Mergers, diversity of ownership, and multiple perspectives.
Comments Filed 12-26 with the FCC Saying No More!
Enclosed are MA’s comments on the FCC plan to relax cross-ownership rules and increase media consolidation, without even finishing the analysis of their own data on media ownership and diversity.
Media Alliance is also represented in this proceeding by the Institute for Public Representation (IPR) at Georgetown University.
On the good news front, after much litigation, the Federal Communications Commission finally released long-delayed Form 323 data, which tracks female and minority ownership of broadcast outlets.
On the bad news front, over 2,000 broadcast outlets failed to file the information at all, and those that did, did not report significant increases in ownership diversity.
But public data is public data and it is better to have access to the data than not, so for those who are interested, here it is.
Note sent to the House Energy/Commerce Committee about keeping local broadcast channels on the low price tiers of cable and satellite systems.
This is an important issue for low-income communities, especially foreign language speakers and senior citizens in times of emergency or natural disaster. Continue reading Keeping Broadcast TV Accessible
Brief interview on KQED News with Tracy Rosenberg, director of Media Alliance on the digital television transition in September of 2008.
By Ryan Kim, San Francisco Chronicle
Local broadcasters who made the switch to digital television at midnight Tuesday reported fewer than expected complaint calls Wednesday, easing fears that the early transition from analog signals would cause widespread disruptions. Continue reading Digital switch goes smoothly for local stations
Media coverage plays a crucial role in educating the public on disability issues. It could–and should–be helping people understand that these are civil-rights issues. But more often than not, reporting on disability perpetuates negative stereotypes or fails to tell the story from the perspective of people with disabilities. Continue reading REPORTING ON DISABILITY, by Suzanne C. Levine
Subject: San Francisco Public Access, Guest: Ron Vincent, City of San Francisco Information Technology Department
