A call to action to stop the big media blank check

Got this in my email this morning from FreePress.net. I'll pass it on verbatim:

Dear Media Reformer,

Only 24 hours to stop Big Media from getting even Bigger! Call Your Senators

In less than 24 hours, the Federal Communications Commission plans to vote through rules that will let the largest media companies swallow up more local newspapers and TV stations.

If you care about the dismal state of the media, we need you to stop what you're doing and lend a hand.

We need to get at least 100 calls to every U.S. senator before 5:00 p.m. today asking them to pressure the FCC to delay tomorrow's vote. The Media Ownership Act of 2007 (S. 2332) is waiting for a vote on the Senate floor. Your call will make a real difference.

We have 24 hours to Stop Big Media. Call your Senators today.

Find Your Senators

Calling your senators is really easy and extremely effective in showing support for legislation. Here's what to say:

"I am calling to urge the Senator to support the Media Ownership Act of 2007 (S. 2332). This important legislation will stop the FCC's plan to further consolidate media across America. The FCC's plan will drown out the few remaining independent voices and create less local reporting and quality journalism. Thank you."

Tell Us About Your Calls

Letting media kingpins buy more newspapers and television stations will make our dismal media worse. 99% of Americans -- liberal and conservative -- are saying they don't want it to happen.

Just last week, senators from both parties berated FCC Chairman Kevin Martin about his big giveaway to Big Media. He didn't flinch. He is ignoring you and Congress, but together we can stop them.

We need 10,000 calls today. Urge your friends and neighbors to make the phones on Capitol Hill ring off the hook:

24 Hours to Stop Big Media:
Tell Your Friends.

Please make a call now. Stand up for local media, diverse perspectives, and quality journalism. Raise your voice.

Onward,

Alexandra Russell
Program Director
Free Press
www.freepress.net
www.stopbigmedia.com

P.S. Check out today's New York Times editorial about tomorrow's vote at the FCC.

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In a separate postscript, Senators John Kerry and Barack Obama put their feet down with FCC chairman Kevin Martin, threatening to pull the funding needed to implement the new regulations.

They said, "Specifically, we believe that moving forward with this change will have a direct and detrimental impact on the state of media diversity. Should you decide to move forward with this vote against the expressed bipartisan, bicameral intent of Congress, we will approach appropriations chairman [Robert] Byrd [D-W. Va.] with a request that funds be denied for the implementation of this rule."