What do Pearl Jam and Tim McGraw have in common?
Some 30 recording artists have urged FCC Chairman Powell to grant Congress and the public a full opportunity to review proposed changes of media ownership rules before they are enacted.
“As artists, we recognize the important role that radio and other media play in the vitality of the American culture. It is outrageous that many citizens are not even aware these changes are being debated,” stated Eagles songwriter and recording artist Don Henley in a letter to the commission.
Henley, like Commissioner Michael Copps recently, lambasted TV networks for not covering the media ownership issue.
“The broadcast interests who clearly stand to benefit from further consolidation have seemingly absolved themselves of their responsibility to cover this proceeding as a news story. If this is the sort of biased coverage we get now, I can’t imagine what will pass as journalism in the next phase of our increasingly consolidated media future.”
Signing on to the letter were Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, John Doe, Don Henley, the Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers), Billy Joel, Lenny Kaye, Toby Keith, Ian MacKaye, Ray Manzarek, Ellis Marsalis Jr., Mya, Tim McGraw, Paul D. Miller, Sam Moore, Thurston Moore, Stevie Nicks, Joan Osborne, Van Dyke Parks, Pearl Jam, Sandy Pearlman, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Kevin Richardson, Patti Smith, Stephan Smith, Michael Stipe, Tom Waits, Jennifer Warnes, Saul Williams and Nancy Wilson.
Musicians Speak Out on Ownership
Musicians Speak Out on Ownership
