Mentions of CMA in Chicago Daily Herald for 2003

Posted by Mitchell - January 6, 2004 (entry 127)

SUBURBAN LIVING
In the air
[ In the air ]
224 words
18 December 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
4
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning
Company. All rights reserved.
Remotely interesting: A&E's "Biography" dishes the real story behind Santa Claus at 7 p.m. today. ...The Warner Bros. network airs "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at 7 p.m. today on WGN Channel 9. "Eloise at Christmastime" moves to cable on ABC Family at 7 p.m. today. At the same time, Turner Classic Movies warms up "A Christmas Story" for its upcoming Christmas Day marathon. Trio presents "White Noise: The Pop Culture Roundup Year End Special" at 8 p.m. today. BBC America presents "The Office Christmas Party," with back-to-back episodes of the British workplace sitcom, at 8 p.m. today. End of the dial: The grassroots group Chicago Media Action plans to protest Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell's address to the Economic Club of Chicago at 6:45 p.m. today outside the Sheraton Hotel, 301 E. North Water St., downtown. CMA members will go caroling with holiday chestnuts like "I'm Dreaming of a White Media," to draw attention to Powell's efforts to increase corporate control of TV stations. Classical WFMT 98.7-FM simulcasts the WTTW Channel 11 "Network Chicago Presents" special "The Fantastic Symphony of Hector Berlioz" with Christoph Eschenbach and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at 9 p.m. today.
- Ted Cox
Document DHLD000020031220dzci00015

SUBURBAN LIVING
In the air
[ In the air ]
189 words
20 November 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
3
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.
Remotely interesting: Chicago Media Action is organizing a grassroots lobbying effort urging reforms at WTTW Channel 11. CMA is circulating a petition on the Internet calling for Channel 11 to remove CEO Dan Schmidt; conduct a government audit; implement a series of monthly town halls and documentaries, and implement an independent overseeing commission. Find the "Rapid Response" form at www.chicagomediaction.org . The Hallmark Channel has picked up "Magnum, p.i." effective with the new year. End of the dial: Pete McMurray is out as WLUP 97.9-FM morning host. "I see this as a chance to go elsewhere and develop my kind of morning show," he says. "I've done much more compelling radio than I've been allowed to do the past two years." McMurray previously worked at WCKG 105.9-FM. WKQX 101.1-FM afternoon host Sludge has a cameo in the new Xbox video game Project Gotham Racing 2. The game has a program that takes to the streets of Chicago, where Sludge is heard introducing songs and commenting on players' driving skills. - Ted Cox
Document DHLD000020031122dzbk00019

