The FCC comes to NC

For those of you following media politics, it has not been a good couple of weeks here in NC or in DC. The NC House moved a bill to the floor that would allow phone and cable companies to roll over communities and consumers and soon the NC Senate will do the same. Meanwhile, Congress passed a similar bill, The COPE Act, which would destroy community access television and turn the internet into a "whoever pays most, is seen most" commercial model. The death of community television and the internet? Could it get any worse?

Well, yes.

The FCC, under the leadership of Kevin Marin, from our good state, are about to change the rules about media ownership limits. Remember a couple of years ago when everyone from the NRA to Move On pulled together and stopped them? Seems they didn't hear us loud enough last time.

Well, now's your opportunity to speak out about media policy issues! Please join us in Asheville, June 28th where FCC commissioners will hold a Future of Media Town Meeting, and let your voice be heard. We have free transportation from Chapel Hill, and those coming from the Triangle will be scheduled to speak first so that we can return at a reasonable hour. More information is below. Let's show Kevin Martin that his home state thinks media consolidation is a problem, that the internet should be kept open to everyone, and that we care about local diverse community media.

Now is your chance to tell FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps how well the media are serving your community. Don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard! Free rides from Chapel Hill available!

Location: Asheville Community College

Wednesday, June 28 at 6:00 PM

Now is your chance to tell FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps how well the media are serving your community. Don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard!

RAISE IT NOW — OR LOSE IT!

Do you want the media to do a better job of covering issues you care about? Do you want more quality journalism? Are you wondering whether a few giant media conglomerates will provide the diverse and independent viewpoints you need?

This summer, the Federal Communications Commission is considering new media ownership rules that may increase the number of newspapers, radio stations and TV stations that one company is allowed to own.

Town Meeting on the Future of Media.

Asheville, North Carolina Wednesday,
June 28, 2006 6 pm
Furguson Auditorium (Laurel Building) Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

THERE WILL BE A FREE VANS FROM CHAPEL HILL'S PUBLIC ACCESS STATION - THE PEOPLES CHANNEL (300AC ELLIOTT RD.)

ALSO - There will be a workshop at The Peoples Channel to help people prepare their testimony on June 21st at 7pm.

RSVP FOR A SEAT TO ASHEVILLE - johnston@thepeopleschannel.org

Driving directions, campus map, parking and accessiblity information online at: http://www.abtech.edu/maps/asheville.asp

For more information about this event, or to find out how your organization can get involved, please contact Amanda Ballantyne (amanda@freepress.net) or visit http://www.freepress.net/future.