Bill Moyers has put into words the anguish many feel over the pending takeover of the Wall Street Journal by Murdoch Inc.:
"When it comes to Money and power [Murdoch] is carnivorous all appetite and no taste. He'll eat anything in his path," Moyers says in a video commentary posted on YouTube earlier today. "He hires lobbyists the way Imelda Marcos bought shoes. He stacks them in his cavernous closet along with his conscience."
The commentary will air on PBS tonight as the closing segment of Bill Moyers Journal. (Check local listings).
"Rupert Murdoch has told the Bancrofts he'll not meddle with reporting. But he's accustomed to using journalism as a personal spittoon," Moyers says. "His worst offense with Fox News is not even its baldly partisan agenda. Far worse is the travesty he's made of its journalism. Fox News huffs and puffs, pontificates and proclaims, but does little serious original reporting."
With so much of the national news agenda being filtered through the lenses of a few companies, it's time we thought twice about the ways we allow these massive conglomerates to gobble up local outlets and dominate local airwaves for private gain.
"The problem isn't just Rupert Murdoch," Moyers concludes. "His pursuit of the Wall Street Journal is the latest in a cascading series of mergers, buyouts and other financial legerdemain that is making a shipwreck of journalism. ... Instead of checking the excesses of private and public power, these 21st-century barons of the First Amendment revel in them. The public be damned."
Online Protest Held in Protest of Crippling Fee Hike
TAKE ACTION: http://www.savenetradio.org
WASHINGTON D.C. – The regularly scheduled programming of millions of Internet radio listeners will be temporarily interrupted today when tens of thousands of U.S. webcasters observe a national Day of Silence. Protesting the recent 300 percent royalty rate increase for online music webcasters, the aim of the industry wide daylong blackout is to raise awareness of the threat these new rates pose to the future of Internet radio and rally support for legislation pending in Congress.
"Webcasters of every size and from every corner of the country will stand united tomorrow to protest a very real and fast approaching threat to their livelihood,” said Jake Ward, a spokesperson for the SaveNetRadio Coalition. “With nearly a half million emails and phone calls from webcasters, listeners, and the artists they support sent to Congress in just the last two months, this national grassroots campaign has certainly captured the attention of lawmakers, but there is more to be done and time is running out."
During the National Day of Silence webcasters will urge their listeners to contact their congressional representatives and ask them to support the Internet Radio Equality Act and preserve the future of Internet radio. Tomorrow the silence of tens of thousand of webcasters will make the call to save Internet radio heard loud and clear.
Internet-only webcasters and broadcasters that simulcast online will alert
their listeners that "silence" is what Internet radio may be reduced to after July
15th, the day on which 17 months' worth of retroactive royalty payments -- at
new, exceedlingly high rates -- are due to the SoundExchange collection
organization, following a recent Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which represents about 600,000 journalists around the world, is marking Sunday as a global day of solidarity with Iraqi journalists to highlight the increasing danger and uncertainty their colleagues face as the conflict in Iraq worsens.
“In these dark and dangerous days, the journalists of Iraq are showing great courage and professionalism in their defiance of intimidation and the inhumanity of extremists whose callous disregard for the right to life has caused so much suffering to Iraqi media,” IFJ President Jim Boumelha and General Secretary Aidan White said in a joint letter to Iraqi unions.
The desperate conditions and uncertainty Iraqi journalists] face in their daily lives is underscored this year by the postponement of their annual celebration of solidarity in journalism from June 15 date to June 24 due to security conditions after the bombing of the minarets of the Golden Mosque in Samarra.
At least 212 Iraqi colleagues have been killed since 2003 in a conflict that has claimed more media lives than any other in modern history. Already in 2007 the IFJ knows of 39 Iraqi journalists who have been killed.
“This horrifying ordeal is one that inspires solidarity, compassion and determination among journalists of the world,” the IFJ letter said. “We shall work with you to end the killings, to provide support for the victims of violence and to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in your fight for peace, tolerance and the creation of a democratic media culture for the people of Iraq.”
The IFJ welcomes the first meeting of the Iraq Journalists Safety Committee, which has been formed after a recent meeting in Irbil, to improve safety conditions for Iraqi journalists and their support staff. The IFJ has pledged to work together with the International News Safety Institute to see an end to targeting of Iraqi media staff and impunity in the killing of journalists.
“We shall stand by you in your demand for decent working conditions, respect for independent journalism and a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future for the people of Iraq,” said the IFJ leaders.
Click here to read the full text of the IFJ solidarity level.
For more information contact the IFJ at 32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents about 600,000 journalists in 115 countries worldwide
Indigo Girls, Community Broadcasters, Religious Groups Endorse Bills to Create Hundreds of New Low Power FM Radio Stations
"In California, we've seen the value of radio stations that are local and community-driven. It's high time Congress put these public resources -- these radio frequencies -- to work for the public."
