The WGAW issued this press release just now: "Writers Guild West and Screen Actors Guild Come Together in Support of “The Media Ownership Act of 2007”
LOS ANGELES – The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) today united in support of a bill that will provide for a more reasoned and thoughtful evaluation of any changes that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may make to critically important media ownership rules. The bipartisan legislation was introduced today by Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Trent Lott (R-MS).
"The Media Ownership Act of 2007" would create a 90-day window for the public to comment on any proposed media ownership rules put forward by the FCC. We feel that it is vital that the public be allowed ample opportunity to comment on media ownership decisions, a key issue of concern to members of the creative community and consumers.
The WGAW and SAG agree with statements made today by Senator Dorgan that “Diversity of media ownership is vital in a democracy.” We applaud Senator Dorgan’s comments on media ownership rulings that the bill “recognizes the importance of a wide range of media owners and local content, and requires a process that does not rush past those concerns to open the gates for even more consolidation of media ownership.”
The WGAW and SAG urge Congress to act on this bill, and we are hopeful that further media consolidation will be reviewed thoroughly to protect creative and independent content as well as consumers.
At the end of the day this strike is really about the monopoly of media ownership in this country. Never before has all public information been in the control of so few.
Comment by ReelBusy — November 8, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
I read a statement on the WGA site that said that 75% of all material written by the Writers Guild of America is bought by only FIVE companies. That’s a lot of power those buyers have.
Comment by lemur — November 14, 2007 @ 8:32 am