A new report from the Federal Communications Commission shows there is “no statistically reliable evidence” community radio hurts the ratings or revenues of commercial stations. So don’t let anyone suggest otherwise. Here’s the full story from The Hill.
From our friends at The We the People Campaign and The Media Consortium. Read more about their “Campaign Cash” reporting project here.
This is an updated version of We the People’s “Intro to Citizens United” video featuring many of the great “Campaign Cash” stories from last fall (albeit briefly and, unfortunately, not exhaustively). This is timed to help promote the events around the second anniversary of the Citizens United decision coming up the week of January 16.
Although the focus of the video is largely on the problems of Citizens United and the amendment push, producers tried to convey just how important independent, non-corporate media is to this movement. We hope you like — please feel free to use/share widely.
(C) 2011 Public News Service and reproduced under Fair Use.
Public News Service – internet censorship
December 9, 2011
WASHINGTON, D. C. – Is it simply a way to crack down on the pirating of music and movies, or a measure that could lead to online censorship and the end of Internet freedom? The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the U.S. House, and a similar measure in the Senate, are raising red flags.
The House bill, expected to come to a vote before the end of the year, is seen by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) as an overreaction to copyright infringement that places unnecessary burdens on such websites as Etsy and You Tube to determine if they’re hosting unauthorized content. He opposes the Senate version, too.
“What these bills do is essentially use a bunker-busting bomb in the name of trying to deal with copyright infringement when they ought to go in with a laser beam.”
Aligned with movie studios and music companies in support of SOPA are the pharmaceutical industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Google, Yahoo and Twitter are among companies in opposition to the measure, which they say threatens Internet innovation and job creation.
Wyden says if he has to, he’ll lead a filibuster to try to forestall passage in the Senate. He has introduced alternative legislation that would leave enforcement to the International Trade Commission and, he says, narrow the potential harm from shutting down websites without due process.
“I’m not going to support anything that does so much damage to innovation and the ability of the ‘Net to be there, available to everyone, and not just the moneyed interests who have so much clout already in American government.”
Josh Levy of the media reform group Free Press says at the core of the dispute over SOPA and its Senate version – the Protect Internet Privacy Act (PIPA) – is a clash between First Amendment rights and property rights, with wealthy interests backing the latter.
“Hollywood, the recording industry, legacy businesses and organizations that are focused on protecting content creators and the interests of the wealthy.”
If PIPA and SOPA get enough votes for passage, Sen. Wyden plans to stall by reading the names of everyone signing a petition that’s being circulated against the measures. The Chamber of Commerce estimates that U.S. companies lose $135 billion a year to counterfeiting and piracy.
Mark Scheerer, Public News Service – OR