-- Jeff Perlstein, executive director of Media Alliance
WASHINGTON -- Bipartisan legislation was introduced today in both the House and Senate that would bring hundreds of local, Low Power FM (LPFM) radio stations to cities and suburbs across the country.
On a national press call this morning, the Indigo Girls joined religious groups, community radio broadcasters and public interest advocates in support of the "Local Community Radio Act of 2007" sponsored by Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.) in the House, and Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the Senate.
"Radio should reflect the vibrant diversity of music, points of view and news in our communities, not just the narrow content a few large radio conglomerates deem profitable," said Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls. "The Local Community Radio Act can make this idea a reality and deserves the support of Congress and community groups across the country."
On the call, the House co-sponsors of the Local Community Radio Act explained the importance of the legislation.
"Diverse, informative, thought-provoking, locally oriented programming has been dramatically restricted across the country by the current federal laws governing the separation between broadcast frequencies," Congressman Mike Doyle said. "Enactment of this legislation would improve the quality of life in communities across the country by providing new and different programming -- and especially programming addressing local interests and events -- to these communities."
"I really believe Low Power Radio has the potential to make communities stronger," Congressman Lee Terry said. "Congress should be expanding the forums for our local communities to communicate. There are several groups in the Omaha area that want to apply for an LPFM station, and that’s why I am working to push this legislation forward. I encourage my colleagues to jump on board and get more local stations on the air."
In response to the introduction of the Local Community Radio Act, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said: "Localism and diversity have always been at the heart of radio. Many Low Power FM stations across America reflect the best of these traditions and have flourished despite existing interference standards. As I've traveled throughout this country, I've seen local churches, schools and other community-based organizations use low power stations to broadcast locally relevant news, information and music. That's the essence of radio, and we should do all we can to promote it."
LPFM stations are community-based, noncommercial radio stations that broadcast to neighborhoods and small towns. LPFM licenses make owning a radio station possible for churches, schools, labor unions and other community groups that best understand the needs of their local communities.
"The founders of WRYR built our station to help educate our community, promote its uniqueness, and assist in fighting sprawl along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay," said WRYR-LP founder Mike Shay. "The station has focused people in our area to care even more about local businesses and environmental issues. Because of Low Power FM radio, we are more politically active, caring, and engaged, which has enabled us to make a difference in our community."
LPFM stations have also been essential in times of crisis. During Hurricane Katrina, LPFM stations in the Gulf Coast region stayed on the air and provided their neighbors with lifesaving information.
"Our low power station helped many people find shelter and restart their lives after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," said John Freeman, director of the Southern Development Foundation and founder of Louisiana's KOCZ-LP, Opelousas Community Zydeco Radio. "Folks knew to listen to us during the storm, and to work with us and our community to rebuild, because our station was the strongest source of Zydeco music in the town where it was founded. Opelousas is relying on KOCZ for church services on Sunday, youth hip-hop programming, Gospel, health information, and more. Low Power FM is helping our community to grow."
In 2000, Congress authorized the FCC to issue LPFM licenses. But legislators attached an unnecessary rule that limited LPFM stations to rural areas. Since then, thousands who submitted applications with the FCC to operate their own stations have been blocked.
"Effective and meaningful communication vehicles are a must for cities like Omaha," said Tim Clark, president of the 100 Black Men of Omaha Chapter, an organization that has been unable to obtain an LPFM license. "The need for Low Power FM radio stations for inner cities is so important when it comes to creating a sense of community and purpose, and uplifting a people to move to action. With so many commercially driven stations mostly driven by the bottom line, the community does not have a voice -- no way to mobilize the community to action. New community Low Power FM stations will give an opportunity for people to have a greater appreciation for their history, cultural enrichment and community pride."
Since 2000, the FCC has awarded more than 800 LPFM licenses to church groups, schools and civil rights organizations. The bills introduced today would authorize the FCC to license hundreds -- if not thousands -- of new LPFM stations in cities, towns and suburbs across the country.
"We’ve been building radio stations that strengthen local music and culture, give families access to their local governments, help diverse communities get on the air, and save lives -- in rural communities," said Hannah Sassaman, organizer with Prometheus Radio Project, a group that helps set up community radio stations. "We applaud Congressman Doyle and Congressman Terry for their great vision in bringing this vital service to America's cities."
"Radio consolidation has shrunk playlists and knocked whole genres of music such as jazz and bluegrass off the commercial dial," said Future of Music Coalition’s Policy Director Michael Bracy. "The Local Community Radio Act holds the promise to return radio to what made it great: cutting edge music, diverse genres and voices, and local, community-based programming. This is something Congress should have done a long time ago."
