Article: Public Hearing with FCC Commissioner In NYC

Dear friends,

Do you think anything is wrong with the media? Are you satisfied with the local TV and radio news we receive? What local TV and radio news you ask. Who is covering county and local politics? What about the school boards? Do you see or hear people who look like you or think like you? If you have a local businesses can you afford advertising time? If you're part of a local community group are you able to have your position treated with respect? Where do you get in depth reporting about the environment, development going on -- here in our communities?

We have a new Congress and a real opportunity for change in this area. To make that happen we need overflow crowds to show up this Tuesday, November 21st at a Public Hearing with FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and Congressman Maurice Hinchey. Check out our web site for more info on the issue, help with testimony, directions, etc.

Please help us spread the word by telling your friends, sending the below to your email lists, posting it on your web sites. Also there's a flier attached and if you could hang or pass out a few copies I'd be most appreciative.

thanks
andi
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Don't miss the only opportunity to weigh in on an issue which is critical to our democracy. Please join Congressman Maurice Hinchey and FCC Commissioner Michael Copps on November 21, 2006, 6:00 PM at the FDR Library in Hyde Park for a Public Hearing on the effects of media concentration on our communities ( see www.re-media.org for directions and more info).

The original FCC's mandate was intended to limit large corporations from dominating local and national media, thus ensuring citizens' access to the widest range of viewpoints and sources of information, essential to preserve our First Amendment. As Congress and the FCC have permitted increasing monopoly control to media corporations, we have witnessed the disappearance of almost all of our local media. Gone are people of color, women, farmers, workers, people with points of view outside the narrowly interpreted "main stream." In its place we find one size fits all media that isn't about us and doesn't serve our needs as a self-governing people.

Currently the FCC is considering further relaxing its rules on media ownership. FCC ownership rules have already permitted too much consolidation. Speak out and tell our government that it has gone too far.

thanks
andi novick

Northeast Citizens for Responsible Media
www.re-media.org

The Public Hearing has been endorsed to date by:

9/11 Committee
Blue Wave - NJ
Center for Independent Media Action
Citizens Action - Hudson Valley
Concerned People for Social Action
Dutchess Greens
Dutchess Peace Coalition
Hudson Valley VVAW/VFP
Latinos Unidos
Listen With Your Eyes
Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance
NAACP - Kingston Chapter
National Hispanic Media Coalition
New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty-Mid-Hudson Branch
Network for Spiritual Progressive - HV Chapter
Phillipstown for Democracy
Red Hook Peace & Justice
Saugerties Committee for Peace and Social Justice
Shandaken Democratic Club
Sullivan Peace & Justice
Ulster County Democrats
Ulster County Democratic Women
UU Catskill Social Action Committee
Voices for Peace Choral Group

Please contact Andi Novick: andi@re-media.org if your
organization would like to endorse.