FCC

A couple weeks ago, at the Hyde Park Art Center, I held a workshop about engaging audiences through self-publishing as a part of the Pedagogical Factory exhibition I've been involved in down there. We talked about how big media tends to operate, and then how to make zines, and then we made, I dunno, 7 or 8 of them? And then took them to the FCC hearing tonight in Chicago. Like this:

- I made 10-15 copies of each zine

- folded and cut them on the front steps of Rainbow/PUSH, which attracted quite a bit of attention from passersby, including

Pay-for-play is alive and well, even the FCC acknowledges, but that doesn't mean it's going to do much about it. On the table right now is a lame "consent decree" that both the FCC and the conglomerates (Clear Channel, Citadel, Entercom, CBS Radio) responsible for the demise of local, independent and diverse programming are set to sign: simply put, it's not enough. The agreement would apparently let broadcasters avoid admission of wrongdoing and doesn't include punishment for future payola abuses.

The Free Press has put out an action alert. Go here — http://action.freepress.net/campaign/payola2 — to sign a letter with the following statement: "I applaud the FCC for recognizing the importance of independent music and for working with the independent labels to increase its airtime. But the FCC must hold broadcasters accountable for past wrongdoing and send a strong message to stations tempted by pay-to-play arrangements in the future."