PRESS RELEASE
CONGRESSMAN MAJOR R. OWENS
MAY 9, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT: DEBORAH GARRAWAY-STAYERS at (718) 773-3100 or ROBIN BRAZLEY (202) 225-6231
OWENS TAKES ON MEDIA ACCESS FIGHT.
Congressman Major R. Owens, an executive member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has announced that The Progressive Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives is conducting a forum "On the State of Community Radio: Pacifica Radio Foundation, Free Speech And Citizen Access To The Spectrum." The forum will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 2261 Rayburn House Office Building.
The Progressive Caucus is chaired by Congressman Dennis Kucinich and co-chaired by Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
"Any action that serves to restrict and delimit the progressive voice in this country any further is dangerous and an intolerable threat to our democracy" Owens said recently when asked about the purpose of the forum. "Since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, there has been a savage consolidation of ownership and control of radio and television stations that seriously limit access of alternative views and grassroots voices to the media. This Pacifica conflict threatens one of the few significant radio access points open to all of the people. Open access to the airwaves is a critical part of democracy," Owens said.
Two Panels will discuss public access to the airwaves, obstacles to such access, and the free speech implications of limited access. Specifically, the Caucus will be reviewing the growing conflict between the Pacifica Foundation Board and Pacifica listener supporters across the country over democratic principles of free speech, access, and the
mission Pacifica was licensed to meet.
Low power radio broadcasting, the impact of the Telecommunications act of 1996, and changes at the FCC, will also be reviewed.
The main objective is to open the debate on the democratic principles at the heart of the Pacifica Foundation conflict: censorship, equal access, future viability of non-profit status, and national vs local control in public supported organizations.
Owens became a major player in this conflict after he was cut off the air during a live broadcast on WBAI in March. Speaking about the incident on the floor of the House of Representatives, Owens blasted the irresponsible act of censorship calling it a " weird and
frightening experience of being gagged by a radio station manager in my own home city of New York." On Monday 5 March, Congressman Owens was rudely interrupted and turned off the air when he called in as a guest on WBAI. Speaking on "Building Bridges: Your Community and Labor Report," Owens was several minutes into a discussion on recent changes at the listener-sponsored station, when WBAI's interim general manager pulled the plug on his interview without explanation or apology.
Representatives from both sides of the conflict will present testimony on the democratic principles of free speech, access and the mission of the Pacifica Foundation.