Seattle Takes a Stand on Media Rights
Reclaim the Media reports that the Seattle City Council has just passed a resolution in support of the Media Bill of Rights — rights that include access to media in an open marketplace of ideas, use of the public airwaves to serve the public interest and media that reflect and respond to local communities.
On passing the resolution, Council Chair Nick Licata encouraged other cities to do the same:
“I would hope that other cities will pass similar resolutions that will get the attention of our representatives in congress who have certainly watered down the public’s protections and access to these major media outlets.”
The Media Bill of Rights is backed by a broad coalition of consumer, public interest, media reform, organized labor and other groups that represent millions of Americans.
This resolution comes as Seattle prepares for a Nov. 30 Public Hearing on Media Ownership with FCC commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein. The commissioners will hear testimony on the FCC’s current notice of rulemaking that could further relax media ownership limits.
To read the full text of the Media Bill of Rights and learn more about the Seattle Public Hearing on Media Ownership, visit www.reclaimthemedia.org.
