Our democracy needs a diverse, open, independent media -- not a few mega conglomerates controlled by a wealthy few.
The media don’t only inform us, they are often responsible for framing important issues like healthcare, economic justice, and immigration. That’s why it is important that a diverse array of voices are included in the conversation. When traditional media and social media platforms are owned by a small number of corporations, it narrows the available perspective and stifles the investigative journalism that our democracy depends on. And, it makes it harder for people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community to make themselves heard.
Media mergers are continuing at a frantic pace, and the effects of these consolidations have had a devastating impact on local news. The FCC’s deregulatory actions and its willingness (along with the Department of Justice) to rubber-stamp mergers have spurred the race to consolidation. As this continues to happen, local newsrooms are shuttered and thousands of journalists are fired, investigative reporting is on life support, and millions of Americans are left out of the democratic process.
Common Cause is working to put the brakes on media monopolization by pushing for innovative reforms that put everyday people first and help to ensure there are diverse voices in our media ecosystem.