What do we want? Media reform. And when do we want it? Now. As in, now that we have a champion of media reform headed to the White House.
Along the campaign trail, in recent speeches, and in his technology agenda, President-elect Barack Obama has made big promises on media and technology issues. We finally have an opportunity to see real change in our media landscape – from diversity in our news to safeguarding Net Neutrality.
At any moment, Obama will announce his pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission, and we hope he chooses someone that shares his commitment to the public interest. Today, we sent a letter to Obama – signed by over 100 individuals and organizations, representing millions of people – urging him to choose a candidate who will embrace and enact the policy proposals he’s already outlined.
Some of the people and organizations who are stepping up to support the Obama media agenda include members of Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and My Morning Jacket as well as organizations like SEIU, NOW, DailyKos, the Hip Hop Caucus and hundreds more.
The letter includes six of Obama’s best quotes on media reform to remind him that his words have not fallen on deaf ears; we’ve been listening, and now we’re watching to make sure these promises aren’t hollow.
What did Obama say? Enough to bring a tear to the eye of any media reformer battered during the last administration. Here are the choicest sound bytes:
Protecting an Open Internet: To “take a backseat to no one in my commitment to Net Neutrality” and “protect the Internet’s traditional openness to innovation and creativity and ensure that it remains a platform for free speech and innovation that will benefit consumers and our democracy.”
Promoting Universal, Affordable Broadband: To see that “in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online” by bringing “true broadband to every community in America.”
Diversifying Media Ownership: To create “the diverse media environment that federal law requires and the country deserves.”
Renewing Public Media: To foster “the next generation of public media,” and “support the transition of existing public broadcasting entities and help renew their founding vision in the digital world.”
Spurring Economic Growth: To “strengthen America’s competitiveness in the world” and leverage technology “to grow the economy, create jobs, and solve our country’s most pressing problems.”
Ensuring Open Government: To reverse “policies that favor the few against the public interest,” close “the revolving door between government and industry,” and achieve “a new level of transparency, accountability and participation for America’s citizens.”
Obama has already made the call to create a more vibrant, diverse and democratic media system and to deliver the benefits of the open Internet and new technology to all Americans. Now he simply has to appoint someone at the FCC who will carry out his mandate.