Sounding the Alarm on Pearl Jam, Censorship, and Media Freedom
By Nicole Belle Saturday Aug 11, 2007 6:02pm
Download | play 
Download | play
At YearlyKos, I met FCC Commissioner Michael Copps. He's an amazing man, but he told us something very disturbing. He thinks that the signs are out there that the FCC is getting ready to loosen media ownership rules against the will of the public. They have already done this with the internet, and Congress has not acted to remedy the problem.
A few days ago, the problem because crystal clear. AT&T censored political speech over streaming video by Pearl Jam at a concert. This was overt censorship of political speech. With the flurry of outrage, it's increasingly clear that corporate control over our media system is not only a huge problem but a well-understood problem by the public. AT&T is trying to pass this off as a simple mistake, though there's no particular reason to trust what the company has to say, and Wired is reporting that the company may also have censored political speech by the Flaming Lips and the John Butler Trio. But whether this is a mistake or not is not really important. The question is whether there should be a gatekeeper in front of what we have the right to say. And the answer to that question is obviously no.
I'm going to reprint Michael Copps's full speech below. It's a clear warning of some important regulatory changes that are underway right now at the FCC. We're going to need millions to speak out on this. Read the speech here...
Login or Register to post comments.
What the GOP excerting media control? I am so schocked!
This strikes me as par for the course w/r/t the incestuous relationship between Big Corporation and Big Stoopid, but as a (bad) songwriter I find it terribly disturbing. Ailes can put estupido analysts up all he wants, tho' I wish they wouldn't pretend they're "news." But mic. cutting is for little men like Bill-O'Loofah.
Ergo, to quote Cartman ... "That ... is ... SOOO ... Weeeaaak."
I'm dumping my at&t cellphone account
Maybe the Democratic candidates need a question or two about this at their next "debate." That way, when Ralph Nader starts up with his "there's no difference between the two" nonsense again this election, we'll really know for sure.
What our corporate big brothers have been saying over the last several years:
Now it's:
Next it's:
Copps is the only - ONLY - FCC commissioner who makes sense. He hasn't been purchased by the corporations; and hopefully he never will be. He needs to be chairman of the FCC.
Perry Ferrell needs to find a new sponsor for next years Lollapalooza!
Dump At&T!
We need millions to speak up for more than this alone. Strike911.org is trying to organize a nation wide General Strike to protest everything that is wrong with this administration and the Dems/Reps that allow it all to happen.
This type of censorship is only going to get worse along with everything else. I know everyone is waiting for someone else to do something. Here is something that can be done collectively.
http://strike911.org
"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain
Which of you are the Patriots and which of you are the timid?
This type of censorship is only going to get worse along with everything else. I know everyone is waiting for someone else to do something. Here is something that can be done collectively.
http://strike911.org
"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain
Which of you are the Patriots and which of you are the timid?
I predict the Internet to be implicated in a terr*r plot which will give the fascists the excuse to severely curtail its free use. Technology is advancing to the point where commercial cable television as a news source is a laughing stock and the Net will handily replace it as a source for information- IN A BIG WAY! The Republofascists can't allow this to happen. Mark my words. The 9-11 of the Internet will end the Net as we know it. Then what will we do?
When this article was posted a couple of days ago on C&L, I immediately
wrote the Corporate Headquarters of AT&T and informed them that the
"excuse" used(accidental mistake) was not acceptable and that in my mind,
and others, this was a from of CENSORSHIP and they should be ashamed
and that I was seriously thinking about cancelling my services w/them.
The crowd sung pretty well.
The guy with the mike was flat.
ooopss sorry for the double post...WOrdpress froze.
#10 - Do a search on Net Neutrality for info on what they want to do to the internet.
Not much different then when Ed Sullivan's producers kept the cameras above Elvis's gyrating hips on his first big national TV appearance.
Ironic that Crooks posts about internet censorship when they deleted a post of mine just because they did not agree with the point of view.
[That certainly isn't the case-Sitemonitor]
Don't forget, Poop-squirt Murdoch owns Myspace too.
-GSD
FranklyFrank @ 10:
I think you are right on the money.
-GSD
dont you know that the media is liberal?
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
L.A. Confidential @ 14:
Except that the producers didn't 'accidentally' censor Elvis' hips. Plus, Elvis wasn't commenting on the Eisenhower (or was it Truman?) administration.
Bud @ 20:
Wouldn't want to offend the general public.
Yeahhh, I suppose - but to me you're talking sex (Elvis) vs. politics (Pearl Jam) and they're two different animals.
(but then again, this is the USA in 2007 we're talking about here...) :)
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Doggiebobo @ 11:
Seriously thinking about canceling your service? Hell! I dumped them the next morning. If all these telephone companies start doing this shit, I'll start using smoke signals as my long distance carrier.
