In conjunction with MoveOn.org, Mediareform.net is trying to nail 100,000 signatures by the end of the week.

If they succeed, Senators J. Snowe (R-ME) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) will host a "crucial press event" to submit this petition to their colleagues, says Mediareform, going on:

"The final showdown in the fight against media monopoly is here: it all comes down to how the Senate votes in the next two weeks. On the floor are initiatives that would roll back the FCC's June 2 media ownership rule changes that favor giant media megacorporations over the public interest."

With the RIAA hogging the limelight via the latest phase in its sue 'em all campaign, it'd be all too easy to let Hollywood slide its bid to monopolise America's radio and tv broadcasts by.

"Because 2.3 million Americans — conservative and liberal — decried the FCC's lifting of media ownership caps, Big Media lobbyists are fighting back hard," states the site. "We can't outspend Big Media, but if we can gather 100,000 signatures by the end of the week, we stand a good chance of winning on the Senate floor."

Petition Text

Dear (Name):

We, the undersigned, call on Congress to overturn the Federal Communication Commission's relaxation of media ownership rules that was passed by a 3-2 vote on June 2, 2003.

A self-governing and free society requires an open, fair, and representative media system with the widest possible dissemination of diverse, local, and independent information and ideas. These are values we hold to be central to our democracy.

The new media ownership rules handed down by the FCC are in clear violation of these values. American citizens from across the political spectrum have spoken out against them with a unified voice. The FCC review that produced the new rules ignored informed public input and used skewed studies to justify trading public service for private profit.

Whether Congress legislates to overturn the new FCC rules, passes a resolution nullifying the FCC action, or votes for a spending bill that accomplishes the same result, we demand a total rollback of the June 2 rule change.

(Your comment here)

Sincerely,

(Your name)
(Your address)

i signed... 8295

8304

8311

Is this only for American citizens?
I don't know if I can sign, as I'm in the UK.
(Stupid question, but..)

i believe so since its a petition to the U.S. Senate .... but thanks anyway

8321

sent... 8325.

I don't have a "zip code" or live in a "state". But I can still sign using a fake address

8 3 4 9

Number 8366, brothers and sisters notified.

~goingnova

8371

8389

Let's keep 'em coming guys. We have to keep putting the screws to these bastards.

8391.

8400

8417

8432 : )

8466

8470

8471 or something lol

8543

8550

8558

In the late 8500s

8587

8592

I just had everyone in my immediate family sign, and took it to 8609! I'm emailing everyone I know!

Done:8611

8614

done 8620

8634

Hey does anyone here Fark? They never ever post my links, but if there's a totalfarker here maybe you could post the link & have better luck than I. It might be worht a lot of signatures.

8639

#8641 here!

Done 8657#

The relaxation of the FCC rules on media ownership will allow the Clear Channel monopoly to grow even further. Relaxing the rules will not increase content or diversity. It will stifle the independent stations and papers, eventually forcing them to close their doors or sell to Clear Channel. Please add my name to those who are looking out for the indepent "little guys" and help us stop this gross injustice. Thank you for your time.

#8662

#8691

I have only recently become interested/involved with the RIAA boycott, and am still learning about all of the ramifications of the RIAA suits. As a professional musician, I am disgusted with the RIAA's "jackboot" techniques of using their financial clout to attempt to "stomp" out P2P file sharing. The Internet is the new frontier for musicians and will soon replace all of the old technology that the RIAA is trying so desperately to protect. They should be looking for ways to work with this new innovative method of music distribution rather than trying to force users to regress to a system whose day may finally have come.
I do know that it will take a concentrated effort to let the RIAA know the strength of the resistance movement. A "shotgun" approach with everyone speaking their minds at different times may cause some stir but will not make the difference where RIAA can feel it, in their pocketbooks....and let's face it..Not everyone who is in favor of the boycott will completely give up buying CDs if there is music that they really want(and are hesitant to download)...

