Dead
prez rapper M1 and R.E.A.C. Hip-Hop (Representing Education, Activism and Community
through Hip Hop) will address members of the FCC at a town hall meeting/public
hearing Thursday (Oct. 19) on diversity and ownership of the media.Those
slated to attend the gathering include FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan
Adelstein, community leaders, media representatives and concerned citizens.The
meeting comes amid reaction to the recent payola scandal involving Emmis Communications
and Clear Channel Communications, according to R.E.A.C. Hip-Hop spokesperson Rosa
Clemente."We
demand the inclusion of artists whose music would bring a balance to Hip-Hop radio
from pioneering DJs and emcees from the ’70s, through the decades, to today’s
underground and unsigned hit makers and beat makers," said Clemente, who
added that the meeting will focus on ownership. "[We
need to] free Hip-Hop music from greedy corporations who have little care as to
what poison they broadcast into our communities and into the ears of our youth!"
she continued. "No one should have to pay for play! We will no longer tolerate
the racist, sexist and heartless comments made over the last 18 months by shock
jock style morning show hosts."The
meeting — sponsored by the National Hispanic Media Coalition/National Latino
Media Council, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National
Institute for Latino Policy and in partnership with Free Press, a national public
policy group — is the latest in a series of public hearings conducted by the
FCC on issues such as localism, diversity and ownership caps.
The first two
meetings were held Oct. 3 in Los Angeles."Many
feel that lifting ownership caps will result in greater concentration of media
ownership, the loss of local owners and a decline in minority ownership,"
Clemente said. "Critics point to Clear Channel as an example of what happens
when ownership limits are removed. Clear Channel now controls over 1,400 radio
stations and most provide little or no local content.Established
in late January 2005 in response to the "Tsunami Song" scandal at New
York’s Hot 97 FM, R.E.A.C. Hip-Hop aims to encourage and create fair and equal
representation of the diversity of Hip-Hop culture.The
town hall meeting public hearing will take place Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Kaye
Playhouse in Hunter College, East 68th St. (between Park and Lexington Aves.)
in Manhattan.
