National Conference for Media Reform focused on stopping Rupert Murdoch, Koch Brothers and ‘threats of media consolidation’
This weekend’s National Conference for Media Reform, the largest conference devoted to media, technology and democracy, dove into serious issues concerning the media delivery in America. Led by Craig Aaron, Free Press President and CEO, the convention discussed the future of the Internet and how large corporations are controlling the media.
Rupert Murdoch and media consolidation were surely a topic of discussion in Denver this weekend.
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Aaron spoke with Truth Out describing the convention as a way to discuss “the future of the Internet, the threats of media consolidation, how do we sustain and support public and community media, how is cultural change going to influence political change—all of these issues connecting here—and really bringing together the people who are doing this in local communities to meet with people in other communities who are also getting involved—really share strategy, share tips and get motivated and inspired for the difficult fights ahead.”
He was quick to point the focus at Fox owner Rupert Murdoch and the failed media consolidation.
“I think the thing we’ve seen is we know the results of going the path that Rupert Murdoch wants, and it’s been a complete disaster. Ten thousands of—tens of thousands of journalists have lost their jobs. We see companies getting bigger and bigger and bigger, so big that, like the Tribune Company, they topple over or fall under the weight of their own debt. We know that doesn’t work. So the idea that the FCC would clear the way for somebody like Rupert Murdoch, somebody being investigated for bribing foreign officials, somebody being investigated for all kinds of malfeasance, to clear the way for him to take over one of the biggest newspapers in the country is really an outrage.”
The perceived failures of the Obama administration and the empty promises of net neutrality were also discussed.
“The decisions made at the FCC in the next few years are going to shape the future of the media. They’re going to shape the future of the Internet for a generation. There are going to be major, difficult decisions. Genachowski has left a mess, in some ways, in terms of the FCC’s ability to protect consumers and advance the public interest. Whoever has this job is going to be really key to whether we can achieve the things that we’re going to be talking about at the National Conference for Media Reform.”
Check out the full interview here