What needs to happen is an event. Like a Million Man March or a Million Mom March or whatever...Call it a Multi-Million Customer Boycott Month if you want....put out the word and pick a month(December is good. It's a big music sales month and there's plenty of time to organize), then elicit a committment from EVERYONE to NOT buy a single CD of any type that month. Everyone can abstain from buying for one month, but the cumulative effect on the Industry would be in the millions of dollars. That will send a much greater message then any number of written protests, e-mails, etc...because the RIAA will know the strength of the consumer. Remember you vote against the RIAA with $$$$$....witholding them.

#8712

8726

I thought the supreme court ruled that law unconstitutional?

sig ned

I was studying social movement and protest and it said that back in the olden times, instead of these petitions, when people didn't like something, they just stormed the buildings and burned it. More direct method lol

Hmmm maybe....
1330 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20036

EVERYONE get your pitchforks, and torches!

nyer82 I have a salad fork and a bic,I can atleast poke'em a few times and singe their hair. lol

Random Thoughts from a Poet:

Title: The Real Chances

There are currently approximately 60,000,000 people in America trading music files online. By contrast, the 2000 census estimated that there were about 281,000,000 (281,421,906) people in the US. That would put the number of file shares at approximately 21% of the population of the US today. Do they plan to jail 21% of the population?

Also, there have been 261 lawsuits filed to date. If they filed 261 lawsuits a day for a month (standard 31 day month) that would be 8091 lawsuits. Again, considering there are 60,000,000 file sharers in the US today, the current chance of being sued is .000435%. If they managed to keep up this steam every day for a month, the chance would increase to .013485% that you would be targeted. That means a little over one in 10,000 people, provided the courts don't throw the cases out as frivolous when they get tired of dealing with them.

#8752
I have been reading the post on this site for about 3 weeks now and have been a member for about 2 weeks, but this is my first post. I have never been one that could put my thoughts to paper (or computer) as well as alot of the posters here. But I do feel the same way that all of you feel. I have been sending letters and E-mail to all of MY reps for the state of Idaho, and will continue for as long as it takes.

Watching the numbers on the petition increase from 7PM-12AM EDT, I am very impressed with everyone here.

Please, please, please, forward an email to everyone you know to sign it. 100,000 seems like a long way off, but with 60,000,000 fighting for their personal rights, it's very much do-able.

8777

Let freedom ring!
8797

wonder if the government is tired of hearing from me yet.

#8804

8 9 0 9

Hmm...if phiberoptix's siggy is 8909...why is it that my number is 8838?

8899

well looks like wear slowing down some :0(

8914

My comment was
"The airwaves belong to "We the People", "We the People" let them use them, "We the People" make the rules, not Big Business"

8950

9012

9018

9040

Thanks for signing the Petition to Roll Back FCC Media Ownership Rules.

Your signature brings the number of people who have signed this petition to 9109.

damn it keeps going a friend of mine signed and its up to 9114.

i think they will make it

9163

I signed...I think I am 8711.

9 2 2 6

does anyone have Sherman's addy>?

9335

(First Post)
9341

(My first as well.)
9424

9481 and 9482 (my fiance)

Yeah People! Fight On! #9490 here.

Mine was entered earlier today.

So far this has been a very carefully orchestrated and nursed through the legal system. Joe Q. Public has not had much of a chance to have his say. Folks the day is coming, election day. Remember those names that come through here when that day comes, then vote your conscience, just has every elected offical has told you to do since the start.

The one thing, no matter how much money passes hands that they hate to do is give it up. The other is that if the major labels have to pay again to different politicans for the same bought service then expense is not what they can afford over the long haul. (Kind of like the having to rebuy the music on different media, isn't it)

So how does that suit the music industry? Sounds like tit for tat to me...

Fighting and signing 10547

10547

you all are making fools of yourselves

uh oh.....j72883 is trying to earn his riaa paycheck...

With all due respect J72883, why would a nay-sayer have any interest in being amongst people who are allegedly "making fools of themselves"?

10568

10570.

Just saw on warner brothers TV where BMI is sueing karaoke bars.

Look like we won't be able to hum a tune without proper licensing or we might be labeled a a criminal and I thought my Grandmothers stories of the Trail of Tears was horrible.

I signed.
10586.

