Call to Action: August 11, 2017

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FIGHT POLITICIZATION OF LOCAL TV NEWS
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#StopBiasedNews
#ProtectFirstAmendement

Helped by Trump’s FCC, Sinclair Broadcast, a conservative television empire, is poised to take over 42 local stations through a merger with Tribune Media. Combined with the 173 it already controls, Sinclair would access 70% of American households and double its influence in Portland.

Sinclair is biased news that borders on propaganda:
• Sinclair has corporate ties to Republican politicians and forces local affiliates to broadcast on-air support for conservative causes http://cnnmon.ie/2qhy3ti, http://nyti.ms/2vK6Od2
• Trump campaign struck deal with Sinclair to provide coverage. Sinclair’s reporting heavily favored Trump http://politi.co/2gKQGMF, http://wapo.st/2vUPcLb

Critics urged the FCC to stop Sinclair’s merger
• Sinclair would have unprecedented power to politicize local TV news, create less competition, fewer local program options. http://bit.ly/2wNhowT, http://bsun.md/2utWMwW
• Some suggest Sinclair’s favorable coverage of Trump greased the wheels for FCC’s using a regulation loop hole to make this merger happen http://bit.ly/2vrysJ5, http://politi.co/2wwXHci
• The loop hole used for this merger could violate anti-trust laws and almost doubles the limits Congress has set for media company ownership

Our democracy requires access by many voices to media markets. Democrats want Congressional hearings by the antitrust subcommittees, but none are scheduled.

Our MoCs must take the lead in pushing for them!

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**ACTION 1: CALL SENATORS WYDEN AND MERKLEY, AND CONGRESSMAN WALDEN (if you can’t call during business hours, leave a voice mail! It all makes a difference!)**

SAMPLE SCRIPT
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am very concerned about the proposed Sinclair Broadcasting-Tribune merger. It undercuts the First Amendment’s encouragement of a robust marketplace of ideas. It also violates both antitrust law and the Congressional cap on media company ownership. I’m asking the [Senator/Representative] demand anti-trust hearings and FCC oversight hearings on this topic. We must reinstate the rule that would stop this type of merger. In addition, we need the [Senator/Representative] to speak out as a strong leader for protecting our independent media, a cornerstone of our democracy. Thank you.”

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**ACTION 2: IF POSSIBLE, GO TO A TOWN HALL AND ASK OUR MoCS TO PRESS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON THE PROPOSED SINCLAIR-TRIBUNE MERGER**
(http://bit.ly/IO_Events)

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am very concerned about the proposed Sinclair Broadcasting-Tribune merger which will give Sinclair the ability to broadcast its conservative message to over 70% of American households. This proposed consolidation severely undercuts the First Amendment’s encouragement of a robust marketplace of ideas and violates both antitrust law and the 39% Congressional cap on media company ownership. Will you promise to push for hearings before the anti-trust subcommittee in your chamber? Will you also push for further hearings in the FCC oversight committee and work to reinstate the rule that would stop this type of merger?”

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city]. I am very concerned about the proposed Sinclair Broadcasting-Tribune merger which will give Sinclair the ability to broadcast its conservative message to over 70% of American households. This proposed consolidation severely undercuts the First Amendment’s encouragement of a robust marketplace of ideas and violates both antitrust law and the 39% Congressional cap on media company ownership. Will you agree to push for hearings before the anti-trust subcommittee in your chamber? As the Chair of the House Commerce Committee, will you also push for further hearings in the FCC oversight sub-committee and work to reinstate the rule that would stop this type of merger?”

If you can’t get to a town hall, please call Senator Wyden’s, Senator Merkley’s and Congressman Walden’s offices and ask them the above questions.

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**ACTION 3: SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Share this post with friends and family. And help them to call and tell their Senators to push for these Congressional hearings.

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http://www.politico.com/…/trump-fcc-sinclair-broadcast-expa…

How Trump’s FCC aided Sinclair’s expansion

Use of a regulatory loophole will allow Sinclair to reach 72 percent of U.S. households after buying Tribune’s stations.

politico.com

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Pam Marsh Health Care Town Hall
August 13 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/pam-marsh-health-care-town-hall/

Rally In Support Of Our Veterans (Non-ORD2 Sponsored Event)
August 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/rally-in-support-of-our-veterans/

Social Hour, Common Block Brewing Company, Medford
August 16 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/social-hour-common-block-brewing-company-medford/

ROCK the RESISTANCE Fundraiser!
September 8 @ 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Spread the word; cross-post this event on your personal walls! Tickets on sale now – click on this link for additional information:|https://ord2indivisible.org/event/rock-the-resistance-fundraiser/

Enter to win a FREE TICKET to the Rock the Resistance Fundraiser! 

Answer the following:  How would you prefer the money raised at this fundraiser be spent?
1) To create a highway billboard to display Walden’s voting record and stand on issues?
2) To create radio ads to be broadcast throughout District 2 that review Walden’s voting record and stand on issues?3) Other – make your recommendation.

Enter the random drawing by making a comment on this posting, on our Facebook page, or by sending a private message to Teresa Safay.

Volunteers Needed! 

We are looking for some 40 volunteers to assist at the Rock the Resistance Fundraiser. please send a private message to Teresa Safay If you can help..  Thank you!