SUBURBAN LIVING
Hastert ignoring voters on cross-ownership
Ted Cox Daily Herald TV/Radio Columnist
855 words
14 October 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
3
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.
Dennis Hastert needs to hear from you, if only to remind him that, even as Speaker of the House, he should serve the interests of voters and not the Bush administration. The U.S. Senate voted 55-40 last month to roll back Federal Communications Commission "reforms" that would allow fewer big conglomerates to own more of the media. It did so with a "resolution of disapproval" in response to 3 million letters, e- mail messages and petitions sent to Congress and the FCC criticizing the moves. "Politicians, that's one thing they get," says Robert McChesney, communications professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. "This is not a game being played behind closed doors with lobbyists. Once we get people aware of it, the whole game changes. "All polling data show, the more people know about this issue, the more they oppose relaxing media ownership," he adds. "The policies of who controls the media, how big you let these companies get, do affect the journalism we get. There's a real link there, and the public has a right - in fact, a duty - to enact policies that further the important values the country was founded on." Yet Hastert says he has no plans to bring the Senate resolution to a vote in the House of Representatives, where Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas has pronounced it "dead on arrival." Why would they oppose an action supported by the vast majority of voters, and groups ranging from the National Organization for Women and Common Cause to the National Rifle Association and the Parents Television Council? Because it's the policy of President Bush and his FCC Chairman Michael Powell to reward longtime supporters like Clear Channel Communications and other big contributors among media conglomerates, McChesney says. So Hastert and DeLay are holding the line against the rollback. "Bush doesn't want to be put in the position of having to veto this," McChesney says. "If it somehow passed the House, and it were to come to him, he would have on one side the Tribune, Viacom, Rupert Murdoch, General Electric all saying, 'You've got to veto this,' and on the other side he's looking at poll numbers going down, and it's going to be out there that the first veto this guy does is for something the overwhelming majority of Americans across the political spectrum don't like. "That's why the pressure is on Dennis Hastert and Tom DeLay, to make sure this doesn't come to a vote in the House by any means necessary," McChesney says. "Bush is genuinely concerned this could contribute to him losing an election." And it's not just party politics. The Yorkville Republican Hastert also has an interest in getting good press from the Chicago Tribune, which has already shown its willingness to use its editorial page in its self-interest to argue for an end to the ban on cross-ownership between newspapers and TV and radio stations. "The Tribune has been as aggressive on this issue as anyone else," McChesney says. "Their business model is entirely based on getting rid of the cross-ownership ban. Cross-ownership is by far the single most important rule that's being relaxed. "Hastert, I think, clearly understands that it's in his interest that the Tribune look favorably on him personally," McChesney adds. "He's not going to go against the Tribune." Not unless voters make him. That's why McChesney's new group Free Press and many other grassroots organizations, like Chicago Media Action, are urging voters to call or write Hastert and let him know they want the Senate resolution put to a vote in the House. They're also calling on voters to reach their own U.S. representatives and ask them to request a vote. The Free Press Web site, at www.mediareform.net, has links to a petition and to congressional phone numbers. By the way, Hastert's number is (202) 225-0600. "We started Free Press with the idea that we would try to get more informed public opinion on media policy," McChesney says. "We envisioned it as a long-term project." Yet the FCC has focused debate and put groups like Free Press at the forefront. "Especially because this is not an issue that receives much news-media attention," McChesney points out. In nine months, Free Press has amassed an e-mail list of more than 15,000 voters who want to be contacted with news on media issues. It's an unconventional sideline for a university professor, but one that makes perfect sense. "You can only go so far with your critique," McChesney says. "Eventually, you've got to start talking to people and roll up your sleeves and get to work. "This isn't a left-right issue," he adds. "It's a big-money- versus-everyone-else issue."
- Ted Cox's column runs Tuesday and Thursday in Suburban Living, Friday in sports and Friday in Time out!
Document DHLD000020031017dzae000a9

SUBURBAN LIVING
In the air
[ In the air ]
190 words
7 October 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
4
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.
Remotely interesting: The local Emmy nominations are announced at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Andy's Jazz Club, 11 E. Hubbard, Chicago. The cost is $12 at the door, which includes two drinks and pizza. WFLD Channel 32 anchor Robin Robinson and WGN Channel 9 meteorologist Tom Skilling play host. The Emmys will be presented Dec. 1. A&E examines "The Case Against Kobe Bryant" at 9 p.m. Wednesday. ...Director Quentin Tarantino is programming many of the movies this week on Trio, including "The Cat Burglar at 8 p.m. Wednesday, followed by "Bus Riley's Back in Town" at 10. Tarantino provides commentary. End of the dial: Chicago Media Action is urging voters to call Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and urge him to allow a House vote on the resolution rolling back the ill-advised "reforms" in Federal Communications Commission ownership rules. Hastert has rejected a vote on the Senate move, for fear it would embarrass the Bush administration, which has backed the changes against overwhelming public oppositon. Call Hastert at (202) 225-0600.
- Ted Cox
Document DHLD000020031008dza7000ft

