The night the FCC came to town.....and Seattle and beyond rose up to greet them!

The night the FCC came to town.....and Seattle and beyond rose up to greet them!

Eyewitness report by Robin Carneen

11-10-07

Friday, November 9, 2007

4:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)

Town Hall Seattle
Great Hall
1119 Eighth Avenue (at Seneca Street)
Seattle, WA 98101

http://www.townhallseattle.org/greatHall.cfm

"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, FL, on April 30, 2007; and Chicago, IL, 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."

*The summaries listed in this notice are intended for the use of the public attending open Commission meetings. Information not summarized may also be considered at such meetings. Consequently these summaries should not be interpreted to limit the Commission's authority to consider any relevant information.



There will be two panels, each followed by a period for public comment.

Agenda and list of witnesses follows:
(All Times PST)

4:00 p.m. Welcome/Opening Remarks

4:30 p.m. Panel Discussion 1: Perspectives on Media Ownership

Mark Allen , President & CEO, Washington State Association of Broadcasters

Frank Blethen , Publisher/CEO, Seattle Times

John Carlson , Radio Talk Show Host, KVI-AM

Erubiel Valladares-Carranzo II, Technical Engineer, KPCN-LP 96.3 FM Radio Movimiento "La Voz del Pueblo"

Bernie Foster , Publisher, The Portland Skanner, The Seattle Skanner

Ray Heacox , General Manager, King Broadcasting Seattle

Elizabeth Blanks Hindman , Associate Professor, Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University

Diana Kramer , Vice President and General Manager, Puget Sound Publishing Company

Pamela S. Pearson , Vice President/General Manager, KCPQ/KMYQ-TV, Tribune Broadcasting Company

Jon Rand , General Manager, KAYU TV, Spokane, KCYU TV, Yakima, KFFX TV, Tri-Cities

Cheryl A. Salomone , Vice President and Market Manager, New Northwest Broadcasters – Tri Cities, WA

5:30 p.m. Public Comments

7:30 p.m. Break

(more)

8:00 p.m. Panel Discussion 2: Perspectives on Media Ownership

Abby Dylan, National Board Member, Screen Actors Guild Seattle

Bruce Fife , President, American Federation of Musicians, Local 99

Christina Romano Glaubke , Director, Children and the Media Program, Children Now

Joseph Orozco , Station Manager, KIDE 91.3 FM

Michelle Santosuosso , Former Vice President of Artist and Label Relations, Napster, Inc.


9:00 p.m. Public Comments

11:00 p.m. Wrap-Up/Adjournment

The moderator will be Louis Sigalos, Chief of the Consumer Affairs & Outreach Division, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC


A live audio cast of the hearing will be available at the FCC's website at www.fcc.gov on a first-come, first-served basis. The public may also file comments or other documents with the Commission and should reference docket number 06-121 when filing by paper or submit your filing electronically by going to http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi and enter proceeding number 06-121. Filing instructions are provided at http://www.fcc.gov/ownership/comments.html.

Sign language interpreters and open captioning will be provided for this event. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation needed, and include a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).

For additional information about the hearing, please visit the FCC's website at http://www.fcc.gov/ownership. Press inquiries should be directed to Mary Diamond at 202-418-2388 or to Clyde Ensslin at 202-418-0506.


-FCC-


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FCC testimony by Robin Carneen:( two minutes of excerpts of this was shared)


ah see um my name is Robin Carneen, I am a Swinomish tribal member from Washington State.

Welcome to Seattle and Salish Indian lands , many heard that the FCC was looking for relaxation...the corporate media interests immediately came to mind when I heard this.

I will tell you why this is a bad idea.

I see it as another tool of oppression for women, youth, and Native American people like myself & all who could not be here & who I represent today.

This includes many of my diverse listeners, who tune in to KSVR & NAMAPAHH First People's Radio, twice a week.

We have given them an alternative place to be heard on the airwaves. We have given them a face on Mother Earth that Corporate media does not.

I rarely see or hear of Corporate main stream media doing justice to Indigenous People, minority and grass roots people!

