CHICAGO MEDIA ACTION ELECTRONIC UPDATE: August 3, 2003 http://www.chicagomediaaction.org Because of a technical glitch, the August 2003 Chicago Media Action newsletter was sent with the incorrect subject line "Chicago Media Action Emergency Alert: July 7, 2003". The subject line should have read "Chicago Media Action Newsletter: August 1, 2003". We apologize for the error and for any confusion. We would also like to take this opportunity bring to your attention an update from Capitol Hill as well as two additional announcements, one concerning a film that CMA is co-sponsoring, and another alert regarding the National Conference for Media Reform in Wisconsin this November. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** AN EXCERPT FROM THE 7/28 CAPITOL HILL UPDATE FROM FREE PRESS (http://www.mediareform.net/washington.php) Congress has now gone into recess for the month of August. No changes are expected in the battle over the FCC rules until legislators reconvene in September [it has been reported that the battle may resume in the first week of September]. This is where things stand now. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The CJS appropriations bill passed out of the House without incident by a margin of 400-21. The rollback of the national 35% ownership cap is safely out and in the bill, and the strong show of support for Hinchey-Price [rolling back the broadcast-newspaper cross ownership change] has strengthened the resolve of Senators planning their own CJS appropriations bill for September. Republican opponents have vowed to try and strip the rollback from the bill in conference or call on a Presidential veto to block the measure. Increasingly, most observers do not place much credibility in the possibility of a veto in the teeth of overwhelming public support and Congressional approval. Meanwhile, efforts continue to move legislation through normal channels outside the appropriations process. This is vital because of course appropriations riders would only block rules for one fiscal year and set up a similar fight again next summer. Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Billy Tauzin still looks like an impassable obstacle, but efforts nonetheless continue. The Burr-Dingell bill in the House now has 176 cosponsors [41% of the Representatives]. The comprehensive Sanders bill has 97. SENATE In the Senate, possibilities for passing repeal legislation are much stronger. The Stevens-Hollings bill, with 44 cosponsors, now appears poised for a potential floor vote in the fall, if Senator Frist brings it up in the schedule. In addition, the bipartisan group of Senators who have introduced the Resolution of Disapproval that would nullify the June 2nd decisions is also set to move ahead. The resolution does not require committee approval and could be forced onto the floor through a special expediting process built into this type of legislation. All of these vehicles will be brought to bear during the fall session. In the meantime, everyone will be jockeying for position, testing the waters for the coming fight. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Chicago Media Action is co-sponsoring two presentations of the noted film "Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Death." Download a color PDF flyer for the event at: http://www.chicagomediaaction.org/pdffiles/AfghanMassacreflyer.pdf Details about the film and the showings follow below. ================== Date: Thursday August 14th Event: film "Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Death" Description: This is the documentary the pentagon (and PBS) did not want you to see. After the fall of Konduz in late 2001, Afghan POWs were packed into metal shipping containers by U.S.- allied troops and driven through the desert for up to four days, with no air, food or water. A grotesque mass killing of an estimated 2-3,000 resulted, the bodies dumped into large, bulldozed pits. Why have official international investigations been stymied and what has been the U.S. role? Guest speaker - John Heffernan, Senior Communications Associate Physicians for Human Rights - PHR was co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize and discovered the mass graves. Open to the public/$7 donation suggested. Starts: 7PM Where: Skokie Public Library 5215 Oakton St. Skokie Sponsors: Chicago Media Action, Chicago Filmmakers, Not In Our Name Directions: 847-673-7774 Contact: cma@chicagomediaaction.org ================== Date: Friday August 15th Event: film "Afghan Massacre: Convoy of Death" Description: This is the documentary the pentagon (and PBS) did not want you to see. See description for Thursday August 14th program at Skokie Public Library above. Starts: 8PM Where: Columbia College, Ferguson Theater 600 S. Michigan (2 bl. E of Harrison red line stop) Sponsors: Chicago Media Action, Chicago Filmmakers, Not In Our Name Contact: cma@chicagomediaaction.org *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Dear Colleague, This November 7th through 9th in Madison, Wisconsin, Free Press will host the National Conference on Media Reform, a watershed forum on how to build a better media system in local communities, in Washington, and across the nation. I hope you'll be able to come. Interested? You can sign up now at: http://www.mediareform.net/conference Please forward this notice to everyone you know who is concerned about media. I recommend you sign up now, as space is limited. If you register before September 7, the conference fee is reduced. Reduced registration fees and scholarship applications are also available for students and lower-income people. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** This is an email update from Chicago Media Action, a Chicago activist group devoted to media issues. Chicago Media Action, P.O. Box 14140, Chicago IL 60614-0140 Call toll-free 1-866-260-7198. Web: www.chicagomediaaction.org; email: cma@chicagomediaaction.org To unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply send an email requesting removal to mailinglist@chicagomediaaction.org