In 2003, the FCC released a $2 million, taxpayer-funded study -- known as the "MITRE Study" -- which unequivocally found that increasing the number of LPFM stations would not cause significant interference. The FCC urged Congress to repeal the restrictions it had placed on licensing LPFM stations. But no action has been taken.
"The number of churches that could have been granted LPFM licenses could have been beyond 500 had the FCC been allowed to accept applications from more communities," said Dr. Ken Bowles, general manager of Midwest Christian Media and founder of KHIS-LP in Cape Girardeau, Mo. "The MITRE study was done at the direction of Congress. Congress now has an opportunity to remove the ill-advised ban and allow Christian low power broadcasting to flourish -- bringing new formats and localization to urban areas."
LPFM stations have been instrumental in allowing religious groups to broadcast their church services, reaching new audiences and people who are unable to leave their homes.
"We believe it is the responsibility of the church to foster public dialogue about matters that affect the quality of life of people in local communities. It is our experience that Low Power FM radio is more responsive to this dialogue and serves the community more effectively than corporations far removed from local concerns," said Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications.
"The power to speak is the power to persuade, and thus the power to change the world," said Cheryl Leanza, managing director of the United Church of Christ Office of Communication, Inc. "Low Power Radio is about giving many people voice who have been voiceless and powerless. The United Church of Christ is excited that this legislation will enable more community groups and churches to bring their voices to the airwaves."
The 1996 Telecommunications Act dramatically increased media consolidation - and decreased media diversity. LPFM stations provide opportunities for people of color and women to run local radio stations and for local groups to address issues affecting their community.
"Media consolidation has made it extremely difficult for women and people of color to become radio station owners," said Joe Torres, government relations manager of Free Press. "People of color own just 7.7 percent of all full-power radio stations and women own less than 6 percent. This important legislation would provide more people of color and women with opportunities they are denied in the commercial sector."
"Consumers Union strongly supports this legislation to provide more creative opportunities for communities to be heard in what has become a very consolidated radio marketplace," said Gene Kimmelman, vice president of federal and international affairs at Consumers Union.
"We are extremely pleased to see Congress moving forward legislation to bring more LPFM radio stations to communities throughout the country," said Parul Desai, assistant director of Media Access Project. "LPFM stations serve the needs of the local community, which are often neglected by commercial broadcasters. Our hope is that Congress acts quickly on this legislation so that constituents can begin to reap the benefits of a local voice in their community."
"Common Cause urges members of Congress to support the Low Power FM bill,” said Lauren Coletta, senior director of media programs at Common Cause. “Low Power FM stations are organized by local people to serve their communities in unique ways that commercial broadcasters are unwilling to do."
"In California, we've seen the value of radio stations that are local and community-driven," said Jeff Perlstein, executive director of Media Alliance. "It's high time Congress put these public resources -- these radio frequencies -- to work for the public."
"LPFM is a low-cost, high-democracy form of community media,” said Anthony Riddle, executive director of Alliance for Community Media. "There ought to be a way for every community with the will and an idea to have its own voice. Congressmen Doyle and Terry shouldn't just be applauded-- they should be joined by every other member in supporting this eloquent and simple ideal."
"While other forms of media are consolidated and homogenous, Low Power FM remains an innovative outlet for local and diverse voices," said Amina Fazullah, staff attorney for U.S. PIRG. "This legislation is a great step forward towards a responsive media that serves citizens and not the corporate interest."
For more information on Low Power FM radio, visit http://www.prometheusradio.org
Via Lawbean:
Maine has become the first state in the union to pass legislation on net neutrality. The resolution, LD 1675, recognizes the importance of “full, fair and non-discriminatory access to the Internet” and instructs the Public Advocate to study what can be done to protect the rights of Maine internet users.
Small business owners and members of the technology industry say net neutrality is good for Maine business because it allows small businesses to compete online with large corporations. Having net neutrality principles in place would make Maine an attractive place to launch tech industry start-ups. As a result of a 2005 decision by the Federal Communications Commission, net neutrality principles, which had been in place since the inception of the internet, were put in jeopardy. Following that decision, Maine Senator Olympia Snowe proposed legislation to reinstate net neutrality at the federal level. Maine’s resolution emphasizes the importance of net neutrality to Snowe’s home state and could provide the impetus for her to refocus attention on the issue.
Lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups had nothing but good things to say about the resolution:
“Maine is the first state in the nation to stand up for its citizens’ rights to a nondiscriminatory internet,” said Senator Ethan Strimling, the original sponsor of LD 1675. “The rest of the nation should follow suit and study what can be done to protect net neutrality.”
Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union said, “Maine is once again leading the way in protecting the rights of its citizens. This resolution will help re-establish the internet as the free and open arena of democracy it was always intended to be.”
Tony Vigue of the Community Television Association of Maine said, “This important legislation puts Maine first in affirming that Internet providers should not be allowed to discriminate by speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination.”
