Newsday: "Media ownership limits depend on election".......

[annabanana]

This is the single most important issue of this election (IMHO)

http://tinyurl.com/4kwwc

"Big media companies are striking out in efforts to bat away some of the uncertainty over how much they will be allowed to own - and the final answers may hinge on who is elected president.

On Friday, a federal appeals court rejected Tribune Co.'s attempt to lift a ban on owning a TV station and newspaper in the same big-city market. Chicago-based Tribune, whose properties include Newsday and WPIX/11 in New York, says it plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court............................

The eventual outcome may depend on what the FCC does to revise its rules. And what it does may depend on whether George Bush or John Kerry is the next president, since the panel's makeup could change drastically.

"Of all the issues affecting the telecom-media sector, the one issue on which Bush and Kerry have the most predictable differences is media ownership," said Blair Levin, media regulatory analyst at investment firm Legg Mason."

[Walt Starr]

1. There is EXACTLY the reason why the whoring is going on

Dead on, this is the reason the media whores DO NOT WANT A KERRY PRESIDENCY and WHY THEY WHORE FOR THEIR MASTER!

[annabanana]

2. If we could break the back on this one........

the floodgates would open and EVERYone could see what these thieves and murderers have abeen up to all this time.

[annabanana]

4. are CBS and MSNBC's "better covereage" symptoms of the big boy's.

"hedging their bets?" What will it take to convince them that Bush MIGHT lose? Whould they cover events any differently>

Maybe if the whole BBV issue kept bubbling up?

[annabanana]

7. It all comes back to THIS!!

So many of the threads on this forum end up at THIS cul-de-sac (french for dead end). Why isn't this the fish to fry?

[ladjf]

9. That, in my opinion, is the exact reason the media chose to

oust Dean from the Democratic primary. Within days after Dean stated that he would take steps to limit the ownership of media he became the person non Grata.

[ladjf]

10. That, in my opinion, is the exact reason the media chose to

oust Dean from the Democratic primary. Within days after Dean stated that he would take steps to limit the ownership of media he became the person non Grata.

[AmerDem]

12. You got it!

The sole reason!

[liveoaktx]

3. Video Clip: Mark Lloyd on this issue from Unity Conference

Mark Lloyd on the FCC- ELECTION ISSUE

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. thanks for posting...drives the point home

[cthrumatrix]

5. you see why they are spinning for bush.... lies and spin

[annabanana]

6. So what can we DO?!? ............n/t

[cthrumatrix]

11. bombard the crap out of them...every day

their time will come

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Kerry voted for the TelCom Act which furthered consolidation.

Both candidates suck on this issue.

[blm]

19. So now you're hawking an old position, furthering a meme"they both suck"

You know by now that Kerry had toughened his position over the last five years, but you choose to ignore tthe facts to further a false meme.

My. I never would have guessed that would be your contribution at this point in the campaign. I really expected more.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

26. First, I didn't say "they both suck."

I said they both suck on this issue.

Second, I acknowledge that Kerry has made statements that indicate he desires more diversity of media ownership. Third, the fact that Kerry voted for the TelCom Act is not a "meme," it's stone-cold fact. Here are the "highlights" of that bill:

Deregulation of most cable TV rates by 1999.

Eliminates the FCC rule barring a single company from owning more than 12 television stations.

Lifts the limit of a broadcaster's national TV station audience reach from 25 percent to 35 percent.

End the FCC partial ban on broadcast networks owning cable systems.

Allows telephone and cable companies to compete in each other's businesses.

Extends TV and radio station license terms to eight years.

Repeals the law against common ownership of cable system and TV station in a market.

Eases one-to-a-market rule to allow ownership of TV and radio combos in the same locale, but only in the top 50 markets.

An obvious bad deal for the average American. Then and now.

Fourth, I'm voting for Kerry.

Fifth, I hate to break it to you but no candidate is perfect. Actions speak louder than words. When he becomes President, and I think he will, and he changes the tack the FCC is taking, I'll give him all credit due.

Finally, my point in a nutshell: Chimp says (words) he's for the working man but everything he's done in the last four years (actions) has belied those words. Kerry says (words) that he's for diversification of ownership but he voted (actions) for its concentration. Kerry doesn't get a pass on this issue.

As for me falling short of your expectations- it'd be kind of hard not to, considering the standard that must be met, i.e., Kerry is perfect. Don't misconstrue my words as being overly critical of Kerry, take them for what they are: an observation of a shitty bill. Surely you, who rails against the Globe at every turn (re: its treatment of JK), must understand that the corporate shift of media blossomed under this Act, to the detriment of a well-informed populous.

I stand by my post.


edited for redundancy

[Cogito ergo doleo]

13. Dem pundits must be stronger and not get into opinion wars

and they need to set the agenda on these programs, just like the pugs do. Kerry has the facts on his side. Armed with documented facts, Dems can embarrass the hosts.

Last week Dean refused to discuss things further until a loud video of * running in the background was cut. Lockart was also strong and effective at pointing to the BS meter with Judy Woodruff. Dems must do this consistently.

[AmerDem]

14. Does anyone remember Kerry at the DNC rehearsal?

Where he showed up to adjust the podium and set voice volume etc. During this time he made a intersting comment over the mike to the crowd that included delegates and media from all over. It was something to the effect of " to the media, enjoy the stronghold you have while you can". Now this so far from the exact quote but this is exactly the meaning in which he said it. It was a shot sent out to them, that once he is in he would bring back the Media Fairness Doctrine Act. Someone with more time then myself would probably be able to find the clip at C-Span archives. It would have been the Wendseday of the DNC convention.




Here is a copy of the Fairness Doctrine letter written by Nancy Pelosi:


July 14, 2004

HEAR WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY!


Dear Colleague:

For many years, a federal regulation required TV and radio broadcast stations to present the different sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way, including giving time to opposing points of view. This “Fariness Doctrine” was repealed in 1987.

But the idea lives on with American listeners and viewers!

A recent poll of likely voters shows overwhelming support for restoring rules requiring fairness and balance on the public airwaves – and this opinion is held across the political and demographic spectrum, including Republicans and conservatives:

· When asked whether television and radio stations that use the public airwaves should be required to present the sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way – including giving time to opposing points of view – fully 77 percent say that they should, and only 17 percent say that they should not.

· Despite being told that the Fairness Doctrine was repealed during the Reagan administration, 74 percent of conservatives and 71 percent of Republicans say that television and radio stations should be required to present the sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way.

The people are right. We urge you to support H.R.4710, The MEDIA ACT (Meaningful Expression of Democracy in America Act), to re-instate the Fairness Doctrine and bring back balanced broadcasting. Should you want to cosponsor this legislation, please contact Sherrye Henry (Slaughter office) at 5-3685 or [e-mail].


Sincerely,

S _________________ _________________
Nancy Pelosi Louise M. Slaughter
Member of Congress Member of Congress

[annabanana]

17. boy do I wish

that Peter King wasn't my rep... what a stinko

Is there a companion bill in the Senate?

[AmerDem]

23. Here is a listing of bills dealing with broadcasters.

From both the Congress and Senate.


http://www.cohnmarks.com/LegislUpdate/108thBills.htm#HB108thBroadcast

[cthrumatrix]

24. OMG .. no wonder - they have sold out

[cthrumatrix]

21. they are fighting for the puppet..clearly

[AmerDem]

15. Kick

:kick:

[kwolf68]

16. Howz about that

John Kerry is going to promote a truly free and open market as opposed to this quasi-capitalist “market” where large companies buy up all the competition under dubious guises thus eliminating competition which is a prerequisite to have a market-economy.

The Republicans are hostile to the free-market. They are monopolists and oligarchs and should be exposed as such.

[loudsue]

20. True, that! "monopolists and oligarchs"

Absolutamente!!! <Spanish for absolutely!>

If we can have a FAIR vote count, and a FAIR media, this country can turn itself around in no time!!

THE ELECTIONS AND THE MEDIA SHOULD STAY IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE!!!

:kick::kick::kick:

[cthrumatrix]

22. hostile to a free market... I guess they hate freedom & america

[AmerDem]

25. Kick, for the afternoon crowd

:kick: