Newsroom: Media Ownership

On Monday, May 9, 2005, the Media and Democracy Coalition, made up of more the 100 consumer and public interest organizations, held a press conference to release the “Bill of Media Rights.”  Below you will find the coalition’s press release. Find out more information about the Bill of Media Rights. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2005

Twenty million Americans demand a seat at the table when Congress makes new telecomm policy

WASHINGTON, DC -- A new coalition representing 20 million Americans released its “Bill of Media Rights” on Monday, demanding a seat at the table as Congress makes crucial telecommunications policy choices this year and a new study shows that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 failed to deliver on its promises of lower prices, competition and increased diversity of viewpoints.

The Media and Democracy Coalition laid out its vision in the bill of media rights for a competitive, diverse and independent media to better serve our nation’s democracy and culture. More than 115 groups have already endorsed the bill of rights, including Common Cause, Consumers Union, Screen Actors Guild, AFL-CIO and the New America Foundation. The report, released by Common Cause, shows that consumers face more media concentration, less diversity and higher prices because of the 1996 Act.

“It is vitally important that history doesn’t repeat itself,” said Common Cause President Chellie Pingree. “Any revisions to telecommunications law will make a big difference in the lives of all Americans. We want to be sure that new technology will be available to everyone and that TV, radio and the Internet offer citizens the information and diverse viewpoints they need to participate in their democracy.”

“Communications policy is not a partisan issue.  Nor is it about access to the latest gadgets. The civil rights community cares about communications policy because we recognize that what we’re really talking about is equal opportunity and equal access to important local and national resources,” said Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

“Since 1996, the percentage of minority ownership of television and radio stations has diminished and is at an all time low.  At the same time, employment of people of color in media companies has dropped and there continues to be a significant digital divide, and increasingly, a digital broadband divide.  In addition, the potential of a ramped up DTV transition threatens to cut off many Americans from broadcasting altogether.  We need to ensure that all Americans, but particularly those who have been historically and/or economically marginalized are represented when Congress and the FCC enact media policy,” said Gloria Tristani, managing director of the Office of Communication, United Church of Christ.

“We've seen the results of the deregulatory zeal of the '96 Telecom Act. Media companies have grown more powerful swallowing up the competition, while consumers continue to face soaring cable bills, confusion and poor service in the phone market, and fewer diverse sources of local news and information on TV and in newspapers.  Today we are giving notice to industry, Congress and the Administration that we will fight to ensure that media markets are open and competitive, and give consumers real choices and fair prices,” said Gene Kimmelman, senior director for public policy at Consumers Union.

“For years the music community has been united in our critique about the devastating impact of the 1996 Telecommunications Act's affect on ownership of commercial radio stations.  The release of the Media Bill of Rights represents a turning point where we move beyond simple critique to outlining what core principles we need to see in future media policymaking.  We look forward to a time where the interests of musicians and songwriters are front and center in these critical policy debates, both in Congress and at the Federal Communications Commission,” said Jenny Toomey, executive director of the Future of Music Coalition.

"The American public deserves nothing less than full and open access to unbiased media coverage. To suggest otherwise would violate their trust and the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Paul Almeida, president of Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO.

The members of the Media and Democracy Coalition number nearly 30 and include Prometheus Radio, Alliance for Community Media, National Hispanic Media Coalition and Media Alliance and national and local media advocacy, church and consumer groups. The coalition is launching a grassroots effort to ensure a free and vibrant media that is full of diverse and competing voices and that serves as the lifeblood of America's democracy and culture, as well as an engine of growth for its economy. The full list of groups that have endorsed the bill of media rights, as well as the bill itself, can be found at: www.citizensmediarights.org.

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To contact Consumers Union with questions or comments please call Matt Hartwig at (202) 462-6262 x1121.