Alan Korn spoke at Thursday’s Clear Channel protest in San Francisco. Alan was Stephen Dunifer’s counsel in the Free Radio Berkeley case (Decision, Amicus Brief) that went on from 1994-2000 here in California.
Alan’s main point was that this fight will be far from over after Monday. Even if the vote takes place and we lose on its outcome, there are other actions we can take in the days and weeks and months to come to fight back against Clear Channel.
He also mentioned how contacting your representatives was still very important and that letters to Senator Barbara Boxer are particularly useful because she’s on the Commerce Committee.
Alan likened this situation to the 1920’s when people spoke out to protect the environment and brought the issue to the attention of the Federal Government. Cases where people had been arrested committing acts of civil disobedience had to work their way up through the courts before the First Amendment was actually recognized by the Supreme Court. (Can anyone help me find links on this?)
He also explained how citizens can file a “Petition to Deny” with the FCC against Clear Channel radio stations when their licenses are up for renewal. (KSJO in San Joses license is up this year, for example.)
Another thing that citizens can do at any Clear Channel station nationwide during 9-5 on any business day is to show up at their offices and demand to inspect their public files. Stations are supposed to keep certain records about meeting their public interest requirements. (More on this later!)
If stations are violating the rules by exceeding the number of stations allowed for a particular market, it’s apparently up to us to collect the proper documentation and inform the FCC about it. Clear Channel, for instance, owns 9 radio stations in San Francisco (only 8 are allowed per market) and 10 radio stations in San Diego, because it keeps two of them across the border in Tijuana.
Alan Korn – Highlights (Small – 7 MB)
Alan Korn – Complete (Small – 13 MB)
No Hi-res yet, coming soon…email me if you need this NOW.
Audio – Alan Korn – Complete (MP3 – 5 MB)
This work is dedicated to the
Public Domain. (Take it and run, baby!)
In the 1920’s, our country’s elected officials respected the ideals and values of Democracy enough to acknowledge the protests of the public.
Today, that is no longer the case. The public voice is completely ignored. The FCC vote being the most recent example this week. Each week, there is a new example of total disregard for the public interest by our elected officials. Wish I had an answer.
Tom
See moveon.org about ways of opposing the FCC deregulation. Also, where can I find out which channels Clear Channel owns in my area (Boston)? Many thanks!