It's why I was driven to produce Native American multi media and stand side by side by all my committed brothers & sisters that are here today.

I often see Corporate media fostering untruths that are still told to this day about our people.

Outrageous stereotypical images that embarrass and often hurt us, keeping the old wounds open through ignorance & misconceptions, instead of encouraging healing & bridge building.

Native American, community & public radio stations that carry Indigenous programming offer counterpoints and re-educate those who have been brought up to believe & accept the Native American stereotypes .

We also reach out to those who lack compassion for what has happened to us for hundreds of years.

We do it on a shoe string budget for the most part, we are all pitching in, doing our part. It is a calling and a passion. Many of us are volunteers, using our own resources and means. Without big backing from Corporate Media, who are competing for the precious outlets that we currently do have for our communities and reservations.

It has been a gift and a privilege to share these thoughts with you today & I will tell you the "Indigenous Multi Media Movement" is growing strong and we our stretching our wings in this industry.

Through combined efforts, we are re-instilling Native pride and much needed healing not just for our people, but for those all across the Nation and World .

We need an indefinite place to to tell our own stories, speak our own minds, sing our own songs, report our own news by telling the world who we are and where we come from and make sure that history does not repeat itself again.

We are responsible to tell the truth. The children are listening.

FCC please dismiss this idea of Media Consolidation.

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I testified at last night's Federal Communications Commission hearing and we left at 11 pm (with Jerome, who was soooooooooooo AMAZING!!!!!!!!Fine example of hope for our future!!!!!!!!!).

I have to tell you that I was so empowered listening to everyone. I was nervous as hell too. Its one thing to be on a mic in a radio station, with the sanctuary of four walls & 100's of miles of being between you and the FCC physically. I follow their regulations and abide by them. But there is this sense of fear that someone might call in, curse, say something offense and they'll hear & we'll get fined if we don't hit the "bleep" button in time . We're not talking about a slap on the wrist, fine... the station could get its licensed pulled and the host can even be put in jail if it is bad enough!

But last night, I was not afraid to say it like it is and though I took the "putting you on Notice from Indian Country" there is alot more I wanted to say, during and after, but we each didn't get much time. Read on please!

....there were 281 people signed up to testify...to have their two minutes with the FCC .....I was number 26, Jerome was number 28...we left at 11pm and it was hard to tear ourselves away...speaker number 114 was on the floor, having their say...99% of the testimony was STRONGLY opposed to MEDIA CONSOLIDATION...it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jerome made me so proud....he lead the way for youth his age, along with a couple of 12 year old girls who were inspired by their own Dad who testified after them. I had this huge lump in my throat and the tears welling up and the cheers in the room! I looked around and said, THIS IS AMERICA...note though: where are our minorities????????? We were out numbered as "people of color", but unified regardless! We had five days notice. Considering the rudeness of that, there was strong representation in Seattle last night.

Even Governor Christine Gregoire showed up and lit up the room! Good for her. She said the room would have been overflowing it there was more notice...NO KIDDING! Even with the 100's who were there, the room was full and energized, people were waiting to get in.

She's got my vote for her appearance and for her stance on many issues that are so crucial, like our right to not have Corporate Media "shoved down our throats" as one speaker said.

Will they listen? How could they not!

I almost starting crying while I was testifying, because it hit me so hard right then and there, when I was on that FCC mic, how on the edge America is to losing their freedom of speech and what an impact and set back it would be if Media Consolidation were allowed....and how much POWER they (the FCC have). THE FCC NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING! And not contribute to the mindless, sick, corrupt babble that is constantly being pitched to us via Corporate Media entertainment and information: "You can have this, you can't have this" what a mind "F"(bleep!) all that is, huh? Pollution of the brain! It divides are Nation and world! Just park the kids in front of the TV, hope for the best and try to make ends meet, that was me as a single mom, until I turned the TV off one day! And started doing radio! And I often took my sons with me. They know about Alcatraz, they know about Cal Pines Corporation trying to conduct geothermal drilling in Sacred Sites at Medicine Lake, Leonard Peltier's serving two life sentences, NW Tribal Canoe Journeys, and what a Powwow is, and so much more!