SUBURBAN LIVING
In the air
[ In the air ]
280 words
11 September 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
4
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.
Remotely interesting: Nesita Kwan will specialize as WMAQ Channel 5's medical reporter, in addition to remaining co-anchor of the 4:30 p.m. newscast alongside Marion Brooks. Zoraida Sambolin returns to anchoring the 11 a.m. news with Art Norman. Ellee Pai Hong joins the station Oct. 13 to become the anchor on the earlier morning newscasts. She comes from WFSB-TV in Hartford, Conn. ...CLTV "Good Eating" host Steve Dolinsky will contribute food and lifestyle reports to WLS Channel 7's 11 a.m. newscast, starting Oct. 6. Trio presents the controversial new movie "September 11" without commercials at 8 p.m. today. The film comprises a series of shorts thematically connected to the topic by directors including Sean Penn, Ken Loach and Claude Lelouch. Otherwise, the major broadcast networks have returned more or less to normal. The only Sept. 11 programming tonight is ABC's "Primetime Live" on the legacy of the attacks at 9 on WLS Channel 7. ...Chicago Media Action presents "Aftermath: Unanswered Questions From 9/11" by the Guerrilla News Network at 5:30 p.m. today at the Chicago Temple of the First United Methodist Church, 77 W. Washington, downtown. End of the dial: "Big" John Howell has returned to the morning show at country WUSN 99.5-FM after a short-lived exile to oldies WJMK 104.3-FM. Paul Harvey comes on early at 11:43 a.m. today on WGN 720-AM to get his newscast in ahead of the Cubs' game against the Montreal Expos in Puerto Rico. Steve Cochran fills in for John Williams after the game.
- Ted Cox
Document DHLD000020030912dz9b0000x

SUBURBAN LIVING
In the air
[ In the air ]
178 words
4 September 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
4
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.
Remotely interesting: "Monday Night Football" kicks off the NFL season with a special Thursday edition at 8 p.m. today on ABC's WLS Channel 7. A star-studded concert gets things going at 7 p.m. Jerry Lewis' annual Labor Day telethon raised more than $60 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this year. ...Earvin "Magic" Johnson visits "Chicago Tonight" to discuss a development project he has going in the south Loop at 7 on WTTW Channel 11. End of the dial: WGN 720-AM maintained its lead over WGCI 107.5- FM in monthly Arbitrends ratings released last month. WBBM 780-AM, WVAZ 102.7-FM and WNUA 95.5-FM followed, pushing WLS 890-AM out of the top five. Chicago Media Action plans to protest Federal Communications Commission ownership "reforms" that take effect at 5 p.m. today at Tribune Plaza, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The Tribune figures to profit from an end to the ban on newspapers owning TV and radio stations.
- Ted Cox
Document DHLD000020030906dz9400065

SUBURBAN LIVING
In the air
[ In the air ]
211 words
3 July 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
3
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.
Remotely interesting: Joe Thomas of HDReady says "Soundstage" is signed for at least two more seasons and a total of 36 episodes. Sheryl Crow and the teaming of Russell Crowe's 30 Odd Foot of Grunts with earlier actor-singer Kris Kristofferson are already set up, and Thomas also hopes to add hip-hop, gospel and blues acts to the mix. The Travel Channel warms up for the Fourth of July holiday with a special on the "Top Ten Patriotic Places" at 7 p.m. today. End of the dial: Three local grassroots media groups - Chicago Media Action, Chicago Indymedia and Redline Radio - are sponsoring a funds- and consciousness-raiser bash this weekend. "We the Media" is a "combination of party and participatory multimedia extravaganza," including the bands Tarnish, Monkeypox, Dirt Bikes and LOC. It's all ages, with a donation of $10 at the door, at Buddy, 1542 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. At the other end of the corporate spectrum, John Kay & Steppenwolf play oldies WJMK 104.3-FM's Summer Jam at the Lisle Eyes to the Skies Festival in Community Park, Route 53 and Short Street, at 8 p.m. today. Tickets are $8 at the gate.
- Ted Cox
Document DHLD000020030703dz7300095

