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Grassroots Groups Tell FCC: Stop Hate Radio!
At 3:00 PM on Sunday June 28, the Hispanic/Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition, Media Alliance, and California Common Cause will mount a picket outside the San Francisco premiere of Broadcast Blues at the Victoria Theater at 16th and Mission. The message is clear: Tell the FCC to schedule hearings on hate radio. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal agency which oversees broadcasters.
Grassroots Groups Tell FCC: Stop Hate Radio!
At 3:00 PM on Sunday June 28, the Hispanic/Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition, Media Alliance, and California Common Cause will mount a rally outside the San Francisco premiere of Broadcast Blues at the Victoria Theater at 16th and Mission. The message is clear: Tell the FCC to schedule hearings on hate radio. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal agency which oversees broadcasters.
"A recent LCCR study shows a correlation between hate radio and hate crimes. We are demanding the FCC listen to the public about this crucial public interest problem," says Dr. Marcos Gutierrez, radio host and director of Hecho en California Radio.
Tracy Rosenberg of Media Alliance says, "How is in the public interest to call other human beings …vermin? If I were a regulator whose job was to rent out the nation's communication space, I'd look into that. That's what we're asking the FCC to do."
"Common Cause is concerned when a few corporations own our media resulting in less local programming and fewer viewpoints being broadcast. More alarming, we are hearing more 'hate speech' including broadcasters spreading misinformation, stereotyping, and fostering violence against certain people or groups," notes California Common Cause staffer Emily Pears.
Broadcasters say they have the right to exercise Free Speech, but Broadcast Blues director Sue Wilson challenges that assertion. "There is free speech, and there is radio speech. The two are not the same. When the radio dial is opened up to all points of view, radio speech will be free. Until then, it is owned and operated for a political agenda. That must change." Broadcast Blues reminds us that we the people own the airwaves, and that we do have the power to hold stations and the FCC accountable.
The picket will be held at the Victoria Theater, 2961 16th Street, San Francisco, at the 16th St. BART station. The screening of Broadcast Blues will follow at 4PM.
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At 3:00 PM on Sunday June 28, the Hispanic/Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition, Media Alliance, and California Common Cause will mount a rally outside the San Francisco premiere of Broadcast Blues at the Victoria Theater at 16th and Mission. The message is clear: Tell the FCC to schedule hearings on hate radio. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal agency which oversees broadcasters.
"A recent LCCR study shows a correlation between hate radio and hate crimes. We are demanding the FCC listen to the public about this crucial public interest problem," says Dr. Marcos Gutierrez, radio host and director of Hecho en California Radio.
Tracy Rosenberg of Media Alliance says, "How is in the public interest to call other human beings …vermin? If I were a regulator whose job was to rent out the nation's communication space, I'd look into that. That's what we're asking the FCC to do."
"Common Cause is concerned when a few corporations own our media resulting in less local programming and fewer viewpoints being broadcast. More alarming, we are hearing more 'hate speech' including broadcasters spreading misinformation, stereotyping, and fostering violence against certain people or groups," notes California Common Cause staffer Emily Pears.
Broadcasters say they have the right to exercise Free Speech, but Broadcast Blues director Sue Wilson challenges that assertion. "There is free speech, and there is radio speech. The two are not the same. When the radio dial is opened up to all points of view, radio speech will be free. Until then, it is owned and operated for a political agenda. That must change." Broadcast Blues reminds us that we the people own the airwaves, and that we do have the power to hold stations and the FCC accountable.
The picket will be held at the Victoria Theater, 2961 16th Street, San Francisco, at the 16th St. BART station. The screening of Broadcast Blues will follow at 4PM.
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Hate speech is totally irresponsible and harmful to our society and the individuals who are its target. I applaude people for speaking out against it. I have done so and will continue to do so. If I had been in town I would have attended the movie and joined the rally.
I do think that asking the FCC or Congress to restrict speech of any kind opens a giant can of worms. Who will decide what is out of bounds, the Court that gave Bush the 2000 election 5-4? The Court that ruled that Prop 8 is not a denial of basic rights? The FCC/Congress that allowed the media monopolies and got rid of the Fairness Doctrine?
In the history of the US I can not think of a time when any curtailment of basic freedoms was not primarily used to attack progressive folks. Will they decide that calling David Duke a "racist" or Dick Chaney a "mass murder" is hate speech? Always be carefull about what you ask for, you may get it, and in the wrong hands any restrictions of basic rights, no matter how well intended, can be dangerous. Most of us are too young to remember Joseph Mc Carthy and yet we know from history how many lives he ruined.
I suggest that the sponsors of the hate speakers should be our targets for public presure, along with their station managers and owners.
Richard Phelps, former AM & FM radio announcer and former Chair of the KPFA LSB
I do think that asking the FCC or Congress to restrict speech of any kind opens a giant can of worms. Who will decide what is out of bounds, the Court that gave Bush the 2000 election 5-4? The Court that ruled that Prop 8 is not a denial of basic rights? The FCC/Congress that allowed the media monopolies and got rid of the Fairness Doctrine?
In the history of the US I can not think of a time when any curtailment of basic freedoms was not primarily used to attack progressive folks. Will they decide that calling David Duke a "racist" or Dick Chaney a "mass murder" is hate speech? Always be carefull about what you ask for, you may get it, and in the wrong hands any restrictions of basic rights, no matter how well intended, can be dangerous. Most of us are too young to remember Joseph Mc Carthy and yet we know from history how many lives he ruined.
I suggest that the sponsors of the hate speakers should be our targets for public presure, along with their station managers and owners.
Richard Phelps, former AM & FM radio announcer and former Chair of the KPFA LSB
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