Archive for May, 2008
Friday, May 9th, 2008 by megantady
One by one, members of Congress are demanding an investigation into the Pentagon’s covert scheme to sway public opinion about the Iraq war by placing propaganda pundits in the media.
Since we first launched our petition urging Congress to act, 41 representatives have appealed to the Pentagon’s inspector general to investigate the Defense Department. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) called the propaganda program an “unethical, and potentially illegal, propaganda campaign aimed at deliberately misleading the American public.”
Recognizing that the Pentagon did not act alone, some in Congress don’t want to allow the military analysts and the media networks to slink out the back door. Congresswoman Delauro and Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) are appealing to the Federal Communications Commission to probe whether networks violated the FCC’s “sponsorship identification rules” when analysts working from Pentagon talking points and working for military contractors appeared in broadcasts.
Their letter to the FCC states: “When seemingly objective television commentators are in fact highly motivated to promote the agenda of a government agency, a gross violation of the public trust occurs,” it continued. “The American people should never be subject to a covert propaganda campaign but rather should be clearly notified of who is sponsoring what they are watching.”
And the Pentagon’s actions became all the more real – and all the more frightening – when it released 8,000 pages of documents this week related to the propaganda program. One transcript shows an unidentified analyst suggesting they “parrot” then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
The documents are a clear indication of how far the government went to lead the American people into war and should make it obvious to Congress that those members who haven’t done so yet, should stand up now.
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Thursday, May 8th, 2008 by megantady
Just in case Congress hadn’t heard your voices shouting out against media consolidation, we thought they should see your faces, too.
Last fall, more than 5,000 people posted their photos and comments on our virtual wall of protest against the Federal Communications Commission’s move to relax media ownership rules even further. This week, we’re delivering many of these photos and comments to the Hill, asking members of Congress to look their constituents in the eye before voting yes or no on whether Big Media should be allowed to get even bigger.
 More than 5,000 people posted their picture on the Stop Big Media Wall |
Passing the “resolution of disapproval” would allow Congress to reject the FCC’s decision to allow media companies to own both a major broadcasting station and a newspaper in the same market.
We’ve strung together many of the most inspiring quotes, stories and photos, and Free Press staffers will be delivering these protest packets to 27 Hill offices.
Sen. Wayne Allard will be hearing from Colorado constituent John L., who said, “Media consolidation hurts local community voices in media, and compromises a free, independent press that speaks truth to power and demands accountability. The effects are all too clear in this country. Keep corporate media monopolies at bay.”
Dan L. will tell his Kansas Sens. Pat Roberts and Samuel Brownback, “I live in Kansas City, and most of our media outlets are owned by people who have no stake in the welfare of our community. We don’t need more consolidation.”
And Jayme W. from Nebraska will speak up to Sen. Benjamin Nelson, saying “The freedom of the press is one of our most important freedoms. The rush to allow even more consolidation of media in the grip of large corporation is one of the greatest threats to our national freedoms.”
These photos and voices aren’t just another brick in the wall — they’re messengers of the media reform movement. And the message is clear: we don’t want more media consolidation.
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Thursday, May 1st, 2008 by jstearns
It is your call. The action of a quarter-million citizens like you pushed the Senate Commerce Committee to unanimously pass the congressional veto that would overturn the FCC’s big media handout. The next step is a vote by the full Senate - we don’t know when that’ll happen but we need to line up support now. Your call today could make all the difference.
Picking up the phone is the most effective way to influence your member of Congress. Your Senator could cast the deciding vote to reject the FCC decision and stop tycoons like Rupert Murdoch from setting the news agenda. Can you take a moment to call your senator today?
Call Your Senator: Save Local Voices. Stop Big Media.
This bill couldn’t have come at a more important moment. Rupert Murdoch is trying to buy Newsday, which would be his third New York newspaper. (Murdoch already owns the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal and two television stations in this one media market!)
The FCC’s own data shows that allowing one company to own a major newspaper and broadcast station in a community leads to less local news overall. We also know that more consolidation leads to cuts in newsroom staff and erodes quality journalism.
We can stop consolidation by passing the resolution of disapproval. To do that, we need your help right now. We have tips and talking points available for you.
Make a Call: Stop Rupert Murdoch and Big Media.
We’ve already secured 25 Senate supporters, and we need you to convince your senator to tip the Senate vote against Rupert Murdoch and the other media giants. Your Senator could be the swing voter on the resolution. If your Senator is already on the bill (Click here to check: http://tinyurl.com/63wdbf) then call and thank them for their leadership.
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