How FCC Decisions on Media Ownership Will Impact People of Color and Minority Ownership

Free Press Invites You to Attend a Luncheon Briefing on

Date: Nov. 1, 2007

Time: 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.

Location: B-369 Rayburn HOB

Lunch will be served

The Federal Communications Commission is currently in the last stages of considering whether to allow further consolidation of local media markets throughout the country by relaxing our nation’s broadcast ownership rules.

Many civil rights groups and congressional leaders, however, have called on the FCC to first address the issue of minority ownership before moving forward with any new rules.

Currently, people of color own just 7 percent of our nation's broadcast stations even though they make up close to 35 percent of the U.S. population. And independent studies show that consolidation reduces the number of minority owners.

The panel will discuss the latest developments at the FCC and in Congress regarding changes to our nation’s broadcast ownership rules and efforts to increase minority ownership.

Panelists:

Ivan Roman, Executive Director, National Association of Hispanic Journalists

Derek Turner, Research Director, Free Press

Lisa Fager Bediako, President, Industry Ears

Leonard M. Baynes, Professor of Law and Inaugural Director, The Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development, St. John's University

Parul Desai, Assistant Director, Media Access Project

Joseph Torres, Government Relations Manager, Free Press (moderator)

Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications.

Spaces are limited. To register, please visit http://action.freepress.net/freepress/events/ownership/register.tcl or RSVP to jtorres@freepress.net or at 202.265.1490, Ext. 27