Signed.. lost the number when I C&P'd somthing else though

I signed days ago, and whored the link out to everyone I could think of. I just hope they've done the same. I wonder what the grand total is so far.

done 10609

I signed it at 9163 sigs. My DSL crashed after that.

one more for the list...10617

Another for the list #10624

oldrocknroller,

What we need is for professional musicians to speak up with the truth about how the music business operates -- in front of Congress.

We need a hero with a name they'll recognize. One they'll listen to.

But the heroes don't have time for their customers, their fans or the next generation of musicians any more. They have all disappeared with armed guards in their shiny limousines...

Hey, I bet Courtney Love would do it!!!

10671 here.

gd I don't believe that...I have went to many of the artists sites and signed guestbooks as to why I will no longer be buying their cd's. All it takes is for enough people to do this and soon the artists themselves will get tired of it. I have also started emailing letters to all the record companies starting with the a's as to why I will no longer put money into their pockets. I have a lot of time on my hands. What better way to spend time then a good fight.

This is off topic...but is it possible to have a transcript posted of the tech tv wars discussion posted on this site after it takes place? My cable company doesn't include Tech TV in its line up....and it would really be nice if I could maybe read or even seen the whole show... thanx.

Hear The Voices Of America! #10,703

#10705

Hey I'm #10704 and I hope we can all bring the RIAA to it's knees! Those bastards got it coming. I will never buy another cd from any record label on their list of members. I hope everyone will do the same. To hell with boycotting for a month. Let's boycott untill the bastards go broke!! I know I am...who's with me?!

I think people are going to be putting it up on the p2p networks.

#10709

I sent......#10,719.

DOWN with the RIAA....and Michael Powell!

:-:~ PhantomGhost ~:-:

# 10718

Just signed I'm # 10725

# 10730

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/forum/readThread.asp?id=1198 here you will see opinions are the same. When you click '2' at the bottom and go to the second page you will se that I have put www.boycott-riaa.com at the foot of my message to spread the word a little more.

I will be posting the TechTV "Music Wars" video after it airs.

http://66.90.184.94/

right on someone else is running a server,ill mirror it for you...but read this email i got from tech tv...we need to make a link to there site to share it.


Hi Stephanie-
You can link to anything on the TechTV site without a license. If you want to do anything other than link to techtv.com, you need to send a request
to sashazullo@techtvcorp.com.

Thanks for your interest,

Priscilla Thorner

Got it! I'm number 10,744! Woo-Hoo!

number 10,752 and counting. to have one senator at a time on our side is crucial. sen. orrin hatch is having his doubts already about what's going on with the riaa and their "jackboot tactics" to minors and that it is not good for the country. there's a right and a wrong way to face this problem and their way is wrong, election time is near and the politicians will listen more closely to our voices with petitions. Down with the riaa

10785

10788 Done

seraphielx - respectfully, I don't think her letter meant you could upload it and just link to their site.
I think she said you could link to anything on their site, but for any other uses, you need prior permission.
That's the way I read it.

yeah i know that,it said to ask the other kat so i sent them an email

i posted it wrong...wasn't awake as of then

so listen up if you want to see a copy of the music wars you need to email this kat here for us to do it full and legal


sashazullo@techtvcorp.com

got an email from the otherkat and he sent out a email as well...

I contacted TechTV last night about posting to my site. No Reply, YET! I will keep all Informed. Peace!

Mwahahaha...School computers sloooow heres a MAJOR petion armada...www.petiononline.com

http://www.petitiononline.com/cgi-htdig/htsearch?restrict=petitiononline.com;config=htdig;method=and;format=builtin-long;sort=score;words=RIAA

HURRAH!! #10797

10805.

#10821

10,836 WooHoo!!

Signed this one too, number 10847. Looks like a lot of their numbers are coming from us. Keep up good work.

Thanks for signing the Petition to Roll Back FCC Media Ownership Rules.

Your signature brings the number of people who have signed this petition to 10894.

Done and done.
glad to be one of the silent (usually) majority.

DONE!

10934

Shit, the RIAA's website is busted again

Damnit. Just when I wanna read some good propaganda.

11004 and counting...

signed it! *_* woo hoo!

signed it # 11027 YEE HAW

11034 yeah Riaa site is down ;o)

chock up another un!

Done and done!

# 11057

Done and done!