I'll just paraphrase Randi Rhodes from the other day..."You're worried now cuz they're censoring your favorite bands...They've been spying on you snce before 9-11...Idiots".
drb @ 15:
That's because you're a moron. Duh.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
You should try posting it again to see what happens :)
I have been (censored) here at crooks and liars for being off topic.
Maybe Eddie Vedder was just off topic too!
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
It's time to fire up the biggest petition campaign this country has ever seen for congress and the FCC. The bad laws and regulations of the past must be repealed and there must be divestiture of assets. Longterm, the FCC must have all those who would prostitute the institution must be put on the street. As it stands today, the internet is the last functioning bastion of not only free speech, but also free press and freedom of assembly. Effective monopoly power over these rights has been handed to a few mega corporations who are all in collusionto exercise absolute control over information. When they achieve their final success, America is toast.
Johnny - GOOD RETORT!
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
sssshhhhhhh.......................their watching....
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
with so much riding on the next election...nothing surprises me anymore....But I will say this...C&L are alot more tolerant of opposing views than say....poli pundit.......if you go there and post honest facts and don't curse or insult(be prepared to get attacked and insulted like you've never been)and prove your point without doubt....it's gone in a matter of minutes....if not seconds...they simply will not tolerate a precise opposing view.
Brent @ 34:
hahahahaha..ohohohohoho,hehehehehehe...LOL....yeah rrrrrrrriiightttttttt
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Conservative sites NEVER censor opposition comments. They invite the debate, just like Conservative Talk Radio.
your own statement proves that your wrong.........as for deletion...read the comment policy....it's like a bar....they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.......I'm a Liberal...and I get deleted...usually for not being civil enough.
Pearl Jam sucks!
Censorship is only one of the problems. Other problems include the U.S. MSM simply not reporting what is happening in other parts of the world. The 'coalition' is continuing to meltdown: http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200708080383.html
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Dirty Hippie Blogger @ 38:
Projecting aren't you?
AT & T is bound to be one of the telecommunication companies that has been conducting illegal, warrantless wiretapping of U.S. citizens at the behest of the Bush administration.
They are one of the criminally-complicit U.S. companies who just tried to get their liability for their past criminal actions "forgiven" in the just-passed Protect America Act.
Just like the previous rubber-stamp Republican Congress, these AT & T executives have sold-out to the worst and most corrupt administration in American history.
So, no one should be surprised that AT & T would censor any dissenting voice of anyone challenging their masters in the White House and at the Republican National Committee.
Brent @ 40:
First, why not try saying right now what you claim to have been censored about and second, when your done telling us your sad, sad tale why not move along to RightWingNews, they like assmonkeys.
Brent @ 40:
your delusional....those things happened to me YESTERDAY....and this morning and the day before yesterday and a week ago for that fact...your facts are skewed.Perhaps you should dilute the koolaid slowly so it wont hurt too much.
Brent...name one thing that this admin has done correctly....just one....if we get into a good debate we need to go to the open thread...deal.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
mudshark, Market Collapse, are you kidding, market is in the 13,000-14,000 range, almost doubled since 9/11 (a 3-digit up or down day is no big deal as a percentage of the new much higher market).
On Global Warming, Greenland was agricultural and settled during the Viking days and England was attached to the European Continent before that. Carbon dioxide increase is very minor compared to water vapor effect; and, even if there were man-made global warming, do you really thinkg driving a prius would make a difference. Get real
Global warming is an excuse for government control and takoover from those evil corporations that all the Dems hate and take away power from the USA.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Guess who just approved Bushies new NSA powers that eliminate the FISA courts. Yes, Democrats voted for it too. Both parties are rotten.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
I dislike Pearl Jam, but I hate ATT more. ATT is Bush's only friend now. Why does ATT hate America? Why do they side with 25 percent of the American people?
If I had to hang out with Pearl Jam or ATT, I'd take Pearl Jam, even though they kind of suck now.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
sorry site moniter.......adios
you might as well delete mine too.....off topic
we were wrong brent we should of went over to the open thread........
The only benefit of continuing these mega mergers and consolidations is media control.
But control for whom? It allows billionaires to become multi-billionaires, which is of course, Bush's base.
...
I get a kick out of these comments. So they are spying on us. So they are messing with your phone and web. Big deal! You sound like whimps. This is a sure sign of the stuck in a chair tech generation. What are you going to do if they shut down the internet? Sit around and cry? Get out of the house. Go out and fight for your future if you want one. The only comment on this post worth anything is the one about the nation wide strike. Who cares what they censor. That is what live in person is for. Don't you think that we were spied on during Vietnam? Everyone had a FBI file back then. A hell of a lot of us were arrested because we got out of the house and did something.
