By Danielle Johnson
- "A time for change!"
- “For too long now, the FCC has been putting corporate interests ahead of the people’s interests. It’s time for that to change.” These are the words of democratic presidential Candidate Barack Obama, from the letter that he and Senator Kerry wrote to the Federal Communications Commission on July 20, 2006. Two years and some odd months later, Obama is still seeking an end to the current consolidation within in the media.
- "Let's Tackle this Issue"
- Jason Rosenbum, webmaster of an online seminal, is also annoyed with the current state of the media. Rosenbum wrote an article titled, “Where Do the Candidates Stand on Media Consolidation?” Here he claims that Barack has tackled issues of media consolidation and diversity in media ownership pretty well.
- "So Stubborn"
- On October 22, 2007, Obama wrote another letter to the FCC, where he expressed his concerns about the current media consolidation. He wrote, “Minority owned and operated newspapers and radio stations play a critical role in the African American and Latino communities and bring minority issues to the forefront of our national discussion.”
- He also addressed the studies that had taken place in early 2007 by the FCC. He wrote, “The FCC commissioned two studies on minority ownership in the round of 10 studies, but failed to present adequate data.” Obama then addressed the closed door meeting that the FCC held with lobbyist in which they were considering repealing the newspaper and television cross ownership rules. Obama wrote, “It is unclear what your intent is on the rest of the media ownership regulations. Repealing the cross ownership rules and retaining the rest of our existing regulations is not a proposal that has been put out for public comment; the proper process for vetting it is not in closed door meetings…”
- "Obama Calls the FCC Out"
- Fed up with the sneaky tactics of the FCC, Obama hopes to make a change when he becomes president. Through diversifying the media, more minority and women-owned media outlets will blossom, there will be greater coverage of local issues and there will also be better responsiveness by broadcasters to the communities they serve.
- "Ummm Clinton???"
- For supporters of Hilary Clinton it is hard to say where she stands. When journalist Julia Cheng asked Clinton about her stance on media ownership, she responded by saying she had not thought the issue through and did not want to be glib. Ironcically, while in office her husband, former President Bill Clinton was behind passing the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.
- According to Cheng, a study published in 2000 by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Association found that minorities only owned 3 percent of the existing TV and radio facilities in 1995 and that number dropped in 1996-97. This was the same year the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was passed and implemented. Then in 1996, after Congress repealed its tax incentive, the number of minority-owned stations dropped even more by 28 percent.
- "The Voice of a Young Person"
- Tiara King, a radio/tv/ film major, at Clark Atlanta University sees this push for change by Obama as a step towards more equality. Knowing that Clinton had no real plans diverse media ownership, King won’t think twice about supporting her.
- “We live in a diverse country, why not diversify what we see, hear and google everyday. I am tired of seeing the same stereotypical roles that minorities play, aren’t we all?” King is also planning to start her own media company and believes that Obama’s push for change makes her future career sound even more promising. This change could not only positively affect Kings future career, but the careers of many Mass Media Arts students from CAU as well as students every where.
