June 05, 2003
“This week’s FCC decision to allow for monopolies in media markets represents a grave day for free speech. It represents a grave day for any American who believes that we benefit from the presentation of a variety of viewpoints on issues, not the few that will be ushered in by the huge media conglomerates.
The Bush Administration has, effectively, gone on record saying that they are not interested in preserving multiple media voices and opinions in the electronic and print media industries and that they are not interested in promoting minority participation in our cultural dialogue.
The results will be staggering. We will soon no longer have small, independent television stations and newspapers because they simply don’t have the resources to compete with Viacom and Newscorp.
By lifting these rules, we will lose the independent media watchdog the American people have come to rely on. By lifting these rules, we will endanger the few minority voices now heard on the nation’s airways.
Now, we must redouble our efforts to pass legislation that will repeal this ruling against free speech and broad expression. We must mobilize grassroots organizations, who have already been galvanizing critical support, to help us in this fight.
The suppression of the majority of voices in our society is simply not acceptable.”
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against FCC Ruling On Media Deregulation
Washington, DC – At a press conference today on Monday’s Federal Communications Commission’s decision on media deregulation, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement:“This week’s FCC decision to allow for monopolies in media markets represents a grave day for free speech. It represents a grave day for any American who believes that we benefit from the presentation of a variety of viewpoints on issues, not the few that will be ushered in by the huge media conglomerates.
The Bush Administration has, effectively, gone on record saying that they are not interested in preserving multiple media voices and opinions in the electronic and print media industries and that they are not interested in promoting minority participation in our cultural dialogue.
The results will be staggering. We will soon no longer have small, independent television stations and newspapers because they simply don’t have the resources to compete with Viacom and Newscorp.
By lifting these rules, we will lose the independent media watchdog the American people have come to rely on. By lifting these rules, we will endanger the few minority voices now heard on the nation’s airways.
Now, we must redouble our efforts to pass legislation that will repeal this ruling against free speech and broad expression. We must mobilize grassroots organizations, who have already been galvanizing critical support, to help us in this fight.
The suppression of the majority of voices in our society is simply not acceptable.”
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