On September 20, the Federal Communications Commission will hold an official public

hearing on media ownership in Chicago, Illinois. This is the fifth in a series of six official

hearings on media ownership nationwide and the only one in Midwest -- so it's critical for you to be there:

Date: Thursday, September 20
Time and Location: TBA
More Information: www.stopbigmedia.com/=chicago

who_owns_chicago.pdf

fcc_basics.pdf

The FCC is attempting to change the rules so that a handful of big media companies can swallow up even more local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.

This hearing is a rare chance to participate directly in creating media policies that serve your community. Make your voice heard -- Join us on September 20!

FreePress.net's Josh Stearns is the Campaign Coordinator for this event. Email him at jstearns@freepress.net
Join the Facebook community to help engage the greater Chicago community and have a large presence at the hearing.

WHAT DO I SAY?

The goal of this town meeting is to gather information and foster discussion about whether further consolidation of broadcast media ownership will be harmful to local communities.  Please provide testimony from your
experience. Let the FCC Commissioners know how well local TV and radio are serving your community — and
what might happen if large national media conglomerates were allowed to own even more local media outlets. 

As member of the community, do you feel your needs are being met by local TV and radio stations?
•  Do local TV and radio inform you of what’s going on in your area? 
•  Do you see and hear your neighbors and community leaders on TV and radio? 
•  Do the local media accurately represent the diversity of your community?
•  Are TV and radio stations responsive to your interests and needs? Is there dialogue between station 
    programmers and community members?

As a voter, do you feel your needs are being met? 
•  Do all local TV and radio stations provide quality information on key political issues? 
•  Do they report fairly and accurately on political issues, or do they seem biased?
•  Do you get sufficient information on political candidates (including candidates for state offices, city council, 
    school board, selectmen and other local seats)?
•  Do TV and radio ignore or gloss over state and local politics? Are certain controversial issues ignored?

How have your media changed over time? 
•  Are you seeing less local content, less substantive news, more sensationalism, commercialism, or more 
    standardized programming?

Are local media outlets conducting deceiving or illegal practices?
•  Has a radio station accepted gifts or money in exchange for playing certain music (known as “payola”)?
•  Has a TV station played government-produced “Video News Releases” without disclosing their source?

Does one company own multiple media outlets in your community?
•  Do you feel that the quality of information or diversity of viewpoints has suffered as a result?
•  Do you notice a similarity in viewpoints or in news programming among those outlets that are owned by the 
    same company?  

• If you are part of an organization trying to get coverage, is your issue getting the attention it deserves?

• If you are you a politician or campaign worker, do you get substantive coverage of your campaign issues?
• If you are (or were) a reporter, have you felt pressure to avoid reporting on certain issues?
• If you are a local musician, are you able to get your music played on local stations?
• What do you think would happen if big media conglomerates were allowed to own even more local outlets?

 
Some important things to remember about your testimony before the FCC:
•   To make sure everyone gets a chance to speak, keep your comments to two minutes or less.
•   Tell stories from your experience and give specific examples where you can.
•   Write out your statement beforehand – you’ll be more likely to remember important points, and it will ensure your  testimony is correctly entered into the record.