Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2003 07:51:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: belmonte@MIT.EDU (Matthew Belmonte)
To: senator@kennedy.senate.gov
Subject: reinstate limits on media conglomerates

Dear Senator Kennedy

As you know, on Monday the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 along
party lines to relax restrictions on media ownership.  With the FCC having
abdicated its responsibility to protect American media from homogenisation, it
now falls to Congress to reverse the FCC's decision legislatively.  I hope that
you'll support such a move.  While I do in general support free markets, in the
special case of broadcast media economic concern for free markets must be
balanced with political concern for the free exchange of ideas.

As has been made abundantly clear by the situation in Iraq, for example,
homogeneity of ideas is anathema to democracy.  The fact that so many Americans
get their information from the likes of the Fox News Channel is what has
allowed George Bush's foreign policy to be sold to the American public so
easily and uncritically.  When I was heckled by a construction worker at the
anti-war demonstration in New York this past February, one of the things that
he yelled at me was `Educate yourself!  Watch some television!'  The irony was
palpable.

Again, I hope that Congress will act to reinstate the restrictions on media
ownership that the FCC has just abrogated.  If anything, these limits should
be made stronger, not weaker.  I look forward to hearing your views on this
important issue.

Regards

Matthew Belmonte
[address]