York PC 112: Huge Win For Media Diversity And Competition...

Dear Dan, We won! Today, in a sweeping victory for communities across the country, a federal appeals court overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s attempt to weaken media ownership rules. Had these rules gone into effect, it would have unleashed a new wave of media consolidation across the country. In 2007, the FCC ignored letters and calls from millions of Americans and tried to rewrite its media ownership rules to let companies own both newspapers and TV or radio stations in the same town. This change would have opened the floodgates to new media mergers, leading to even more layoffs in newsrooms while thinning out diverse perspectives from local news. We sued the FCC for ignoring the public outcry. Today, we won. The court tossed out the FCC's flawed rules, but also upheld all other media consolidation restrictions and told the FCC it needed to do better to support and foster diverse voices in the media – all crucial decisions for our fight to build better media. This isn’t just our victory – it’s your victory, too. The court pointed to public comments from people like you as deciding factor in overturning the FCC’s attempt to change its rules. Today it’s clear: Your voice and actions make a huge difference. This court decision should send a wake-up call to the FCC: It must listen to the public and stand up against media consolidation in all its forms. But the fight doesn’t end here. Right now around the country, local stations are using loopholes and backroom deals to get around media ownership rules and consolidate their coverage of local news. This court case makes clear that the FCC needs to strengthen their rules and address this growing epidemic as well. Click here to tell the FCC to stop this covert media consolidation. Today’s victory is a big moment for the movement to build better media. We couldn’t have done it without you. Onward, Craig Aaron President & CEO Free Press P.S. – We need your help sustaining our efforts. In court, at the FCC and in Congress we’re up against huge companies with lots of money and lawyers. We don't take money from government, political parties or businesses – so we depend on you. Help us fight the next media ownership fight. Please donate today. P.P.S. – Read more about the details and background of today’s big decision.

Free Press Action Fund is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Learn more at www.freepress.net