Change the Channels!

Around the country, broadcasters are using sneaky business deals and loopholes to evade the FCC’s media-ownership rules. This “covert consolidation” takes many forms, but the results are the same: Media companies pad their bottom lines by sacrificing local journalism, competition and diversity. The above video shows covert consolidation in action in Charleston, S.C.

As the FCC reviews its media-ownership rules, tell it that you won’t stand for photocopy journalism and junk news. Covert consolidation has to go. It’s time to change the channels.

Sign the Petition

Dear Chairman Genachowski and FCC Commissioners:

Please put an end to broadcasters’ abuse of the FCC’s media-ownership rules.

These rules are supposed to protect localism, diversity and competition on the public airwaves, but in almost 80 markets across the country — including five markets in South Carolina — these rules have been circumvented. Media companies have taken advantage of loopholes to covertly consolidate more than 200 stations, colluding rather than competing in order to cut costs.

As a result, communities like Charleston, S.C.  are getting less local news than ever before. When the exact same news airs on multiple stations, fewer stories are told, fewer viewpoints are presented and the public airwaves are wasted on copycat broadcasts. 

As you review the FCC’s ownership rules, please do what’s necessary to put an end to covert consolidation.

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