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