NOW to take on FCC

On Oct. 31, NOW President Kim Gandy will be at a FCC Public Hearing on Media Localism, in Washington, D.C., to testify on media ownership and the responsibility of TV and radio broadcasters to serve their local communities. That is, by the way, their expressed charter, as the airwaves technically belong to the people. With increasing consolidation of the media, women's voices, perspectives and issues are marginalized and too often ignored entirely.

Gandy will also speak at the Rally for Better Media outside FCC headquarters prior to the hearing, where activists will demand that our media reflect our democracy.

"Women own a meager six percent of full-power radio stations and five percent of all TV stations in the U.S.," said Gandy. "How can we expect the media to reflect the diversity of our lives and cover issues that impact everyone when they are owned by a handful of rich conglomerates?"

Good question!

Gandy will be joined by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Hilda Solis, Women's Media Center President Carol Jenkins, Rosa Clemente of R.E.A.C.Hip Hop Coalition and other media reform leaders and activists working on this issue.

This is an issue that affects all of us, and needs all our voices.