Name: Sara Odette Battikh
Section: CAS 100A, Section 024
Date: 4//2010
Stop Media Consolidation
General Purpose: To persuade
Specific Purpose: To initiate Action
Main Idea: Media consolidation is undermining our news, democracy and entertainment, and there
are simple steps you can do to correct this issue.
I
Attention
A. At 1:30 on a cold January night, a train containing thousands of gallons of toxic ammonia
derailed in Minot, North Dakota. Town officials desperate to warn townspeople about the
poisonous white cloud, call their local radio stations, but no one answered. According to the New
York Times, 300 people were hospitalized, and pets and livestock were killed. Where were
Minot’s DJs on January 18th, 2002? (Media Ownership)
1. No one answered because they were no people working there, the songs played in Minot
were the same as those played around the Midwest by an auto Pilot. As it turns out, six of
the seven local radio stations were recently purchased by Clear Channel Communications
(Media Ownership).
B. Do you know why this is happening?
C. Media consolidation is undermining our democracy and silencing diverse voices, abandoning
quality journalism and eliminating local contents (StopBigMedia).
D. Today, I will talk you about the problem of media consolidation, and then I will encourage you to
take action against it.
II
Need: Lots of Media, Few Owners
A. Media Consolidation is the process in which few media providers are becoming bigger by
controlling more of our local media outlets (Hatch 854).
B. Media Consolidation limits our communications sources.
1. By 1980 there were more than 50 media companies. (Hatch 856). Today five major media
companies control almost all the information touching our world.
2. Times Warner, Disney, General Electric, News Corporation and Viacom, control more
than 80% of our TV programming. And, Clear Channel Communications Inc, controls
more than 1200 radio stations (Hatch 847).
3. Do you recognize these logos? They are part of your daily news and they are all owned
by News Corporation Inc… The other giants are the same.
C. Media Consolidation is an antidemocratic force in the United States
1. Most Americans do not know about media policy making in the US, crucial decisions are
make in private, and public participation is limited.
a. During political campaigns, candidates need money to support their ads,
wealthier people give this support and finally they tend to influence policies so
that it will be easier for them to control our media.
2. FCC commissioner, Jonathan Adelstein, stated that “Without a diverse, independent
media, citizen access to information crumbles, along with political and social
participation” (Labaton).
D. Media Consolidation limits local news
1. An average American spends over 5 hours a day watching TV” (Stelter) and more than
“77% of American adults listen to radio everyday” (Nielsen)
2. However, in order to make advertisers happy, celebrity gossips and other sensationalism
stories are presented, while our important stories about political, social and cultural
events are ignored. (FCC 3).
E. Media Consolidation prevents Minority Ownership
1. Most of the content we receive is homogeneous, making local perspectives to vanish and
causing few diversity in viewpoints.
a. In fact “white people own 76% of all the TV stations” (Flowers)
b. Racial or ethnic minorities own just 7.7 percent of all full-power commercial
broadcast radio stations, though they account for 33 percent of the U.S.
population (StopBigMedia). Holding less than 25% of jobs in this industry
since 2001 (PBS).
III
Satisfaction
A. Every college student should take action against media consolidation
B. We can take national and local actions to solve this problem
1. Nationally, communications professor should encourage them to join the community of
STOPBIGMEDIA.COM. This is an online social network that will keep you updated
with easy actions you can take to help media reform.
a. There is nothing a student can loss from becoming part of the network, it is
completely free and your privacy is always respected (FreePress 14).
b. And, it can be reachable from other common networks, such as Facebook and
MySpace.
C. Locally, Penn State’s directors can also help. Have you noticed how many TV sets are there on
the Hub and in the dining commons?
a. Penn State should prohibit their televisions programmers to air big media
stations, such as CNN or FOX, which are the ones always on. Instead, they
should air stations such as C-SPAN or Public Television (PBS), which are
“cable TV channels that focuses chiefly on public affairs such as Congressional
hearings and social issues”(Encarta) and has no government regulation.
b. By changing the TV programming at Penn State commons no one will be
affected. Students will still get news but on an unbiased way.
D. Similar actions worked before
a. StopBigMedia.com is part of Free Press network, which has been very efficient
acting against this issue. It “reported to the FCC that Comcast was interfering
with attempts by subscribers to share online files” (Associated Press). And it
has been so successfully that it achieved more than 2000 MySpace fans in just a
week (StopBigMedia).
b. It is a fact that Americans are getting benefits from watching C-SPAN. It was
reported that 51% of Americans voted during 2000 elections, from where 90%
were C-SPAN viewers (C-SPAN).
IV
Visualization
A. If you do not take action in this issue, your chances to live in a free democratic society are 1 in a
million.
1. There will be an incontrollable trend toward consolidation and vertical integration, that
make Media Giant to control everything from the initial production to the final
distribution of Media (StopBigMedia)
2. Do you remember the logos at the beginning? If consolidation continues at this growing
rate, in a few years we will have only 2 or 3 TV stations rather than the hundreds we
have today.
3. Media giants will control our government, making local views, minorities and diverse
voices to disappear.
4. There will be less sources of entertainment and no community affairs programming.
B. If you decide to take action you will make the effort and contribute with the media reform
1. It is possible that in the future, the FCC respond to activists and enforces laws over
Media corporations to guarantee us a free democratic society, news and entertainment.
2. You will have access to millions of news sources, local access to news, diverse
viewpoints, thousands of entertainment sources and community affairs programs.
3. Instead of many stations owned by the same giant, there will be thousands of stations
owned by many corporations and minorities groups.
