In our view: Many Voices Needed
The Columbian – Concentrating media ownership in the hands of a few large companies would corrode Americans’ freedom to receive news from a variety of competitive sources. Congress knew this four years ago when it shut down the Federal Communications Commission’s attempt to allow large corporations to simultaneously own newspapers and TV and radio broadcast companies in the same city.
Alarmingly, the FCC is back again, trying to exhume a public policy corpse whose final resting place should remain undisturbed. Last week, the FCC announced it would try once more to allow media giants to even further dominate the news business. As we pointed out in a 2007 editorial, cross-ownership within media markets “would lead to fewer voices as corporate chains dictate news policies and editorial stances at multiple sites nationwide.” That should worry Americans of all political persuasions.
We hope resistance to this monopolistic meandering is as furious as it was in 2007, when the Third Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the FCC’s attempt to loosen media ownership rules. Certainly, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is willing to take up the same banner. Last week, she correctly concluded: “While increased media consolidation may be good for Wall Street, it is bad for Main Street. This decision will determine whether Americans have access to independently gathered news from diverse voices in their local communities. The American people deserve better than this proposal.” Cantwell also said changing the rules would be “merely a bailout for big media companies that incurred debt from poor investment decisions.”
To be clear, a 2007 Columbian editorial explained: “As one of the few independently owned newspapers in America, we believe local autonomy is best for our readers.” We also cited a comment by Columbian Publisher Scott Campbell in 2003: “The free flow of information in a democracy is not served by having fewer owners. Localness, diversity and accountability ought to be the foundation of media ownership, and the proposed changes work against those objectives.”
Archives
- May 2012
- April 2012
- Cantwell works on potato politics
- Cantwell announces plan to protect Washington shellfish jobs
- Sen. Cantwell visits Olympic College to promote Air Washington grant
- Cantwell pushes for more aerospace workers in visit to Kitsap
- Cantwell’s Impressive Fundraising Numbers
- Senator talks up Ex-Im Bank during Yakima manufacturer tour
- Cantwell pushing for Export-Import Bank reauthorization
- Cantwell, Begich: Plan now for tsunami debris
- Murray and Cantwell: Republicans Threaten to Kill VAWA
- $1.3M grant to benefit Hanford workers who were laid off
- March 2012
- Rolling back the clock on women’s health
- Editorial: Congress can help keep U.S. competitive with bank aid
- Candidates converge at crab confluence
- Sen. Maria Cantwell: Export-Import Bank crucial for Boeing, other Washington exporters
- No Senate stalling on domestic violence: Cantwell
- Senators Cantwell, Murray fight to save women’s bill
- If itemizing federal taxes remember to deduct state, local taxes
- Women Figure Anew in Senate’s Latest Battle
- Dems: Tie export agency to jobs bill
- Cantwell smacks down Rush Limbaugh
- Maria on Andrea Mitchell
- February 2012
- Quileute Is Moving to Higher Ground
- ‘Women on fire’: Not-so-gentle words from ‘gentle ladies’ of the U.S. Senate
- Wash. delegation seeks U.S. funds for Puyallup River flood study
- Fancy Meeting You Here
- Salazar, Cantwell push to protect San Juan Islands
- Murray, Cantwell at ramparts — green voter group
- President to sign land deal to protect Quileute Tribe from tsunami
- Editorial: Sales tax deduction critical for consumers
- ‘Twilight’ tribe wins land transfer for tsunami protection
- Bill means shorter flights, less waiting at Sea-Tac
- U.S. Sen. Cantwell helps kill latest Arctic drilling plan
- Congress passes bill reauthorizing FAA spending
- FAA bill could bring jet fuel research center to Tri-Cities
- Cantwell continues the fight to protect sales tax deductions
- In Our View: Cheers & Jeers
- Cantwell calls for extension of state and local sales tax deduction
- Breaking: Two dozen Senators call on Komen to reverse Planned Parenthood decision
- January 2012
- Z Speaker Series: Senator Maria Cantwell
- Herrera Beutler on Obama speech: Get serious about cutting regulations
- The privacy bill: Web activists trump Hollywood
- Anti-SOPA/PIPA efforts make their mark; anti-piracy bills take a beating
- Sen.Cantwell in Vancouver to push Freight Act
- Weathering the Storm
- Editorial: Stakes are high in fight for tankers, Fairchild
- Cantwell wants to modernize freight transportation infrastructure
- Campaign begins to get KC-46A based at Fairchild
- Cantwell says state must groom homegrown aerospace talent
- Sen. Cantwell tours local aviation manufacturing facility
- Internet Censorship Bill Coming Up in Senate in Three Weeks
- 2011 — A year of highs and lows
- December 2011
- Brucellosis testing for cattle in Washington is reduced
- In our view: Many Voices Needed
- The FCC recycles a bad idea to allow media consolidation
- Review mining plan near volcano, Cantwell says
- Cantwell seeks online piracy law seen as less harsh by tech firms
- Sen. Cantwell demands DOJ investigate foreclosure fraud before a settlement
- Sen. Maria Cantwell demands full Justice Dept. investigation of foreclosure fraud
- On Plan B, Democrats want answers from Obama
- WA state delegation, Governor petition Air Force to bring tankers to Fairchild
