Issues
Civil Rights and Non-Discriminatory Deployment
Historically, some groups have been left behind or ignored in telecommunications--we seek to combat barriers in ownership and employment, and to promote the fair deployment of infrastructure. MAP works with many other organizations to preserve and promote FCC rules and broadcaster initiatives to promote diversity in our media.
The FCC has released the long-awaited "Adarand" studies, which are designed to determine whether government policies lead to the unfair distribution of media ownership and control, in order to meet the legal standard for imposing affirmative action requirements developed by the Supreme Court's 1995 decision in Adarand v. Pena. FCC Overview of Studies and Forum. (12/00)
A few years ago, Congress eliminated the Commission's most successful program for promoting minority ownership. Referred to as "tax certificates," this program permitted non-minority companies to defer capital gains taxes if they sold their media properties to a minority. A new movement is afoot to pass legislation to reinstate an improved tax certificate program.
Links
- On June 24, 2002, the FCC held a hearing about new Equal Employment
Opportunity rules for broadcasters. Read the
transcript.
In the News
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- It's July 3, and it's quiet in Kelly Ingram Park, where local police once turned firehoses and dogs on civil rights demonstrators. .... Although the civil rights movement started without the intense interest of the media and the nation, eventually it helped effect change. ... With the local media dominated by one player, it was difficult for the citizens to know what was going on in their backyards. Federal regulations prevent the same media concentration now, but those regulations are under attack by the major media players and under review by federal regulators. (Read more)
Other Resources on Civil Rights
- Civil Rights groups and others send letter to Chairman Powell. The letter asked Powell to heed an earlier letter from Senators Hollings, Kohl, and Dewine. June 4, 2002
- Reclaim The Media has an excellent resource page on Media Justice.
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