4. Our country will be a better and democratic place to live.
V
Action
A. It’s your time to stand up for better media. Start doing easy things as:
1. Become a StopBigMedia activist by joining the page I wrote on these cards; also link it
to your facebook to spread the voice among your friends.
2. Sign up those two letters I just passed. One, I will send it to a Congressman Glenn
Thompson, representative of State College at Pennsylvania 5th District, to show the
concern of Penn State Students. The other one will be send to Damon Sims, vicepresident of students affairs at PSU, so that he knows that students want campus
televisions to be aired on C-SPAN or PBS rather than FOX or CNN.
3. Good advocates are well informed. You can learn more about media consolidation by
accessing freepress.net; it is free, easy and fast.
B. No one likes corrupted media outlets, and these are the best ways you can help to prevent them.
C. For the future of America democracy, journalism, and local entertainment, we should encourage
actions be taken. Otherwise, as I told you with the catastrophe of Minot at the beginning of my
speech “their nightmare may become our national reality” (Media Ownership)
D. Free Press activists said, “if we urge to change the rules we can change our media” (FCC 9).
E. We are able to change the media… We are Penn State!
Sources Cited
C-SPAN. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. <http://www.c-span.org/about/research/index.asp?code=NUMBERS>.
"C-Span." Encarta.msn.com. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. <http://www.encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861671058/cspan.html>.
Flowers, G.. "Media Ownership: Too Few Control Too Much. " Sacramento Observer 19 Jun 2008,Ethnic
NewsWatch (ENW), ProQuest. Web. 17 Feb. 2010.
Hatch, David. "Media Ownership." CQ Researcher 13.35 (2003): 845-868. CQ Researcher. Web. 17 Feb.
2010. <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2003101000>.
Labaton, Stephen. "F.C.C. Votes to Relax Rules Limiting Media Ownership." The New York Times.
Nytimes.com, 3 June 2003. Web. 02 Feb. 2010. <http://query.nytimes.com/search/ >.
"LOCAL NEWS - Women/Minorities in Media." PBS. Web. 13 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.pbs.org/wnet/insidelocalnews/behind_women.html>.
"MEDIA OWNERSHIP." Linux Public Broadcasting Network - LPBN.org :: Weaving the Spirit of Open
Source Throughout the Social Fabric. Web. 13 Apr. 2010. <http://www.lpbn.org/300.htm>.
"Media Policy 101." FreePress.net. Free Press. Web. 3 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.filmsforaction.org/images/user/Files/GetInvolvedResource/Media_Policy_101.pdf>
"Nielsen: Radio Reaches 77% of Adults Daily | Benton Foundation." Benton Foundation | The Benton
Foundation works to ensure that media and telecommunications serve the public interest and
enhance our democracy. Benton.org, 3 Nov. 2009. Web. 16 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.benton.org/node/29398>.
Stelter, Brian. "In Americans? Daily Diet: Nearly Five Hours of Television." The New York Times.
Nytimes.com, 10 Nov. 2009. Web. 2 Feb. 2010. <http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com>.
StopBigMedia.com. Free Press. Web. 13 Apr. 2010. <http://www.stopbigmedia.com/>.
"The New York Times Log In." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. The
Associated Press, 06 Apr. 2010. Web. 13 Apr. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/search>
April 23, 2010
Glenn Thompson
124 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Thompson:
We are writing this letter to show you the concern of The Pennsylvania State University students in
relation with the problem of Media Consolidation. We signed up this letter to let you know that people of
our age are also aware of the problem and that we want the Congress to take action. We know it is not easy,
but there are a lot of things that can be done.
We encourage the Congress to make the FCC to reinstate the Cross Media Ownership Law, which will
limit broadcasters to own many stations in the same media outlet and which will reinstate the Fairness
Doctrine. Protests can be done to force the FCC to reestablish this law.
Please, make this letter get into the hands of communications supervisors and FCC representatives to show
them our concern. I assure you that as us, there are millions of other students that are also concern about this
issue, and if we put our effort, together we can make a difference for the future of our society. Tell them,
that what we are processing is to organize a marathon in Washington DC, in which activists and students
from all over the country will be able to go and present their views against the issue.
We would be most grateful if you would reply as soon as possible so that this matter can be resolved for
our country’s satisfaction.
Sincerely,
We Are… Penn State!
April 23, 2010
Damon Sims
Vice President for Students Affairs
206 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802
Dear Mr. Sims:
We are writing this letter to show you the concern of The Pennsylvania State University students in
relation with the problem of Media Consolidation. We signed up this letter to let you know that people of
our age are also aware of the problem and that we want Penn State to take action. We know it is not easy,
but there are a lot of things you can do.
What we are proposing is that Televisions sets in the HUB-Robeson center and in many dining commons
should be aired on stations such as C-SPAN or Public Television (PBS) instead of CNN or Fox News, which
are commonly on. This will assure other students to take news and information from an unbiased source
with no government intervention.
Please make this letter to get into the hands of televisions supervisors, so that they can know about the
concern. We are sure that there are hundreds of other students, who are also in favor of broadcasting more
independent stations, such as the ones mentioned before. We need to change the issue of media
consolidation, and this is a good way to start from our local community and university.
We would be most grateful if you would reply as soon as possible so that this matter can be resolved for
our university and country’s satisfaction.
Sincerely,
We Are... Penn State!
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.STOPBIGMEDIA.COM
*Free online network to fight
against media consolidation.
Link it your Facebook,
MySpace
and Twitter account.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.
WWW.FREEPRESS.NET
Learn more about media
consolidation and other related
issues.