- Most tsunami debris must be removed from the ocean by hand
- Feds give $25m to SeaTac light-rail and JBLM smart-freeway projects
- Murray, Cantwell seek “scientific rationale” for blocking Plan B
- Sen.: More aircraft maintenance jobs for vets
- Budget, tax credits lead agendas of region’s lawmakers
- Boeing surprise good for workers, company and state
- Share information: Salmon viruses do not respect borders
- Bipartisan Lawmakers Offer Alternative Proposal To Online Piracy Bills
- Lawmakers offer alternative to Google-opposed piracy bill
- What people are saying about the deal between Boeing and the Machinist union
- November 2011
- 737 MAX stays in Renton under Boeing, union agreement
- Senator irked by unpublished salmon virus study
- Senators Wyden, Cantwell ready to stand up to protect the Internet from censorship bills
- Cantwell, Inslee lead effort to protect roadless forests
- Ascent of a Woman
- Ascent of a Woman
- U.S. must have plan to deal with huge debris field from Japan
- Alaska Air starts test of biofuel-powered flights
- SENATE: Murray, Cantwell urge better oversight of disabled vet program
- Infectious salmon anemia: Getting the jump on a disease of ‘devastating quickness’
- Debris from Japanese tsunami a threat to NW jobs, Cantwell says
- Senators: Don’t trust Canada, U.S. must test for salmon virus
- Cantwell wants plan for floating Japan debris
- A West Coast Salmon Epidemic: Get Ahead of It, and Get Canada Off Its Behind
- State must prepare aerospace workers of the future
- October 2011
- Murray, Cantwell tout Seattle as space-shuttle stop
- Sen. Cantwell: Don’t leave aerospace up in air
- Boeing employs 80,000; many more workers needed soon
- Cantwell promotes aerospace jobs
- Green ski slopes
- Senate OKs Amendment to Study Deadly Fish Virus on the West Coast
- Cantwell seeks federal action on Asian clams found in Whatcom County waters
- U.S. Senators seek new study of deadly salmon virus
- Senators Question Weak Oil Speculation Rule
- Cantwell Urges Equal Treatment of Cash and Physical Derivatives
- Strengthening Washington’s dominance over aerospace
- Aerospace Skills Training Program
- Lawmakers confronting cold reality for pricey icebreakers
- CONGRESS: Cantwell, Murray plan to sponsor bill to extend rural schools act
- Early storms already a test of new radar
- Federal $1.6 million grant to help Washington state exporters
- In Our View: In the Right Place
- September 2011
- Better storm forecasts coming with higher tech radar
- State-of-the-art Doppler radar will help predict Washington’s coastal weather
- Officials: New Doppler radar on coast will save lives
- Biofuel research at UW and WSU to help power the economy
- Sen. Cantwell to declare coastal radar operational
- Grant awarded to help attract nonstop LA flight
- Camano Island radar station gives a clearer picture of weather
- New law to benefit state’s foster care program
- Editorial: Park idea for Hanford deserving of support
- Doppler – from operating to ‘operational’
- Congress Reacts to ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal
- Cantwell: Hero in book on Obama heavies
- National Conservation Area for the San Juans in congressional hands
- Maria Cantwell Hails End of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: “Long Road to Victory”
- ‘Prayers answered’: National figures join Peninsula leaders at dam ceremony
- Secretary of the Interior visits Hanford
- Bristol Bay sockeye a regional specialty
- Special location warrants protection
- Congress Weighs in Against Pebble Mine
- Seattle Times: Cantwell Takes Stand Against Alaska Mine
- Washington senator asks EPA to protect Bristol Bay
- Cantwell aims to halt Alaska gold mine
- Smith, Murray, Gregoire like Obama jobs plan
- City announces $10 mil for Sodo project
- Stevenson: The Long Campaign For Coastal Doppler
- August 2011
- Snohomish County Receives Funds to Fight Child Prostitution
- B Reactor moves toward being a museum
- Feds hand bank $18 million to boost business
- Cantwell touts camelina crop to farmers
- Cantwell stumps in Vancouver to preserve tax credit program
- New fire station opens at the pass
- Cantwell pushes for tax credit extension
- CFTC eyes September action on oil speculation limits
- Boeing 787 certification hinged on molding technology
- New Plant Could Be Next Money Crop For Farmers
- Cantwell urges farmers to sign up to grow jet fuel crop
- New coastal radar now online near Copalis Beach; local meteorologists thrilled
- Empire Editorial: Icebreakers: Save the old ones, build more new ones
- Lynden’s Peoples Bank receives $18 million to assist small businesses
- Cantwell, Murray visit Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
- Cantwell-backed program seeks camelina growers
- June 2011
- May 2011
Working for WA
Protecting Washington’s Natural Resources
As one of the most beautiful states in the union–and one of the richest in natural resources–Washington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the state’s conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Fighting For Washington Businesses, Workers and Jobs
Maria knows Washington’s business community – because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, she’s led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Keeping Washington Families Safe
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Standing with Middle-Class Taxpayers
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough times–and tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
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