[to be crossposted to Washblog]
Gotta love this groan-worthy statement (in PDF format) from the Democratic FCC commissioners, Copps and Adelstein, regarding the upcoming FCC hearing in Seattle this Friday, which Republican Chairman only announced a mere five business days ago. It reads, in its entirety (emphasis mine):
JOINT STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONERS COPPS AND ADELSTEIN ON SEATTLE MEDIA OWNERSHIP HEARING
A hearing with only five days notice is no nirvana for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. This smells like mean spirit. Clearly, the rush is on to push media consolidation to a quick and ill-considered vote. It shows there is a preordained outcome. Pressure from the public and their elected representatives is ignored. With such short notice, many people will be shut out. We received notice of the hearing just moments before it was announced. This is outrageous and not how important media policy should be made.
Yup, that's on the official FCC site.
I've got to say, Chairman Martin seems to be getting exactly what he wants. He's thrown around so many possible dates for the Seattle hearing that when he throws in a real date, no one notices. But we need to have people there, and we need to be prepared.
Details about the meeting, from the FCC site (PDF format):
FCC Announces Public Hearing on Media Ownership in Seattle, Washington
The Federal Communications Commission today announced the sixth and final public hearing on media ownership issues will be held in Seattle, Washington on Friday, November 9, 2007.
The hearing time, and location are as follows:
Time: 4:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)
Location:
Town Hall Seattle
Great Hall
1119 Eighth Avenue (at Seneca Street)
Seattle, WA 98101
Town Hall Seattle
The purpose of the hearing is to fully involve the public in the process of the 2006 Quadrennial Broadcast Media Ownership Review that the Commission is currently conducting. This hearing is the sixth and final media ownership hearing the Commission intends to hold across the country. Previous FCC public hearings in the current review of media ownership
issues were held in Los Angeles, CA on October 3, 2006; Nashville, TN on December 11, 2006; and Harrisburg, PA on February 23, 2007; Tampa Bay, Florida on April 30, 2007; and Chicago, Illinois on September 20, 2007. The hearing is open to the public, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The hearing format will enable members of the public to participate via "open microphone."
For an idea of what "open microphone" really translates into, see my diary about the Portland, ME hearing on localism, Little Miss Sunshine at the FCC Hearing. Key point: get there early, prepare your remarks well in advance, and time yourself because the two minutes you're allotted need to be used very wisely.
ReclaimTheMedia.org, a Seattle-based organization, has an article about the hearing, which is especially valuable for the left sidebar, which tells about workshops to plan for the hearing (including several tonight (Tuesday) -- anyone ready for some last-minute education?).
Here's their list:
SEATTLE:
* Tues 11/6, 7:30-9:30pm at Hidmo (20th and S. Jackson)
* Tues 11/6, 7:30-9:30pm at Golden Gardens Bathhouse (8498 Seaview Pl. NW)
* Weds. 11/7, 6-8pm at Harry Thomas Community Center/Lee House, New Holly Neighborhood Campus (7315 39th Ave S.)
* Thurs 11/8, 3:30-5:30pm at the University of Washington (details TBD)
* Thurs 11/8, 7:30-9:30pm at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (17th and S. Jackson)
KENT:
* Tues 11/6, 7-9pm at Puget Sound Access, 22412 72nd Ave. S.
Also see Bill Moyers for inspiring video from the FCC hearing in Chicago, accompanied by excellent commentary.
To see a couple of diaries about Chairman Martin's attempt to shove media consolidation down our throats, consult this list for diaries on October 17, 18, and 19.
Any comments from people planning to attend the meeting would be especially welcome. Step up to the mic, folks!