| Iowans
for Better Local Televsion
was founded in early 2005 by individuals in the Cedar Rapids / Iowa
City region concerned
about the poor quality of broadcast media. We decided to do something
about it. Like many of our friends and neighbors, we've long felt
that the quality of commercial news sources has declined considerably
over the last 20 years. Lacking both substance and civility, today's
networks and stations are not taking seriously their public interest
role of informing us. Important issues, such as health care, long-term
energy strategies, and corporate-lobbyist influences on our government
are hardly discussed, while the saga of Michael Jackson is given
endless coverage. And local coverage of community events, groups,
and news has been reduced to 20-second sound bites. What's worse,
presentation of news and facts have been replaced by opinion and
incivility. Our democracy needs to be treated better!
While
we feel that most broadcast stations have let down their public,
it took the excesses of one owner, Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBG),
and their stations to mobilize us. Sinclair either owns or operates
the broadcasts of KGAN TV (Channel 2, Cedar Rapids), KDSM (Des
Moines) and KFXA (Cedar Rapids). The tipping point occurred when
SBG conducted on on-air attack
of an Iowa Citian because it opposed his views. The fact that
KGAN transmitted SBG's smear without contacting him or offering
equal time was the troubling wake-up call for us that our
local television was in trouble.
It no longer served the community, but a narrow agenda of a distant
corporation.
We
formed IBLTV to effect positive change
We
have three goals
First,
we seek to better inform ourselves about the state
of local television and the national forces (FCC rule changes,
special-interest lobbyists, etc.) that are driving it downward.
Second,
we have begun a program of community outreach
to
spread the word about the alarmingly poor quality of the broadcast
media. While not the only problem, we see the uncivil and
divisive acts of Sinclair Broadcast Group to be one of the
worst that besets our community. We believe that grass-roots
must raise the alarm, because the Big Five, who control 80%
of what Americans watch, have little interest in alerting
the public of their abandonment of their FCC-stipulated pledge
to "serve the public interest".
Third,
we are seeking to overcome the worst aspects of media consolidation
as its impacts negatively upon our community. We do this
by (1) Increasing our numbers so as to increase our impact,
(2) Direct communication with the broadcasters with the hope
of facilitating voluntary change, and (3) Failing that, contacting
the FCC and elected representatives to promote rule and legislative
changes that will compel broadcasters to adhere to the FCC's
long-held concept that broadcasters granted use our airwaves,
to, in part, serve the public interest.
We
welcome visitors to peruse our website. In particular, look at
the topics discussed under the "Issues" menu button
(at the top of this page). If you are like us, you will find that,
the more you know about this issue, the more important it is to
act.
IBLTV
is a non-profit organization unaffiliated with any political group
or other group. The
loss of localism, civility, and responsible journalism threates
all community members, regardless of group
affiliation. Without active, reponsible, and locally based news
organizations, our community will not be well served.
In
an era where social disintegration and isolation is a growing
problem, we see a need for a re-invigoration of localism
and community activity,
not the default acquiescence to the a self-interested, distant,
and elite rich.
If
you feel that media consolidation and loss of
localism hurts civility and each citizen's practice of democracy,
consider joining us. If you live outside the Cedar Rapids / Iowa
City region and are concerned, contact us: we can help you start
a group.
Contact us at:
Feedback@IBLTV.org
|
