Overview
The Supreme Court has long held that “the rights of the viewers and
listeners are paramount” and that “the widest possible dissemination of
information from diverse and antagonistic sources is essential to the
welfare of the public.” The largest media conglomerates, however, see
things differently. That’s why they tirelessly lobby the Federal
Communications Commission for fewer restrictions on the size and
influence of media companies, and greater authority to shut out
independent voices and ideas.
In
2003, the FCC bowed to special interest pressure and voted to weaken
longstanding media ownership rules, even though a massive coalition of
groups across the political spectrum sent over 3 million comments
opposing the proposal to the FCC and Congress. If the rules are
weakened—more big media companies will be allowed to own both the
largest newspaper and the largest television station in any city.
That’s
why U.S. PIRG is working hard to get Congress and the FCC to take the
side of American citizens over big media corporations. Media monopolies
are bad for consumers, bad for society and bad for democracy. We’re
standing up to special interest influence to make sure our television,
radio and internet remain true marketplaces of ideas.