Tyler had his first cameo interview this summer with a hip hop artist named "Big City" who he was really impressed with and took interest in. We were at Tulalip Tribes Reservation, covering the Mack and Zoe Strong Teamworks camp for a couple hundred Native youth. "Big City" is an inspirational Cristian Hip Hop artist. Seeing the instant connection they made, I backed off and geared Ty up with my headphones,mic and mini disc player and let him roll. His enthusiasm and willingness to do a radio piece on the spot like that, demonstrates that the Youth have a voice and want to use it and want other youth to hear. Its as simple as that. They are listening. They have a voice. I saw this in Jerome too and invited him to co-host with me one day after I saw him perform his rap song in La Conner when he was 19 years old.... and he never left, until the night he got his own show(The Massive Mix Session with DJ Defkawn).

I saw it with the Tulalip Youth Radio Club I helped create and establish last year. I ran into a couple of them when I stopped by Tulalip yesterday with Dennis Lane (another person I want to acknowledge and thank for all the media advocacy and work he does in Whatcom County). I told them where I was heading, they were intrigued. I will have to get a copy of some of the testimony and visit with them again, especially the numerous voices of the youth that spoke up last night! We have to pull them out of the Corporate Media muck and mire. They know what they want, we just have to give them a way to express themselves.Last night, they were pulling us out! They were heard loud and clear!

Last night, we all stood there together, as the face and voices of America and told Corporate Media to crawl back under the rock it crawled out of and reminded the FCC that there are real breathing and feeling humans on the other side of the TV screens, the radio, the newspapers, magazines and the Internet... which they were informed not everyone has access too! GO JEROME!

More kudos too!

Please read about Reclaim The Media, they were EXTREMELY organized and VERY instrumental in giving us a platform last night (and they feed us and had water for everyone too!)
...they should get a Noble Peace Prize minimum!

And as far as my my Native radio brother and friend General Manager Joe Orozco who flew in from KIDE radio station from Northern California-Hoopa Rez....he did FANTASTIC! A comment an observation was shared with me about Joe, after he testified on the panel before us all...."It seems like he was speaking for a lot of people".

He was. Countless Native Americans and 32 Native Stations, as a matter of fact. And he traveled a long way for those five crucial minutes. THAT is dedication. THAT is what THIS is all about, power to the people!

It was really good to see him!!!!!!!!!! He and his station should be nominated too, for some kind of recognition...for his lifetime of work alone; for his foresight and model of taking care of Mother Earth hooking up and running KIDE on Solar Power; for he, is wife Rhoby and their community giving National attention to the horrific an inexcusable Salmon Die Off!!!!!!!!!! THEY are THE sun-run radio station in California....WOW! He and I got our say on SCAN TV too! The FCC will hear the longer version of my truncated two minutes.

Have a GREAT weekend...we have an absolutely perfect weather day here today, clear, sunny....a surprise after a huge wind storm came through last night... metaphoric even....Cleansing for Mother Earth!
Its like She is saying, "Keep the media free and accessible for the people"

Today is a brand new day, do something with it, for tomorrow! Raise your voice, write letters to the FCC and your legislators, last night gave me GREAT hope!

Corporate Media, Seattle and beyond has told you to "Step Off" (again)....

da ha dwubs, (thanks Jonathan, Susan, Nate, Daniel & so many who organized us & thanks who all who showed up to testify & for those who gave us moral support far & wide!)

