Once again we have no full show recording for you this week. Just as we were about to capture the mp3, the KVRX computer rebooted itself. Seriously.
Free Speech Radio News headlines on Argentina, Peru, the death penalty, Basra, and more… Listen to the full FSRN newscast here. [
mp3]
Communities Across Country Organize Against FCC’s Attempt to Gut Media Regulations
We spent the bulk of the show critiquing FCC Chariman Kevin Martin’s bid to further gut media ownership rules in this country, allowing for greater media consolidation by the corporate media – with help from the Seattle community, which turned out in the hundreds on November 9 at a public hearing on the issue to give Martin a piece of their minds. I listened to the six-hour hearing and picked out these testimonies for their passion and insights.
- FCC Commissioner Michael Copps is one of just two on the commission opposed to deregulation. [mp3]
- The President of the University of Washington spoke eloquently on the impact of homogenized and non-local news on higher education. Can you imagine UT Pres. Powers doing the same? I can’t. He’s supporting a tuition increase against the wishes of students and seems to avoid the public as much as possible. [mp3]
- Regulating the media against further corporate consolidation is a bi-partisan issue. Here’s a Republican speaking to the Commission. [mp3]
- Gavin Dahl, who joined us on On the Fringe this past summer to talk about media policy and net neutrality, shared his views on the future of the Internet. Shout-out to Gavin, who wrote up his account of the hearing here. [mp3]
- Shanay, a Novah HS student who was also interviewed on On the Fringe last summer about her counter-recruitment work, spoke out against media consolidation. [mp3]
- More comments from a journalist whose local paper has been hurt by the corporatization of news. [mp3]
- And a hip-hop DJ. [mp3]
Austin-American Statesman Ignores Mass Student Protests of Tuition Hikes
Hart and I took Statesman reporter Ralph Haurwitz to task for his shallow and biased report on the support from UT’s “student leaders” for a massive 15% tuition increase over the next two years. Speaking of the corporate media, maybe if the Statesman wasn’t as intent on making money they could pay a thorough education reporter to actually come to the campus and interview some ordinary students, the overwhelming majority of which are opposed to tuition hikes at UT. See our past two shows for more coverage of this issue.
Community announcements:
- Vigil against the Hutto immigrant family prison this Sunday
- This Saturday at the Rhizome, a $5 donation for a bike caravan and community workshop in Mexico gets you in for a night of live music, featuring Amanada Kitchens, Wino Vino, Son Armondo, Kruds Cubensi, Buscando El Monte, and Antithesis! Show starts at 8pm.