San Antonio DUers: The FCC is in town TOMORROW (Jan 28)!

[pmbryant]

I just got this from MoveOn.org:

Dear MoveOn member,

This Wednesday the FCC fight goes to San Antonio, and your voice is
needed.

FCC chairman Michael Powell will host a public hearing on localism and
diversity. It's like studying fire safety after you've burned down the
house.

While the hearing ostensibly allows the public to voice their opinions
about the media, Powell has already made up his mind by allowing Big
Media to get even bigger -- despite opposition from nearly three million
Americans and most of Congress. Powell says the hearing’s goal is to
debate new 'public interest requirements' that would be impossible to
enforce and easy to challenge.

We need you to stand up to Powell and Big Media. He says he doesn't want
to talk about media monopoly and ownership in San Antonio. Neither do
the Big Media representatives who will be lining up at the hearings
early to pack the room. It's up to you to make sure media monopoly gets
discussed, and that means getting there first.

Join hundreds of citizen activists as we take on the FCC in San Antonio!

FCC LOCALISM HEARING AND RALLY
Time: 4:00 PM (Come a few hours earlier to get a spot in line if
you can)
Date: Wednesday, January 28
Place: Municipal Plaza Building, 103 Main Plaza, San Antonio

The official hearing begins at 5:30, but space is limited: first come,
first serve.

If Powell won't allow a real debate on broadcast localism, we need to
present it to him.

Visit our friends at Free Press http://mediareform.net/townmeetings for
more details.

Sincerely
--Eli Pariser
MoveOn.org
January 27th, 2004

[sonias]

1. Hey pmbryant some of us from Austin are headed your way

We've been sending the message around and I know there supposedly are a few carloads of Austinites coming your way. I thank you for posting this.

Take on the FCC and lets make sure we help down size Michael Powell!

Sonia

[sonias]

2. Woo hoo Powell got an earful last night

Wonderful turnout at the FCC San Antonio hearings. About 95% of speakers and panelist were for rolling back the ownership caps and giving clear channel a piece of their mind. Clear Channel's monopolization of local channels was roundly criticized with very good examples like their vertical ownership of performance venues, talent booking agents and the forcing of artists to perform for them or else. Not that Michael Powell and his other 2 right winger commissioners really give a rat's ass. The point was the people are angry and they repeatedly spoke of the public ownership of the airwaves that Powell and his ilk are giving away. The two commissioners who did vote against the increased ownership rules last June, were applauded.

Very colorful and moving testimony by people who waited the entire day to testify. Many stood in line since 4:00 am yesterday morning. Line was poorly organized. They ended up switching to a first come first serve (to the speaker line) which meant that some people who had stood outside since 4:00 am didn't get a chance to speak.

Here's a link to one story
Corporate Owners of Radio, TV Blasted at Hearing
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1896&e=6&u=/nm/media_fcc_dc

Thanks to all those that came out to defend our airwaves.

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

3. Excellent! I missed this!

I'll be there tonight. :-)

[Wickerman]

4. Good job San Antonio!

Proud of my old town. Glad to hear so many were there and stated their case!

:thumbsup: