ihoby wog

The FCC hearing tonight at the Seattle Town Hall went pretty well for the public – it wasn’t so good for the handful of media conglomeration advocates who spoke. Kevin Martin got an earful of our discontent, our hopes, our accomplishments, and our strong opinion against media consolidation.

I was present in Monterey, CA at that leg of the 2004 hearings.. and I’d have to say that this recording of public and panel comments was as good or better than that one. There weren’t as many people (given the short notice) but the people who where, gave solid and passionate testimonies to not only commissioner Copps but also Kevin Martin! Can you believe it? Now, Martin didn’t stay at the commissioners’ table the entire time, nor was he paying attention 100% – but he DID keep coming back and listening. I left a little after 9:30 pm so I don’t know if he stayed in his chair until the end but he was CERTAINLY subjected to hours and hours of people telling him that the previous FCC decisions concerning consolidation have caused so much harm and any future loosening of consolidation restrictions would cause even more – that it is NOT in the public interest, it is NOT what we need, and it is NOT what we want.

There were speakers from diverse backgrounds, ages, shapes and sizes – all giving the same opinion but from their own perspective, in their own way. In a discussion of media diversity, we gave them public diversity.. in person and en masse.

Probably one of the best (there were so many memorable speakers) angles of perspective came from a middle aged woman with a british accent. She got up and told the commission that she was “shocked.. that there are so many people here tonight, BEGGING to you – for what should be their right.” (not sure if I’m quoting exactly)

It’s something that no one else spoke of and I myself hadn’t backed out of the moment enough to realize the absurdity of the entire situation. Why ARE we needing to fly, drive, bike or run in from across town or across the country with a few days notice, just to have the chance to jostle in line for a chance to beg to this appointed commission? Why aren’t we being asked what’s in our interest before-hand? Why aren’t we polled? Why aren’t they coming to US to make their decisions?

Why must we be forced to beg for what is right? To beg for them to do what is right?

It’s an important point that I’m glad was made. Within the sea of other statements that comprised some of the finest public feedback I’ve witnessed from a group as large as this – it wrapped it all up, back to a point where all of the impassioned pleas from us were suddenly in a greater perspective.. That it’s come down to this now. That we’re being treated this way. It’s simply inhumane.

How could ANYONE after hearing everything that was said tonight, go back to their office and still side with corporate media on this? How could they live with themselves?

I guess we’ll find out when Kevin Martin gets back to D.C.

In my first bit of news to report, I’d like to say that the Federal Communications Commission Localism Public Hearing held last night in Monterey was a success. The three commissioners present were greeted with a nearly unanimous 5 hour wave of disapproval concerning the effects of their deregulation of media consolidation.

Person after person voiced unique, eloquent, and emphatic remarks of why it hasn’t worked, what has been going wrong and what ideas the FCC could use to fix it. I’m very happy to report that even though I didn’t have enough time to prepare anything worthy of the open mic on this topic, I wouldn’t have had to. Other attendees of the public did for the most part, a splendid job of concisely presenting the opinions and facts that the FCC – and everyone really – should hear most..as well as ripping media power abusers (like Clearchannel, Murdock, etc.) a new ass hole. The only other facet I could have spoken on was how these and other rulings spelled the demise of internet radio’s former glory. Everything else was said and said well.

Our level of energy, unanimity and intelligence was inspiring. We know now that at least at this one event, we the people were heard. Loud, clear and in person. Copps, Adelstein and Abernathy have several hours of west coast public and industry discontent to shove in Powell’s orifice of choice.

I’d like to make a more complete report, one with quotes and greater depth. Apparently there will soon be a streaming video webcast of the event, so I should be able to do that. But also, if anyone has their own complete footage of the event – my own is shaky and woefully incomplete – a best-of video would also be great to make and release.

Side Points of interest:

– A couple people from the SF Indymedia were there. Liam who spoke at the mic and the girl who wore little pink piglet ears.

– For some members of the hearing staffers and conventional media, the energy of turnout was apparently frightening. People in suits nervously described us as “Quite a lively crowd” and stayed quiet after the talks began.

– Dozens of useless city police were scattered inside and out, with trucks and barricades. They stood around, bored out of their minds for the entire event.

More information on this and the other six hearings around the U.S. is available at this address:

http://www.fcc.gov/localism/hearing-monterey072104.html