Edwards Comes Out Strongly Against Media Consolidation(Calls on Dems to oppose Dow Jones/WSJ merger)

[jsamuel]

http://www.johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20070802-media-consolidation/

Challenges Democratic presidential candidates to cut off contributions from News Corp Executives

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards spoke out strongly against media consolidation which threatens the health of our democracy, by calling on Democrats to openly oppose and take the necessary steps to stop the merger between News Corp and the Dow Jones Company/The Wall Street Journal. Edwards called on Democrats to oppose the merger in light of the biased and unfair manner Fox News, and other media arms of News Corp, cover Democrats and the Democratic Party. In an email to supporters, the campaign asked Democrats to speak out against this unfairness.

As part of his opposition, Edwards challenged all the Democratic presidential candidates to refuse contributions from News Corp executives and to refund any contribution they have already taken.

"News Corp's purchase of the Dow Jones Co. and The Wall Street Journal should be the last straw when it comes to media consolidation. The basis of a strong democracy begins and ends with a strong, unbiased and fair media — all qualities which are pretty hard to subscribe to Fox News and News Corp. The reality is that Americans deserve more news outlets — not fewer. It's time for all Democrats, including those running for president, to stand up and speak out against this merger and other forms of media consolidation.

"Moreover, given Fox News' consistent efforts to demean Democrats — they have attacked the character of Senator Obama, Vice President Gore, and many others — no Democrat running for president should accept campaign money from top News Corp executives. So, today, I'm challenging every Democratic presidential candidate to refuse contributions from News Corp executives and return any they've already taken, beginning with Rupert Murdoch. The time has come for Democrats to stop pretending to be friends with the very people who demonize the Democratic Party."

[aquart]

1. I like him more and more.

[Rageneau]

5. I like him more and more, too. It's too bad I can't support him because of his haircut.

If he was ugly and bald, he'd be a heck of a candidate. But the GOP and the MSM are right about Edwards -- he's much too good-looking and personable to be President.

[windy252]

12. lol.

I do love the sarcastic humor from some Duers on here.

[Ian David]

2. Yay, John Edwards! n/t

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended

Thanks for the thread jsamuel.

[More Than A Feeling]

4. It's way overdue for FOX news to get (figuratively) smashed in the face.

They've had a clear shot at lying and blasting democrats with their propaganda for far too long.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

6. K and R nt

[vireo]

7. Good for him!

Opposing media consolidation supposedly led to the demise of Dean's candidacy. But the corporate media already has it in for Edwards, anyway, so he might as well speak out on fundamentally important issues such this.

[Zorra]

8. Like Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards seems to really get it.

I like him more every day.

[KoKo]

9. Good for HIM! Call it out....time to stop the Robber/Baron/Randolf Herst types from

gobbling up every last media. Even though WSJ Editorial Page was RW...they did have some great writing inside the cover.

[jsamuel]

10. kick

[wisteria]

11. I agree with him, but I thought this was a done deal. n/t

[Kolesar]

13. no Democrat running for president should accept campaign money from top News Corp executives

Hill-A-Ree!

[BeyondGeography]

14. Good politics and, on consolidation, good policy

[Totally Committed]

15. But, isn't this pretty much a done-deal?

I thought it was.

TC

[jsamuel]

17. If we complain to the FCC, they can stop it.

[Kolesar]

16. Other, earlier thread by bablyonsister

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3422078