FCC opens media ownership hearings

[cal04]

The concentration of media ownership by a few large corporations came under attack Tuesday as the Federal Communications Commission opened a series of hearings on the issue.

"Without diversity in ownership and participation, our democracy is in danger," Rep. Maxine Water said at the initial hearing held at the University of Southern California.

Waters, a Los Angeles Democrat, and others criticized ownership of the Los Angeles Times and KTLA-TV by Chicago-based Tribune Co.

Speakers said the situation stifled competition and diversity of local opinion.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061004/ap_on_re_us/media_ownership_3

[niallmac]

1. This hearing is a truly grand event. A long overdue discussion.

It will go nowhere. We the people are not in charge. The big money is in charge.

If this hearing results in divestiture of media monopolies I will be the first
to post a huge apology and admission of my unworthiness as a political observer...gladly...gleefully.

[chill_wind]

2. MASSIVE media ownership reform is needed.

I too look for no sweeping changes, especially not now while GOP controls everything, but one of the major things I would give anything to see a Dem majority do after they take out the trash to whatever extent they can- is at least hammer and hammer this. The corruption and erosion of a diverse and free media didn't begin under BushCo by any stretch, but they have unquestionably become an integrel, enabling part of the regime, beginning with FLA 2000. Complicit.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. The diverse and free media started it's slow death in 1963

.
.
.

That's when what morphed into the PNAC mob offed JFK,

and started the ever escalating decline of the USA as a respected nation.

That's how THIS Canuk sees it

[chill_wind]

5. LONG slow death. Yes. Alarming escalation under BushCo, tho. nt

[Crunchy Frog]

4. Massive, massive, massive.

The media conglomerates need to have a sledgehammer taken to them. If the Dems retake Congress, this needs to be a priority issue for them. Democracy simply can't function without some semblance of a free press.

[niallmac]

6. With a free and independent media we have a chance even

if the three branches of government are corrupt. Without a free voice for
the citizens there is precious little that can be done to prevent fascism,
theocracy whatever it is they have planned.

[Vidar]

7. I'm pleased there is a hearing, but is there even a remote chance of

accomplishing anything?

[0rganism]

8. with the current FCC lineup, no good will come of this

Hell, they might just decide that the mass media isn't consolidated enough, and relax ownership regulations for anyone named Rupert Murdoch.