SUBURBAN LIVING
TV & Radio
The FCC and media ownership: Where do we go from here?
Ted Cox
885 words
12 June 2003
Chicago Daily Herald
All
4
English
Copyright (c) 2003 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.
The difficult thing about the media-ownership deregulation measures passed by the Federal Communications Commission last week is that it's impossible to predict exactly what effect they will have on what we read, see and hear. The major media conglomerates maintain it will actually improve competition, as newspaper firms like The New York Times and the Tribune Co. move into TV. But critics contend that, with big media buying up the few available properties, independent voices will be driven out - one of the unintended consequences the 1996 Telecommunications "Reform" Act had on radio. Just as the deregulation of ownership limits in radio set off a real estate boom that saw major corporations like Clear Channel Communications scarf up stations, drive up prices and drive out independent owners, the same is sure to happen now with deep-pocket conglomerates bidding on a limited number of available TV stations, newspapers and cable services. "Radio is a very sick canary in the coal mine," said FCC Commissioner Jonathan Edelstein last week, "and we're about to infect television with the same disease." Whatever the unintended consequences, once the damage is done there will be no way to undo it. "How do you get the genie back in the bottle?" FCC Commissioner Michael Copps pondered at a Chicago forum on media ownership rules in April. "Well, you don't." But if you worry that increased conglomerate control will result in a sameness of viewpoints and milquetoast opinions -"If (TV) is the toaster with pictures," Adelstein said, quoting Reagan administration FCC Chairman Mark Fowler, "soon only Wonder Bread will pop out" - just look at the media already. When the FCC was considering media-ownership deregulation, the major media players declined to cover it, thinking it would only set off a grassroots movement against the very deregulation they sought. When the FCC passed deregulation last week, it was suddenly the top story in the world. Yet when Congress started debating efforts to roll back the FCC's actions, later in the week, it was back to being fringe news - a business story, not an important public-policy issue. Already, what the media do best and most is create an environment conducive to selling products. Driven by the profit motive, they tend to naturally filter out unpopular viewpoints, as when TV news consultant Frank Magid & Associates advised stations not to cover antiwar rallies, because they tended to prompt many viewers to change the channel. With corporate consolidation, the diversity of viewpoints can only get worse and more limited, and it's bad enough already. Just ask yourself these questions. Why can't independent-label musicians get played on corporate commercial radio? When was the last time you heard the anti- capitalist musical commentary of the Gang of Four played on a station? When people were asking why there weren't any antiwar songs, why didn't Sleater-Kinney's "Combat Rock" get played? Where is even the suggestion that there might be an alternative to running TV filled with commercials, with even so-called public television underwritten by corporate sponsors? In all the "liberal media," where is the commentary of a Marxist critic like Terry Eagleton or "Empire" author Michael Hardt? When was the last time you even heard the name of socialist reggae dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson? When a TV newscast has 35 minutes to cover world events, how can it make time for a spot on a local nightclub appearance by the women of "For Love or Money?" The media have no use for viewpoints that tend to undercut their power. That sameness of commentary only figures to get worse with fewer conglomerates owning the major media outlets and protecting their self-interests. Yet the worse the consequences are, the blander TV programming gets. The more the news concentrates on over-hyped stories like Laci Peterson over genuine public-policy issues, the more the Bush administration will be blamed, because it's George W. Bush, his Republican-majority FCC and Commerce Secretary Donald Evans who have presided over deregulation. The vast majority of Americans, across the political spectrum, oppose it. It has the potential to be for George W. Bush what the Pyrrhic Supreme Court victory of Clarence Thomas was for his father: the match that lights the kindling of backlash. "What's been astonishing in this incident is all these grassroots groups and artists getting together," said University of Illinois media professor Robert McChesney in the days leading up to the vote. "This is the first battle of a war that's about to be engaged. ...I think it's just the beginning. It's not going to go away." Chicago saw that just this week, when Chicago Media Action planned to protest FCC Chairman Michael Powell's keynote address at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association convention at McCormick Place. As Adelstein put it after the deal had gone down: "This is far from over. Congress may prove more responsive to the citizens who passionately plea for the independence and diversity of their media. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, this is not the end, or even the beginning of the end, but just the end of the beginning."
Document DHLD000020030620dz6c00013

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed on this website are those of the individual members of Chicago Media Action who authored them, and not necessarily those of the entire membership of Chicago Media Action, nor of Chicago Media Action as an organization.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.