Also this issue: My Brilliant TV Career -Bruce Schimmel Let The Sun Shine -Howard Altman Letters to the Editor

May 1- 7, 2003

slant

Speak Up

Tell the FCC you don’t want media monopolies.

by Inja Coates

Here’s something you may not have heard: An appeals court in Florida ruled that it is not illegal for the press to deliberately lie, conceal or distort information.

The ruling in question stems from a case in Tampa, Fla., involving two former Fox News reporters, Jane Akre and Steve Wilson, who tried to air an investigative report on the health risks associated with milk from cows that were treated with a synthetic bovine growth hormone (BGH) produced by Monsanto. The hormone has been linked to cancer and is banned or unapproved throughout Europe and in several other countries because of human health concerns. The whistle-blowing journalists say their corporate bosses at Fox, under pressure from Monsanto, chose to cover up the story and twice offered them big money to keep quiet about what they knew.

It’s not surprising that most people haven’t heard of the BGH scandal that led to the first court case or the appellate ruling that came later, since the mainstream media would have little incentive to publicize those matters.

Here’s another little-reported fact: The Federal Communications Commission, headed by Colin Powell’s son Michael, has been reviewing its rules on media ownership since last September. Through intensive lobbying and aggressive court challenges, these rules have been whittled down over the years to the remaining six that stand between us and what many predict will be unfettered monopoly. It is largely expected that these rules will be relaxed if not eliminated altogether in a June 2 vote. Some of the rules in question include: a ban preventing a company from owning both a newspaper and a broadcast station in the same market, a limit on the total number of households any one broadcaster can reach nationwide (now capped at 35 percent) and a rule prohibiting any of the four major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) from merging.

It’s doubtful you’d hear about this on the Major Four, since, after all, they are themselves the main beneficiaries of these policy changes. They’ve worked long and hard (i.e. spent hoards of money) to bring these changes to the table and don’t have any interest in calling a lot of attention to it now. Indeed, a recent study by Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that more than 70 percent of the public knows "nothing at all" about these issues pending before the FCC.

Nevertheless, public interest is growing and media activism is on the rise. Some of you hardened cynics may not think it makes much difference if 10 companies own everything or if that number is two. But it will. With media and telecommunications’ convergence, one company’s ability to dominate public debate across every conceivable platform is real. If you enjoyed Fox News’ gung ho war coverage and ridicule of peace activists, then you’ll be glad to know that owner Rupert Murdoch plans to spread the cheer as soon as his purchase of DirecTV is approved. And if the FCC eliminates the ownership rules, Murdoch will readily beef up his already powerful News Corporation, of which Fox is only a small but significant piece.

The FCC has five commissioners, always split 3-2 in favor of the president’s party. Interestingly, there has been dissension within the ranks of the FCC. Chairman Powell, a Republican, has made it clear that he favors lifting the rules to create what he perceives will be an atmosphere where the clashing media titans can work their market magic. Commissioner Michael Copps, the lone Democratic voice on the Commission for many months, has spoken about the magnitude of these decisions and the need to generate public awareness and input. In November the long-vacant fifth seat was finally filled and Copps was joined by fellow Democrat Jonathan Adelstein, who also felt that it was inappropriate to make drastic policy changes without the public even knowing about it.

In addition to pressuring Powell to hold an official public hearing on the matter in February in Richmond, Va., Commissioners Copps and Adelstein have crisscrossed the nation to participate in public forums where they listen to the public and generate publicity. The commissioners point out that the media deserve special attention specifically because of the business they’re in.

On Wednesday, May 7, Commissioner Copps will be in town to hear from the people of Philadelphia. A public forum will be held at 7 p.m. at the Annenberg School at Penn, where he will hear from local media industry and community representatives, and members of the public.

Consider that there could be fewer outlets to learn about health hazards like BGH or the dangers of media monopoly. That seems to be the plan unless the public speaks up to protect media diversity now.

Inja Coates is a Philly-area media activist and artist who works with the Philadelphia Community Access Coalition and Media Tank. If you would like to respond to this Slant or have one of your own (850 words), contact Howard Altman, City Paper editor in chief, 123 Chestnut St., third floor, Phila., PA 19106 or e-mail altman@citypaper.net.