“With a free and open internet young people are able to start businesses that compete in the global marketplace from their homes in Maine,” said Brian Hiatt, Maine Director of Communications and Online Organizing for The League of Young Voters. “Net Neutrality levels the playing field for Mainers.”
Source URL:
www.lawbean.com/2007/06/16/maine-becomes-the-first-state-to-pass-internet-neutrality-legislation/
As FCC Decides Fate of Valuable Public Airwaves, Americans Demand High-Speed Wireless Internet that Is Open, Accessible and Affordable
WASHINGTON -- More than a quarter-million Americans met today's deadline and urged the Federal Communications Commission to use a valuable slice of the public airwaves to make Internet access more open, affordable and accessible to everyone. The massive public outcry comes as the FCC prepares to set conditions on the auction of the newly available “700 MHz band” of spectrum.
Used correctly, these public airwaves could beam high-speed Internet signals to every park bench, coffee shop, workplace and home in America. But incumbent phone and cable companies want to cement their dominance of the high-speed Internet market by purchasing licenses to the spectrum. The FCC has the power to set auction rules that would protect competition and innovation in the marketplace -- and has done so in the past.
“The public is sending a clear message about the future of the Internet,” said Timothy Karr, coordinator of the SavetheInternet.com Coalition. "It would be a big mistake to hand over the airwaves to corporate gatekeepers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast. The FCC can foster a better Internet for millions by opening our airwaves to real competition and innovation."
The FCC’s comment period ends today. More than 250,000 comments were sparked by SavetheInternet.com Coalition members. Another 5,000 people joined a Facebook group called “I want national wireless Internet!” that urged people to contact the FCC.
“These newly available airwaves are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionize Internet access in our country,” said Adam Green, communications director of MoveOn.org Civic Action. “The FCC has a choice: use the public airwaves for the public good, or turn them over to self-interested corporations like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast who consistently stifle competition and innovation.”
“We need more competition and innovation, not more of the same,” said Michael Kieschnick, president of Working Assets Wireless, which has offered to buy out cell phone contracts of those fed up with the services of AT&T and Verizon. “America will continue to fall behind the rest of the world as long as we let these network giants dictate the terms of access for the majority of Americans.”
Today, a group of more than 40 leading technologists, wireless innovators, civic organizations and others sent a joint letter to the FCC calling for new competition in the wireless market and “open networks.” Last week, presidential hopeful John Edwards also sent a letter to the FCC urging that the public airwaves be used to make Internet access more available and affordable.
“New innovations in wireless technology could fundamentally transform Internet access and economic competitiveness in our country,” said Stanford Law Professor Lawrence Lessig, who signed the letter. “It is crucial that the FCC not permit the public airwaves to fall captive to anti-competitive businesses with a financial interest in stifling such innovation.”
In a filing last month, members of the SavetheInternet.com Coalition - including Consumers Union, Media Access Project, Public Knowledge and Free Press - urged the FCC to ensure that the upcoming auction sets aside at least half of the available spectrum for open and nondiscriminatory Internet access. This will guarantee that new competitors have the opportunity to enter the market with the dominant phone and cable providers that now control broadband access for more than 96 percent of U.S. residential users.
Read the letter from the national technology leaders here: http://civic.moveon.org/airwaves/fccletter.html
Edwards' letter can be viewed here: http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/5/30/13258/0589
Following is an appeal from Korean media activists to oppose the proposed new US-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
The full text of the Korean-US FTA was opened last Friday: http://www.mofat.go.kr/mofat.fta/eng/eng_list.htm
We are especially worried about the Intellectual Property Rights chapter and its confirmation letters. They have some very dangerous things in them which the former US-Korea Free Trade Agreement didn't have.
For example, both governments agree on the objective of shutting down internet sites that permit unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or transmission of copyright works, including demanding the Korean government shut down P2P and webhard service. And it also includes strong enforcements on book printing at university campuses.
If this Korea-US FTA is passed, then the US will request other countries to include these things in their FTA's too. We need to have international solidarity to stop this kind of US FTA.
Please check below and we welcome your comments, opinions or statements. And please forward it to other people world-wide.
Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S FTA will have a press conference on May 28th.
In soldarity, Kim Jeong Woo (PatchA)
Korean Progressive Network 'Jinbonet'
Tel +82-2-701-7687
Fax +82-2-701-7112
Web http://www.jinbo.net
Email i@patcha.jinbo.net / patcha@patcha.jinbo.net
(Online Piracy Prevention) http://www.mofat.go.kr/mofat/fta/eng/e45.pdf
(Promoting Protection and Effective Enforcement of Copyrighted works on University Campuses) http://www.mofat.go.kr/mofat/fta/eng/e46.pdf
(Intellectual Property Rights) http://www.mofat.go.kr/mofat/fta/eng/e43.pdf