[Imc-radio] media censoring story pitch for FSRN

[Sandra Ahten]

Good morning. I am an IMC journalist from Urbana IL. (UCIMC) I have a story 
idea that I would like you to consider regarding the recent censoring by CBS 
of paid advertising from Moveon.org.

The story has been filed on mediachannel.org. You can follow this link to 
get the details.
http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert131.shtml

I don't believe you have yet reported on this as a national story. I would 
proposed tying it in with a local story here in Urbana. The public radio 
station (mostly NPR/ BBC/ local origination) WILL 580AM, has refused to take 
underwriting from the local anti-war group (AWARE -- Anti-War, Anti-Racism 
Effort)  stating that having Anti-War in their name is "too controversial."

Interestingly Bob McChesney, nationally know media author has a program, 
"Media Matters" on this very radio station and he is also written critism of 
CBS for their actions. I've included a link to Robert McChesney's website 
and pasted the email I just received from him below.

For the piece I would try to interview, Robert McChesney, Les Schulte 
(underwriting manager WILL) or Jay Pierce (Station Mgr. WILL), someone from 
Moveon.org, someone from CBS, some one from the AWARE group.

Although Danielle Chynoweth is out of town, I have consulted with her on 
this story and she said I could give her name for reference. In addition I 
have worked with Pauline Bartalone in the past and she can vouch for my 
ability also.

I would keep you updated on which interviews I could get recorded Friday Jan 
23 and file the story edited to your time suggestions on Monday morning.

I would also be open to the possibility of doing this without the local 
angle, but using Robert McChesney as the basis of most of the national 
angle. Let me know your preference.

Sincerely,

Sandra Ahten

----
link to McChensey and copy of his recent posting:
http://www.robertmcchesney.com/





If you are concerned about the state of the union, you should be concerned 
about the state of the media.

Last week, CBS television censored free speech by refusing to sell airtime 
to the MoveOn Voter Fund for a political ad during the Super Bowl. The ad is 
critical of the Bush Administration's run-up of the federal deficit.

CBS - owned by media giant Viacom - says it doesn't run "controversial" ads 
during the Super Bowl. But it plans to air a White House drug policy spot 
during the game. The last such ad linked marijuana smoking to terrorism... 
hardly uncontroversial.

It is no coincidence that the White House and the FCC are pushing through 
new media ownership limits at the behest of CBS - efforts that activists and 
public interest groups have been fighting. CBS/Viacom spent over $4 million 
lobbying Congress in the last four years alone.

CBS is playing politics with the right to free speech: another example of 
media monopoly's chilling effect on democratic debate.

We need your help to spread the word about CBS and the growing media crisis. 
Many members of Congress continue to fight further media consolidation 
because millions of Americans have pressured them to do so. This recent 
insult proves that we need millions more.

First, forward this email to everyone you know who cares about free speech 
and democracy.

Next, go to http://www.mediareform.net/media to learn more and sign up to be 
a Free Press E-Activist. You will receive occasional (not frequent) emails 
about media reform and how you can get involved. It's easy to subscribe and 
unsubscribe.

Free Press is a national nonpartisan organization working to increase public 
participation in crucial media policy debates, and to generate policies that 
will produce a more competitive and public interest-oriented media system. 
Information online at http://www.mediareform.net

Please join us as we build a media system that serves the public interest, 
not just corporate interests. Our democracy depends on it.

Yours truly,
Robert McChesney
Author, Professor
Founder, Free Press

_________________________________________________________________
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