Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Response to the Federal Communications Commission’s Vote

WASHINGTON (Dec. 18, 2007) – Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow top newspapers to own a broadcast station in the same media market. Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, issued the following statement:

“It is an outrage that Chairman Martin continues the FCC’s shameful legacy of rewarding Big Media companies at the expense of communities of color and the public. The idea that the FCC is permitting further media consolidation without first addressing the appalling lack of media diversity is a slap in the face to the communities that have been excluded too long.

“Despite repeated requests from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and more than 20 civil rights organizations and congressional leaders, Chairman Martin has not only turned his back on the minority ownership crisis, he has placed its future in greater jeopardy. People of color make up 33 percent of our population but own just 3 percent of all broadcast TV stations – and research shows that the number of owners is plummeting at alarming levels. These new rules will mean fewer owners of our public airwaves, fewer ownership opportunities for people of color, and less news coverage of our communities and issues.”

“The FCC’s decision is even more troubling given Chairman Martin’s acknowledgement last week that consolidation makes it harder for people of color and women to own broadcast stations. That he would intentionally push through rules so obviously harmful to our media owners and our communities is a national disgrace – and a sign that the public process has been corrupted by corporate dollars. Once again, the broken process at the FCC has left too few owning too much at the expense of too many.”

Source: The Rainbow PUSH Coalition

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