valja29 november 2007 – 10:28

If FCC Chairman Martin gets his way, on December 18 -- just 21 days from now -- he will allow the largest media companies to get even bigger.

We're working 24/7 to stop him. To succeed, we need your help to reach a pivotal fundraising goal by this Friday. A fellow Free Press Action Fund donor has offered to match your contribution dollar-for-dollar. That's how serious a fight we're in right now.

Martin is orchestrating a massive giveaway to Big Media. His proposed new rules would allow huge media companies to own daily newspapers and radio or TV stations in the same market. That's a slap in the face to some 99% of Americans who oppose Big Media having more control over local news and information.

That's why your special support today is so crucial.

Stop Big Media:
Support the Free Press Action Fund

With the help of loyal supporters like you, Free Press Action Fund has already won two important victories in our campaign to put the brakes on Martin's proposal:

Congress has agreed to summon Martin and his fellow FCC commissioners to Capitol Hill for hearings on the proposed rule change. This will be a critical opportunity to shine a public spotlight on this backroom deal.

We've rallied support for the Media Ownership Act of 2007 (S.2332) -- crucial legislation that would force Martin to slow down his timetable; give the public more time to comment; and address the negative impact of more media consolidation on minority ownership and localism. (The Act's bipartisan supporters include Senators Biden, Clinton, Dorgan, Feingold, Lott, Obama and Snowe, just to name a few.)
These are big victories, but our job is far from finished. We need to maximize the impact of the congressional hearings, then pass the Media Ownership Act -- all in the next few weeks. To succeed, it's essential that we reach our goal of raising $25,000 by this Friday.

Hundreds of our supporters have already contributed. And one has promised to match your contribution today dollar-for-dollar. Will you help us get to the full $25,000 by making a contribution today?

Your funds will help us:

Build massive support for the Media Ownership Act of 2007. The more support for this bill, the more likely we can stop Martin's outrageous Big Media giveaway. We'll get the facts out to members of Congress, key allies and the public about why media consolidation is bad for America -- by distributing groundbreaking Free Press reports like Devil in the Details and Out of the Picture 2007 -- both released this week.
Ratchet-up our hugely effective grassroots mobilization, press outreach, online organizing and print advertising that enabled Free Press, our allies, and people like you to stop the FCC's last attempt to change the rules in 2003.

Keep the pressure on Congress to hold the FCC accountable. When Martin and his fellow commissioners face Congress in the coming days, they must be forced to explain why the FCC is ignoring the overwhelming majority of Americans who oppose handing more power to the largest media companies.
You know what's at stake: Big Media are bad news for America. Media consolidation is the root of the problem. The FCC's outrageous scheme to push through new rules by year's end is the epicenter of the media reform movement -- and we must stop them now.

That means we urgently need to contact newspaper editorial boards... launch e-mail blasts and viral videos... keep our crack team of lobbyists working hard in Washington... and more.

We're up against one of the largest special interests in Washington. But with even a tiny fraction of Big Media's six-figure monthly lobbying budget, we know we can win. We did it in 2003, and with your support we'll do it again in 2007.

Stop Big Media:
Support the Free Press Action Fund

With your help today, we'll stop the FCC. And remember, your contribution of $50, $75, $125 or even more will be matched -- dollar for dollar -- by a fellow Free Press Action Fund donor. Please give as generously as your means and passion allow.

Thank you for your continued efforts!

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

P.S. Big Media has vast resources. Free Press Action Fund can push back -- effectively -- with your immediate, loyal and generous support. Help us raise $25,000 by Friday. Make your contribution today.