Here is some info that may help you take steps to get involve & acknowledge some folks you should know about:


www.reclaimthemedia.org

Group InfoName:
Reclaim the Media
Type:
Organizations - Non-Profit Organizations
Description:
Based in Seattle, Reclaim the Media is a small nonprofit organization dedicated to pursuing a more just society by transforming our media system and expanding the communications rights of ordinary people through grassroots organizing, education, networking and advocacy. We envision an authentic, just democracy characterized by media systems that inform and empower citizens, reflect our diverse cultures, and secure communications rights for everyone. We advocate for a free and diverse press, community access to communications tools and technology, and media policy that serves the public interest. Three broad themes guide our projects:

• We work to change media policy at the local and federal level, so that the structure of our media favors the public interest, rather than a powerful elite.
• We teach media literacy education because we all need to understand how news can be shaped by journalistic habits and by powerful commercial and political interests.
• We support community media because we cannot entrust our history, our cultures and our democracy to the consolidated media empires alone.
Contact InfoEmail:
info@reclaimthemedia.org
Website:
http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/
City/Town:
Seattle, WA

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KIDE Radio:

http://www.hoopa-nsn.gov/departments/kide.htm


KIDE- 91.3 Tribally Owned and Operated Community Radio
KIDE 91.3 FM

Click Here for the Programming Grid

KIDE is located behind Ray's Food Place in the Hoopa Valley Shopping Center off highway 96 in downtown Hoopa. Regular business hours are Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm.

PO Box 1220
Hoopa CA 95546
(530) 625.4245
kide@hoopa-nsn.gov

The mission of KIDE-FM is to promote and project the Hoopa Tribal culture. Our overall mission is to educate, to inform and to entertain our listening audience by providing public relation audio services for the
community, and by broadcasting local, regional and national programs and by sharing a diverse music format.

STAFF MEMBERS:
Joseph R. Orozco, Station Manager
Floriene McCovey, Traffic Control/producer announcer
Jay Renzulli, Music Director/announcer
Marian Mattz , Front Office/Traffic Assistant

VOLUNTEERS:
Dave Hamlin, Announcer/DJ
Annilea Norris, Announcer/DJ

Local Programs For "Q"
Manuel Warrior Sanchez
Dr. Richard Ricklefs
Rudy Breuning

"River Revolution Network"
Annilea Norris

"Speaking Out"
Kristi Shelloner

"Ed Info"
Michael Heminger

NATIONAL
AFFILIATIONS:
National Federation of Community Broadcasters, member station
American Indian Radio On Satellite, member station
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, member station
Pacific Radio Foundation Network, member station
Seven Rivers Radio Network, co-founding member
KQED-FM, Health Dialogue Series, participating station
Public Radio Satellite System, member station
Benton Foundation, Sound Partners recipient

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
"Native America Calling"
"Q"
"The River Revolution Network"
"Ed Info"
"Speaking Out"
"National Native News"
"The California Report"
, "Democracy Now!",
"The Hightower Report",
"Hoopa High Warrior Basketball, live",
"NPR Radio News",
"Pacific Time",
"CounterSpin"
"Alternative Radio",
"The Book Guys",
"This American Life",
"Earthsongs",
"PRI The World",
"NDN Country",
"The Indian Radio Club",

Public affairs programming, including tribal elections, Humboldt County elections; live remote coverage of local events.
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Jerome Edge(my nephew!!!!!!!) http://www.myspace.com/dangerous_def
www.ksvr.org Thursday nights 8:30-10PM PST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLLA AT YOUR BOY! ;) call in sometime : (360) 416-7000
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Governor Chris Gregoire:(Press release & testimony)

http://www.governor.wa.gov/

Office of Governor Chris Gregoire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 9, 2007
Contact: Governor's Office, 360-902-4136
Governor Gregoire Opposed to Concentration of Media Ownership

OLYMPIA – Governor Chris Gregoire today expressed her concern over concentration of media ownership through consolidation of the media. The remarks were made during testimony delivered today at a hearing held by the Federal Communications Commission in Seattle.

"I find it ironic that in an age with so many new ways for people to communicate – and so many ways to exercise the beauty of Democracy – we face the very real threat that these new ways will be controlled by a few," said Governor Gregoire. "Such concentration stifles creativity and content. It narrows perspectives available to each of us as citizens, and it is unhealthy in a society that rests on principles of equality and diversity."

As Attorney General, Governor Gregoire in 2002 sent a letter to the FCC expressing her alarm over the efforts of the FCC to accelerate the already rapid trend toward consolidation in the media.

