Challenging Media Consolidation

What's New

The bipartisan Local Community Radio Act (HR 1147) sponsored by Reps. Mike Doyle and Lee Terry has reached 77 co-sponsors. This important piece of legislation will expand noncommercial, Low Power FM (LPFM) radio to towns and cities across the country. Big consolidated media corporations have dominated the full-power FM market, eliminating local news and culture. LPFM stations provide colleges, communities, religious groups, non-profits and every day citizens a chance to bring their voices and concerns to the airwaves. TexPIRG will be working with coalition partners to ensure the passage of this important media bill.

How You Can Help

Preserve Independent Media

Tell the FCC to protect a free and independent media.

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 TexPIRG 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.