[...] At Crooks & Liars, there’s a very sad and freightening article about Conservative media censorship, alive and well. Check out: A few days ago, the problem because crystal clear. AT&T censored political speech over streaming... [...]
No, Abbey Hoffman that was not a projection. The rock band Pearl Jam really does suck. Always have. Always will.
No surprise here. AT&T is a HUGE supporter of the Bush regime and the GOP.
Ruthless People @ 74:
..and vice versa.
Right on, #71...
mark @ 71:
Why not refuse to pay taxes while we are at it? If congress won't cut off war funding then lets not fund congress and the war. They can't jail all of us.
Ruthless People @ 77:
Actually that isn't a crazy idea. Do you know that a number of the states did not ratify the IRS law? There isn't a nationwide law on the books that says you have to pay taxes to the fed.
Ruthless People @ 77:
I for one am tired of my tax dollars going for the military industrial complex, death, destruction, war profiteering and so Halliburton can get no bid government contacts. Meanwhile our steam pipes are exploding and our bridges are collapsing.
mark @ 78:
Mark, I would like to know more about this.
[Deleted. Try to make your point without insulting everyone is spittle spraying range]
Ruthless People @ 80:
I did a quick search but did not find what I wanted. You might start with a book by Bill Benson called "The Law That Never Was" he is a former criminal investigator for the Illinois Department of Revenue.
the economic royalists addiction to power gets worse every day. They have their front men on CNBC and the financial papers and mags selling snake oil to the public
Dirty Hippie Blogger @ 73:
Guess that's why their show two nights before Lollapolooza sold out in about 15 minutes. They're my favorite band, have been for years and I am proud they continue to speak out against this vile administration.
Some states like Oregon allow you to not pay your taxes if you can show that for the amount of money that you owed to the govt was spent on other charitable cause. A group of Oregonian that refuse to pay taxes donated to the newly form peace organization. They first establish themselves as a conscience objector to the war. Bush war adviser (war Czar) suggest returning the draft, and now would be a good time to get listed as a conscience objector.
The media is against any political system that can't be bought with advertising. Freedom of speech is the freedom for corporations to buy and control speech. These bastards think the constitution is nothing but red tape.
Eddie Veder is probably one of the few musicians who actually have an
informed opinion. Ask any musician under 30 who John Edwards is.
The same with your average college student, until they actually reinstate
the draft. Then all the senators and congressmen will get bombarded with
phone calls saying "do you know who I am, I'm Mitt Romney and Tagger
is going to serve me over here not over there". Where did he get that name from
anyway? Oh yeah, the old Buster Brown commercial about the guy who lives in a
shoe "thats my dog Tag he lives in there too".
QuakerDave @ 4:
Nonsense? Are you so blind or stupid not to see the facts in front of your face? Really sheeple, it's time to wake up and admit you have no control and you aren't willing to do what it takes to take back your country.
If you have money you can say and do whatever you want.
Money is the ONLY scale they measure anything on now.
I'll personally be glad when the economy hits that brick wall it's racing toward so quickly.
[...] And here. [...]
"loosen media ownership rules" Interesting how language works, isn't it?
What we see and think consolidated to the will of a handful of corporations. Some "loosening".
Anything that can stop Eddie Vedder from singing is cool with me.
Next up Alannis Morrissette, the worse singer since Melanie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHF-iApfWis
apeman @ 3:
that's awesome, I urge everyone to do this.
The CEO of At&t stands in line to lick Dumbya's balls too.
Dirty Hippie Blogger @ 73:
Enlighten me on the great important pop music that pleases you.
[...] parameters of Operation Enduring Propaganda. And if all else fails, have your corporate accomplices outright censor those who have a too-loud a [...]
You REALLY think they will shut down the internets? The same internets that keeps everyone in their homes, clacking away on the keyboards, getting their daily release of being pissed off out of them? YOU REALLY think they will shut down the internets? NOT LIKELY. Otherwise they will have millions and millions of people REALLY PISSED off and having no place to vent said frustration they will quickly get off the office chair, and take to the streets, killing of few of the fucks along the way. Just ask the tech support people in India how pissed off computer users get when their internets doesn't work.
ARREST, TRY, HANG.
The ONLY good deterrent is to chop the heads off a bunch of them there p-o-l-i-t-i-c-i-a-n-s.
Keeps the others in line.
As for the capitalfascists, business brings communism. Just look at Wal-mart, which is a wonderful example of total market domination/monopolistation. The company (gov) tells the manufacturers (citizens) how to make their products, and how much to charge the company for said product, this is communism. Stick a fork in capitalism it is done.
We are now on the verge of a better "experiment", everyone, time to bring out your thoughts on how to do this thing called self-governance better. The old way got corrupted by the pieces of shit called the Republicans.
http://www.thisinstead.info
Login or Register to post comments.