STATE OF WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
P.O. Box 40002 · Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 · (360) 753-6780 · www.governor.wa.gov
I'm Chris Gregoire, Governor of the State of Washington. Thank you for coming to my state on this important topic.
Today, I urge you to take a broad public-interest view of the issues you are considering. These regulatory decisions are not solely matters of business interest.
I fervently believe the airwaves are public property. Owners who use them have a strong obligation to the rest of us to maintain that use in the public interest.
You last looked at this issue in 2002, and I wrote you, as Attorney General, with my deep concerns about the FCC's efforts to accelerate the already rapid trend toward consolidation in the media.
Those concerns are no less on my mind today.
As Governor, I continue to be opposed to further concentration of media ownership through consolidation of the media.
Such concentration stifles creativity and content.
It narrows perspectives available to each of us as citizens, and it is unhealthy in a society that rests on principles of equality and diversity.
I find it ironic that in an age with so many new ways for people to communicate – and so many ways to exercise the beauty of Democracy – we face the very real threat that these new ways will be controlled by a few.
Since 1995, there are 40 percent fewer TV-station owners due to consolidation.
Three media companies own all of our cable news networks, and two companies serve 40 percent of households getting cable TV.
Just one company now owns nearly 1,200 radio stations across the country. Before 1996, no company could own more than 40 stations nationwide.
And I'm not just talking about newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations.
Ownership of what we can hear, view and say is concentrating in key chokepoints such as Internet content and phone transmissions.

CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE
Governor
A handful of companies now dominate the top Internet news sites.
We need competition, not concentration.
We need diversity, vitality, and local perspectives. Democracy depends on a thriving market place of ideas.
It depends on a healthy menu of political discourse, culture, and arts.
Do we really want to concentrate control of this market place into the hands of a few?
I can tell you, I don't, and I don't believe Washingtonians do either.
What happens if a single owner doesn't like what is being said on TV or through the newspaper or Internet?
Will this owner engage in censorship?
That's the problem. The possibility of censorship makes people lose confidence that their voices will be heard.
We already have a problem with distrust in far too many of our major institutions in this country – we don't need media added to the list simply through consolidation.
If our means of communication is controlled by a few, what's to stop them from blocking our artists, musicians, grass-roots political organizations, and others from the doorways needed to reach their audiences?
How will the next great author get published?
How will the next great band be able to leave a garage in West Seattle for a worldwide audience?
How will photos, or video, documenting injustice be seen widely enough to spark a response?
This is a problem, both real and perceived.
Concentration of media ownership – in all its evolving forms – is a real problem.
It's a problem for me, and for Washingtonians, who live and work in creative, expressive and innovative communities from Spokane to Seattle, and Vancouver to Bellingham.
I ask you to ensure that our citizens have access to multiple sources of information and perspectives.
Thank you.
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FCC: http://www.fcc.gov/


About the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

Organization

The FCC is directed by five Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms, except when filling an unexpired term. The President designates one of the Commissioners to serve as Chairperson. Only three Commissioners may be members of the same political party. None of them can have a financial interest in any Commission-related business.

As the chief executive officer of the Commission, the Chairman delegates management and administrative responsibility to the Managing Director. The Commissioners supervise all FCC activities, delegating responsibilities to staff units and Bureaus.

Bureaus and Offices

The Commission staff is organized by function. There are seven operating Bureaus and ten Staff Offices. The Bureaus' responsibilities include: processing applications for licenses and other filings; analyzing complaints; conducting investigations; developing and implementing regulatory programs; and taking part in hearings. Our Offices provide support services. Even though the Bureaus and Offices have their individual functions, they regularly join forces and share expertise in addressing Commission issues.

Statements by FCC Commissioners who came to Seattle, WA on 11-9-07:

http://www.fcc.gov/seattle-copps.pdf

http://www.fcc.gov/seattle-adelstein.pdf

http://www.fcc.gov/seattle-tate.pdf

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B.I.G. C.I.T.Y. Music: http://www.myspace.com/grandeproductions
Band Website: bigcityhiphop.com
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