# 11057

Get a clue! (and grow up while you are at it). There is such a thing as reality, and you all have missed the boat entirely. If you'd stop listening to these fear mongers who want nothing more than to *control* your options (via the point of a government gun) you might learn something. It is difficult to understand why people actually believe that smothering nanny-state regulations will provide *anything* other than government-sanctioned entertainment (like it used to be--with three government approved options).

The goal is freedom--not nanny-state censorship and tyranny.

http://www.cato.org/dispatch/09-12-03d.html#3

"Adam Thierer, Cato's director of telecommunications studies, called the FCC rule "a modest tweaking of existing regulations and standards." He said: "Talk of mythical media monopolies and an end to 'diversity' and 'localism' in broadcasting represent scare tactics with no basis in reality. Information and entertainment cannot be monopolized, especially in an age of breakneck technological change."

In "The Big Media Boogyman", Thierer writes: "Even as the underlying business structures and relationships in this industry continue to change, the one undeniable reality of our modern media marketplace is that information and entertainment are commodities that cannot be monopolized."

"In reality, the media are less concentrated and more competitive today than they were 30 years ago. And consumers are unambiguously better off. Consider two families, circa 1973 versus 2003, and the media and entertainment options available to them. The 1973 family could flip through three major network television stations, or tune in to a PBS station or a UHF channel or two. By comparison, today's families can take advantage of a 500-plus channel universe of cable and satellite-delivered options, order movies on demand, and check out a variety of specialized news, sports, or entertainment programming -- in addition to those same three networks.

Or, these hypothetical families could just listen to the radio together. Seven thousand stations existed in 1970 nationwide to choose from. Today more than 13,000 stations exist and subscription-based music services are delivered nationwide and uninterrupted via digital satellite.

And then, of course, there's the Internet and the astonishing cornucopia of communications, information, and entertainment services the World Wide Web offers today's families. In the media Dark Ages of 1973, it would have taken a great deal of time and money to publish your own newsletter. Today, the Internet gives every man, woman, and child the ability to be a one-person publishing house or broadcasting station, and communicate with the entire planet. Instead of going to the library to retrieve information, as our hypothetical 1973 family might have done, today the library comes to us as the Net puts a world of information at our fingertips. While the 1973 family could read the local newspaper together, today's families can view thousands of newspapers from communities across the planet.

And the list goes on: video recorders, DVD players, interactive TVs and cell phones, MP3 players, and a seemingly endless array of other portable/wireless computing and communications devices are available to us today that the families of 1973 only dreamed of, or saw in a "Star Trek" episode."

#11044
WALK THIS WAY, TALK THIS WAY

"Today, the Internet gives every man, woman, and child the ability to be a one-person publishing house or broadcasting station, and communicate with the entire planet."

This is exactly what the RIAA, the MPAA and the FCC are trying to prevent, especially if we are willing to do it without charging for it.

It is about control. We've taken it and we are not giving it back.

# 11173 damn we need more people to get up to 100,000 by the end of the week

11186 i belive...

11220 now.

I also wrote a rather extensive note to go along with my signature on the petition. Mostly it is about how free speech would be violated again as it had in the civil rights violations era of Kennedy.

11271. A government for the people, by the people.

11284

11297 keep spreading the word!!

11323

340,000 and counting, actually.

Don't forget, folks, this was in association with moveon.org, they've recieved over 340,000 signatures on the very same petition, so don't despair, MoveOn has you covered, too. The site has a neat picture of Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Trent Lott (R-MS) showing the first batch of signatures on Thursday.

www.moveon.org

MoveOn is a huge, huge grassroots organization frequented by millions of Americans, when the late Paul Wellstone was running for last year's elections MoveOn raised over $2million for his campaign in THREE DAYS.

Unfortunately, they don't do requests, so the RIAA issue is not on their agenda, but they are taking on the FCC and it is through mostly their (which is really our) efforts that these rollbacks are even on the floor.

I've always said that if MoveOn, the EFF, Boycott-RIAA, Webcaster's Alliance, Mediareform, and the Coalition of Recording Artists and all other like minded groups were to link to each other and form a massive coalition against the RIAA, the RIAA would see their own Hiroshima.

Bam!