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A media system
controlled by five multinational corporations challenges our democracy,
as those corporations are geared toward profit, not the public's
needs. This is inspite of the FCC's charter rules to have them
do just that! Unfortunately, those rules have been watered down
and the McNews produced by this system is designed to sell,
not inform. Like fast food, it's attractive, but fails
to nourish. Our democracy needs citizen involvement to function;
otherwise, the interests of the elite rich fill the void. That's
what happening in Washington and it's not good. As Senator McCain
has said, lobbyists have written FCC deregulation rules.
Whether or
not things get better or worse depends completely on us. It's
that simple. Resignation or apathy is a failure of the spirit,
but involvement enriches ourselves as well as others. We at IBLTV
believe that this issue is a vital one, as it addresses a serious
national problem at our local level. By getting involved, we meet
our neighbors, work together, and leave our system strengthened
for the next generation. Our country is great because of past
efforts and sacrifices -- it is up to us to keep it great!
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Steps
you can take:
1.
Become informed.
The most important
step! The more you learn about what's happening to the media,
the more you will see how badly we are treated by those who use
the public's airwaves. And the more you'll want to act.
There is a trick, though,
to this process of becoming involved: The
corporate-controlled media has no motivation to report
on its influence over legislation and how media deregulation and
consolidation has resulted in a poorly informed nation. what news
you see.
So don't expect to hear
about it on the Nightly News. Fortunately, there are several good
sources of information on the Internet (see the bottom of the
Issues page).
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2.
Join our group or start your own!
By joining up with others, you will be able to channel your concern
(or disgust) into positive, concerted, action. Never underestimate
the power or productivity of even small groups of concerned and
motivated citizens. IBLTV, a relatively small group of citizens,
were able to put together a Petition to Deny Renewal and send
it to the FCC. While it required a significant amount of work,
we all felt it was worth it.
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3.
Spread the word!
Talk to your friends
and neighbors about this issue. Remember, the very media system
that should keep us informed, will not do the job. It's up to
us!
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4.
Invite us to speak to your group.
If your church group, civic organization, or neighborhood
group would like to learn more, an IBLTV member can come to your
group and provide a presentation of the issues that have motivated
us to action. Contact us by e-mail at feedback@ibltv.org to get
in touch with us.
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5.
Support Reform Legislation.
There are efforts
afoot, such as Sen. McCain's "Localism
in Broadcasting Reform Act of 2005", which would reduce
the broadcaster's TV license from the current 8 years back to
the 3-year period that it used to be prior to the deregulation
of the 1980's.
Contact
your representatives in Congress and ask them what they
are doing to help.
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 6.
Complain
to the FCC. By law, TV
broadcasts are subject to local standards and the FCC's charter
notion of "the public interest". Remember, the FCC grants
broadcasters the right to use a limited resource -- our public airwaves
-- for profit, in exchange for the duty to "serve the public
interest", the words of FCC law. If you find the output of
stations like those of Sinclair Broadcast Group objectionable, file
a compliant at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html.
Think it doesn't matter? It was the public's outcry that finally
reversed some of the the corporate giveaways in the June 2003 FCC
ruling. |
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...there's
just not enough time".
We understand that many
of us have a lot going on and that time is precious. There are
many important and worthwhile causes, but we just can't do everything.
However, we ask you to consider doing something. Because
there is a world of difference between being disengaged and being
involved, no matter the level. The moneyed interests that run
our federal government depend on an uninformed and disengaged
public. The solution to that problem is simple - involvement.
If you choose not to become
an active member of IBLTV, there are still things you can do to
participate. And they don't take much time at all:
Surf
the net to learn more about the issues -- check out
our discussion in the pages found on the Issues page for more
about the local challenge. Use the website links listed on the
left edge our pages to tap into other efforts.
Talk
to your friends. Find out what others think. You'll
might be surprised to find that many are concerned about our country,
but simply haven't talked much or formulated approaches. This
is what a community is all about!
Keep
up on what is happening locally. E-mail
us and we can add -- if you request it -- your name to our
contact list. We'll keep you informed of our group's activites.
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Iowans for better local TV
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