FCC Chair Kevin Martin is trying to gut the few remaining media ownership regulations. Drastic media consolidation through ownership by giant corporations over the past decade has greatly diminished the broadcast licensees' performance of public interest obligations and broadcast media's ability to foster diversity, competition, and local sources of news, music, and entertainment programming. This critically affects our jobs, our lives, and our communities. As conglomerates combine media outlets across America, AFTRA members have seen:

• Decreased coverage of local issues and fewer editorial perspectives in news
• Fewer/less diverse opportunities for actors as the last remaining independent producers struggle to survive
• Homogenization and disappearance of radio formats
• Elimination of opportunities for airplay for recording artists

Take action now to stop this violation of our Constitutional rights. Tell Congress to keep the FCC from allowing more media consolidation. Call your your Senators and U.S. Representative today (see end of article)!

Join the effort to protect diversity of voices in the media:

• File comments as an individual citizen opposing further relaxation of media ownership regulations.
• Mobilize and educate friends, co-workers, and others about the effects of media consolidation.

Tell the FCC Your Media Consolidation Stories. AFTRA members know the effects of consolidation of media ownership on our jobs, our lives, and our communities. Now is your chance to tell your stories about what media consolidation is doing to you. AFTRA wants to include your information in our official filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has issued a new "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" on its media ownership rules. Contact www.aftra.com/mediaconsolidation for more information and to take immediate action.

HJR 79, TheJay Inslee Bill, which disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relating to broadcast media ownership, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on 3/13/2008:

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

Ask for your Congressperson (Dave Obey, Russ Feingold, Herb Kohl... and make your voice heard!)

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