Breslin: “The Media Should Have Their Licenses Revoked”

[G_j]

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/29/1442255

Jimmy Breslin: “The Media Should Have Their Licenses Revoked” for Lack of Convention Coverage

We speak with Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Jimmy Breslin about the intense scripting of John Kerry’s coronation ceremony at the Democratic National Convention.
We caught up with Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Jimmy Breslin from Newsday to get his thoughts on the intense scripting of John Kerry's coronation ceremony.

Jimmy Breslin, Pulitzer prize winning columnist for Newsday.

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RUSH TRANSCRIPT
AMY GOODMAN: What's taken place in the Fleet Center has been a tale of two conventions. One, a highly choreographed convention. The other, delegates who are anti-war and anti-Patriot Act. The public face has been one of unanimity. But on the floor, many delegates have expressed their frustration, but the messages coming from the podium have not reflected their views particularly on the invasion and occupation of Iraq. As we have reported this week, some delegates report having their anti-war signs taken from them because they aren't part of the officially approved and coordinated message. We caught up with Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Jimmy Breslin from "Newsday."

AMY GOODMAN: So what did you think about this convention?

JIMMY BRESLIN: Too nice.

AMY GOODMAN: What do you mean?
....more...

[Stone_Spirits]

1. snip

AMY GOODMAN: What do you think of the corporate networks saying there's no story here?

JIMMY BRESLIN: I think what should happen is people should go to their local stations and challenge the license.

AMY GOODMAN: Why?

JIMMY BRESLIN: Because they didn't fulfill their role in public service by running the politics of the country at a crucial time. They should run this, and then they’re going to cut down on the Republicans, too. You oughtta make coalitions. They go after licenses. They don't deserve a license. They did not run, history will show, they did not put Barack Obama on the television last night. And for sure, whether he wins the race, he's going to run for president on this party some day. There’s no more Hillary, there’s no more anybody. There’s one guy. And he's going to be it and they didn't have him on television. You should go after their licenses. I don't know how you deal with the network. I know you could go after channel 7 in New York or someplace. Go ahead. They didn't run it. It's a sacrilege and nobody complains.

snip

[mdmc]

2. okay... what is the process of "going after a license?"

any corporate / media lawyers in GD?

:kick:

[Jawja]

3. And I propose

that we find a way to require cable companies to offer individual channel subscriptions instead of the package that you get. In other words, I would like the option NOT to pay for CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc. and still get the Weather Channel, Sci-Fi, Bravo, etc.

I'm sure the 24 hour cable "news" channels are receiving proceeds from cable subscribers?

[G_j]

4. wouldn't that be great? n/t

[mdmc]

6. now, now

that would be too good to be true. Best to ditch cable and listen to npr. :)

[liveoaktx]

5. Can't broadcast anymore if their licence is revoked

I propose we go after it in complaints .... on the last day of the Repub convention.

[depakid]

7. Members of the public can challenge a license

by filing a formal petition to deny a station’s license renewal a month before the renewal date. Broadcast licenses come up for renewal every eight years.

Here's a bit about it from the community media workshop:

"Back in the mid-sixties, the United Church of Christ successfully challenged the license renewal of WLBT-TV in Jackson, MS. The
station had aired the opinions of segregationists without also airing the views of civil rights advocates, refusing even to meet with community members about the issue. Since then, the Federal Communications Commission has made it easier for broadcasters to evade challenges.

One of the biggest obstacles for activists is the “market-wide” standard, created during the Reagan administration. This rule says that it's okay for a particular station to fall down on their public interest obligations, as long as other stations in the community have met theirs."

(Note- this is one of many rules passed by Mark Fowler, the corrupt FCC chairman during the 80's. A Kerry FCC could easily change it.)

"Many feel that broadcast media are failing across the board in their coverage of elections. This may be the most productive avenue for pursuing license challenges, in light of the “market wide” standard. Citizen Advocacy Center, in west suburban Elmhurst, is one group considering a license challenge project.

Terry Pastika, executive director, notes that they have surveyed local
legislators on their feelings about the media; had three public forums on the subject of broadcasters meeting the public interest; and
plan to produce a cable access show on the subject. In the meantime, they feature a Media Take Action packet on their website
www.citizenadvocacycenter.org with a number of suggestions for taking action on this issue."

More on this here.

If anyone is interested in challenging a license (or threatening to challenge one) the FCC has a database showing which licenses are up for renewal and when. You can access it here:

http://www.vilimpoc.org/research/fcc-challenge/