Media Consolidation Is a Civil Rights Issue
In a guest post, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson shares a letter he sent to the Kevin Martin, chairman of the FCC, in support of Commissioner Adelstein’s proposed independent task force on female and minority ownership. You can join Reverend Jackson in supporting Commissioner Adelstein’s call for an independent panel on female and minority ownership by clicking here.
September 26, 2007
Dear Chairman Martin:
I first want to thank the FCC for holding its September 20th hearing at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago. The hearing was a rare opportunity to hear from a segment of our population seldom asked for their opinion on media policy issues, even though they are greatly impacted by your decisions.
During the hearing, Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein called for the creation of an independent minority ownership task force before moving forward with any effort to change our nation’s broadcast ownership rules. Many who testified also supported Adelstein’s call. And in recent days, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) have endorsed the idea.
I would like to add my voice to the growing chorus of support for Commissioner Adelstein’s proposal.
Media consolidation is a civil rights issue that the FCC can no longer neglect. People of color understand the importance of media ownership in ensuring that our communities receive the news and information they need.
In 1827, the founders of Freedom’s Journal, the first African-American newspaper, wrote: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us. … From the press and the pulpit we have suffered much by being incorrectly represented.”
These words are as true today as they were 180 years ago.
People of color still do not have equal access to our public airwaves because of a legacy of discrimination and media consolidation.
According to research by Free Press, people of color constitute just 7 percent of all full-power broadcast TV and radio owners in the United States but they make up 35 percent of the population. This level of inequality is disgraceful.
I support Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein’s call for the creation of an independent task force. And I agree with the commissioner that the FCC should not move forward with any rule changes until the work of the task force is completed. I am willing to serve on such a panel and help ensure its success.
The lack of minority broadcast owners is one of the most important civil rights issues of our time. For too long others have spoke for us, and for too long the FCC has neglected to address how to increase minority ownership.
We can not afford to wait any longer. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Founder and President
Rainbow PUSH Coalition
