Congress to FCC: Don’t Rush Media Consolidation

According to an article by Shawn Chang from StopBigMedia.com, Congress intensified its efforts to slow down the FCC's rush to gut media ownership rules. Chang said that members of the house and senate have focused their attention towards FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, and he said that "Thursday, more than 40 members of the House joined Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) in a letter Martin asking the Commission to 'resolve significant shortcomings in [the agency’s] plan regarding accountability, transparency, and scientific integrity' within the current media ownership proceeding."

Apparently, Martin has no intention of listening to the people's testimonies received during the past few years of public hearings, and he apparently plans to allow the gutting of media ownership rules in favor of conglomerates. If we live in a democracy, then how can it be that such a monstrosity can occur? How can the will of the people be so blatantly ignored?

Regarding the letter sent to Martin, Chang reveals, "The letter was prompted by last week’s revelation that Martin secretly circulated a timeline that would complete the current media ownership proceeding by mid-December, even though the FCC hasn’t completed a series of public hearings, addressed the dismal state of female and minority media ownership, or explained its shoddy and slanted research."

This is nothing short of appalling, and it brings to mind a quote by author Glenn Smith from his book entitled, "The Politics of Deceit: Saving Freedom and Democracy from Extinction," where he wrote:

"When freedom as we define it here becomes irrelevant to the machinations of government, why would government take steps to protect freedom? As expected, we find that elected leaders exaggerate the symbols and rhetoric of freedom while individual liberties are curtailed. American flags fly at every political event. Bells of liberty ring, patriotic music plays. While we are distracted, the political pickpockets go to work” (Smith 38).

What can be said about a federal agency that disregards its' responsiblities of protecting the public interest. In any other job, employees that defy their employers will usually find themselves unemployeed. How can it be that Chairman Martin is beyond reproach? Smith believes that with the Internet, there is hope in resisting the imposed policies of corrupt and unethical politicians:

"The Internet is a tool that is fast becoming maximally usable to its users.
This renewed participatory sphere is restoring citizens’ abilities to resist. It is resuscitating democracy and freedom. When citizens are engaged in conversations with one another about, say, the pros and cons of the Patriot Act, it is less likely that the manipulations of one leader or party will be as effective as they otherwise might be" (Smith 39).

Legend Heart Records Issues Open Letter In Response To Free Press, Future of Music: Stop The Confusion, Stop The Discrimination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PORT ORCHARD, WA / PR FREE / Feb 02 2007 --

This is in response to a press release dated January 24, issued by media reform activists at Free Press, Future of Music, and Industry Ears entitled "Slap on the Wrist Won't Stop Payola," in which they expressed grave concern over lenient terms reportedly contained in a potential payola settlement between the FCC, and the four major radio ownership groups. Most of the items proposed by these media activists to the FCC made sense, for all intents and purposes. However, two items stand out as potentially dangerous loopholes, first, that "independent" music should be included in "music testing pools," and second, that new music testing should include titles from labels and artists that have met unspecified “airplay criteria.”

First of all, these items are unacceptable because radio has proven to be untrustworthy and prone to major label favoritism, corruption, and payola. Subjecting labels and artists to music testing pools, or vague airplay criterion, would only create a vacuum in the market, and serve as another loophole for radio. It would also preserve the oligopolies in both recording and broadcasting industries. True Independent music has a right to equally share the public airwaves with major labels and their affiliates, including labels with major label "management" agreements in place. These media reform organizations are on the right track, but they failed, or forgot, to include true independent music in their proposal to the FCC. They also failed, or forgot, to distinguish the difference between true independent record labels, and labels that claim to be independent, but are in fact, not. The people must know the truth. Record labels with an affiliation or connection to a major label, are not truly independent.

Even the smallest connection to a major label brings down market entry barriers. A true independent record label has a right to open for business, create new and innovative music products, and bring those products to the commercial radio marketplace without having to submit to a major label, without having to submit to corruptible and untrustworthy "music testing pools," and without having to meet vague airplay criterion that would likely be lopsided in favor of major labels. No, this is definitely not the answer. Discrimination against true independent music would surely continue.

Section 2 (a) of the Small Business Act of 1958 states, “The essence of the American economic system of private enterprise is free competition. Only through full and free competition can free markets, free entry into business, and opportunities for the expression and growth of personal initiative and individual judgment be assured. The preservation and expansion of such competition is basic not only to the economic well-being but to the security of this Nation.”

Legend Heart Records is a true independent record label based in Port Orchard, WA. The company has been in operation since 2003.

More information is available at:http://www.LegendHeart.com.

Source link to: “Slap on the Wrist Won’t Stop Payola”:http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0124-02.htm