THE JUST MEDIA PROJECT
Who Owns the Media?
The short answer is, YOU. Well, at least that's how it's supposed to be. Since the Communications Act of 1934, United States corporate broadcasters have had free and exclusive rights to the public's airwaves. Their only obligation in exchange for this privilege - to "serve the public interest." In other words, when you turn on your TV or tune in to the radio, you should be able to find programming about the environment, political candidates, what's happening around the world AND what's happening in your neighborhood.
Unfortunately, the Federal Communications Commission has not done a very good job holding corporations to this obligation. Trying to find a story about toxic waste in your county is like trying to find a needle in a haystack 10 miles tall and 10 miles wide!
A big part of the problem is ownership. Who owns the market and how much do they own? The answer is shocking: Seven transnational corporations dominate the U.S. and global media and these seven corporations have many interests and investments, few of which have anything to do with the public good.
If your care about access to information and diverse opinions during this time of conflict, the time to act is now! Pick up your camera, vote, take action, collaborate for media reform.
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