell, representing the Caucus for TV Producers, Writers & Directors; and Mike Mills, bassist for the rock band R.E.M.
AFTRA is even urging its membership to show up to underscore opposition to increased concentration of media ownership. The group Thursday issued a call to its 25,000 members in Southern California to attend and testify at the hearings.
The mainstream media, who would benefit from the changes in media merger rules that the FCC is considering and holding these hearings about, has ignored this story to the point of absurdity. The fact that VERY VISIBLE Hollywood folks are getting involved is going to make it much harder for big media to continue this news blackout on the issue. Many of these people and organizations are reporting their interest in the issue on their websites and fan blogs. This will not stay a secret just because big media wants it to. A continued news blackout from big media on this issue is the best possible argument against further media consolidation. It will be interesting to see how (or if) they cover this story on Tuesday.
There are two parts of this meeting to be held in two different locations:
Part 1
1 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.
University of Southern California
Davidson Conference Center
Embassy Room
3415 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
Part 2
6:30 p.m. — 10 p.m.
El Segundo High School
640 Main Street
El Segundo
According to the Free Press Press Release:
All five FCC Commissioners are expected to attend the hearings. Both events will feature an “open microphone” session for the public to offer testimony on a first-come, first-served basis.A broad-based coalition of local and national groups is urging their members to attend the hearings and testify about the impacts of media consolidation. They include the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, California NOW, CALPIRG, Free Press, Media Alliance, MoveOn.org Civic Action, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA, National Hispanic Media Coalition, Newspaper Guild-CWA, Prometheus Radio Project, local churches and many others.
“It’s imperative that as many people as possible turn out for these hearings,” said John Clark, president of NABET-CWA. “Important decisions will be made as a result of these sessions, decisions that will determine the future direction and diversity of our country’s media forever.”
“The change in media rules will impact every household in this country,” added Alex Nogales, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “The FCC needs to ensure diverse participation in the audience and that every Angeleno who wants to be heard on this issue gets the opportunity to voice his or her concerns.”
If you’re in the LA area and have some time to attend either session, please show up with your vidcam, cellphone, digicam, and participate in this citizen journalism event. You might even be able to rub elbows with some stars who, like you, believe that free speech and an impartial media are to be protected to ensure the continued health of our democratic process.
Technorati Tags: FCC, Free Speech, Big Media, LA FCC Hearings, media consolidation
