Bully

Free Press, a left-leaning group that advocates media “diversity” and “quality journalism” has sent an open letter to President Obama begging him not to be bullied by Glenn Beck. The group, no fan of conservative talk on a good day, was apparently driven to such histrionics by anger over Beck’s role in whipping up opposition to White House Green Jobs Czar Van Jones, who resigned over the weekend.  Jones is a former Free Press board member.  The press release announcing the open letter said, in part:

“Beck has a First Amendment right to stoke prejudice, and we do not and will not support efforts to silence him. This is not about censorship; it’s about sanity. Our leaders have a responsibility to condemn fear mongering in all its forms, defend those who are unfairly attacked, and support a more diverse media system that provides alternative voices to the likes of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and other extremists.”

Read the Free Press letter here.  The press release is here.

Brian Jennings

Brian Jennings, the Paul Revere of the fight against government contol of talk radio, dropped Talk Frontier a note reinforcing our  concern about the growing influence of the media “reform” group Free Press:

“[Free Press is] not to be trusted.  In the book  (“Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio,” ) I transcribed a lengthy interview their Communications Director, Craig Aaron did on a California station.  Quote:  “I don’t support re-instating the Fairness Doctrine not because I don’t support the goals, but because it’s the wrong way to go about it.” 
 
This telegraphs to me there is a “right” way to go about it and that’s where we see localism, advisory boards, and Copps looking at shorter license renewal from eight to three years with “some pubic interest teeth”.  He has also stated when speaking at Free Press that the state of journalism, including mindless talk, is “undermining democracy”. 
 
So, government should determine what is in the public interest – not the public.  This is extremely dangerous thinking in a free society.  Wow.

According to press reports, the FCC’s analysis of  broadcast news focuses on a range of issues, including media consolidation, the business challenges facing traditional electronic media, and the rise of blogging and other “new media.”  Of special concern to talk radio: The still-secret report examines the “quality of journalism” and the role of “opinion journalism” in the broadcast media.

The FCC report was initiated by Commissioner Michael Copps, a long-time critic of broadcast news.  But the study also reflects the agenda of Free Press, which dislikes “opinion” radio and advocates an eat-your-spinach approach to news.  This is from their website:

“News outlets across the country have replaced real reporting with celebrity gossip, sports and weather. And instead of fulfilling their obligation to inform the public, the massive conglomerates that decide most of what we read, see and hear every day serve us junk news and mindless commentary that is cheap to produce.”

How much influence does Free Press have at the FCC?  A lot.  Copps is clearly a fan — he spoke at a recent FP gathering — and FCC ChairmanJulius Genachowski earlier this month tapped Free Press staffer Jen Lewis to serve as his personal press secretary.

The storm clouds continue to gather over the FCC…

Hmmm.  Wonder if she supports the FCC’s pending “localism” rules?