|
|
|
PRESS RELEASE
Future of Music Coalition’s Director Toomey
|
|
WHAT |
FCC Field Hearings, Panel on “Localism” |
|
WHEN |
Thursday, February 27, 2003 |
|
WHERE |
Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA |
|
PANEL TIME |
2:40 – 3:30 PM |
|
PANELISTS |
Frank A. Blethen, The Seattle Times |
The long-awaited hearings, granted by FCC Chairman Michael Powell in
early December, may be the final opportunity for the public to protest
the effects of media consolidation - which, according to a groundbreaking
study on radio ownership released by the FMC, has led to a loss of localism,
and substantial decline in competition and diversity over public airwaves.
The FMC study supports its findings through a comprehensive, empirical
examination of ownership, programming, and format data from the nation’s
top markets. Full text and summary of the study, entitled “Radio
Deregulation: Has it Served Citizens and Musicians?” can be found
at http://www.futureofmusic.org/research/radiostudy.cfm
“Chairman Powell has promised that the FCC’s rules will preserve
and enhance diversity, localism, and competition. We’re very encouraged
that he’s invited the FMC to present our findings - which empirically
show that prior roll-backs of the ownership rules have actually had a
negative effect on all three of these mandates,” stated Ms. Toomey.
The FCC’s public hearings follow recent Senate hearings on the effects
of radio consolidation held by Chairman John McCain (R-Arizona). The Senate
hearings featured testimony by Ms. Toomey, Multi-Platinum recording artist
and activist Don Henley, Clear Channel CEO Lowry Mays, National Association
of Broadcasters' Eddie Fritts, urban broadcaster Robert Short, and Senator
Russ Feingold. Senator Feingold’s testimony coincided with his introduction
of the Competition in Radio and Concert Industries Act – a bill designed
to curtail anti-competitive practices by station owners. A transcript
of Ms. Toomey’s testimony may be found at: http://www.futureofmusic.org/news/senatecommercetestimony.cfm
“The public interest does not always mesh with the interest of media
conglomerates. Congress, the FCC, and the public are beginning to realize
that consolidation is actually impeding access to new artists, new ideas,
and local thinking,” said Ms. Toomey. “Chairman Powell has stated
they’re looking for a ‘more defensible and rational way to apply
both competitive standards and diversity standards in the radio context’.
The FMC study provides a rational basis from which to justify future ownership
rules to the courts and the public at large.”
The public hearings will be held in Meeting Room 15AB, between 10:00AM and 4:00PM at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third Street, Ballroom Building, Level 1. Live audio from the hearing will be broadcast over the web at http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/#feb27
About the Future of Music Coalition (www.futureofmusic.org)
The Future of Music Coalition is a Washington, DC-based not-for-profit
collaboration between members of the music, technology, public policy
and intellectual property law communities. The FMC seeks to educate the
media, policymakers, and the public about music / technology issues, while
also bringing together diverse voices in an effort to come up with creative
solutions to some of the challenges in this space. The FMC also aims to
identify and promote innovative business models that will help musicians
and citizens to benefit from new technologies.
PDF of this press release | Testimony
home | manifesto
| resources | press
& news | events | FAQs | subscribe | contact
us
 Want to stay on top of music/tech issues? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Read the latest edition online here.
FMC Announces Upcoming Events FMC Seeks International Project Fellow and Fall/Spring Interns FMC Commends FCC's Comcast Decision Public Enemy Frontman, Production Team and Insiders Discuss Landmark Album FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Localism Proceeding Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann & more "Rock the Net" on Compilation CD Musicians Get the Hint About Health Insurance New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Pop Rockers OK Go "Tour" Congress in Support of Net Neutrality New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Philly Bands Rocking for Net Neutrality OK Go and Bonerama Rocked DC for New Orleans Musicians Upcoming Washington, DC show and benefit EP from OK Go & Bonerama Successful New Orleans Concerts Aid Big Easy Musicians FMC's Latest Fact Sheets Ann Chaitovitz Appointed Concerts for New Orleans Musicians Bring Artists Together FMC's Jenny Toomey Appointed Program Officer for Ford Foundation Seattle "Rocked the Net" Rock the Net: Campaign for Net Neutrality Rocks Seattle Future of Music Policy Summit to Tackle Critical Issues at the Intersection of Music, Law, Technology and Policy Registration Opens for FMC's Annual Policy Summit FMC files testimony with House Small Business Committee on CRB Webcasting Rates June 21, 2006 Indie-rock revolution, fueled by net neutrality Op-ed by FMC's Jenny Toomey and Michael Bracy June 13, 2006 Pearl Jam Donation To Help Musicians Help Themselves FMC's Michael Bracy Testifies in front
of House Judiciary Committee on "Digital Music Interoperability" |
