O'Leary Report: FCC Chairman Copps and Diversity Committee Chairman Rivera Talk of Bringing Race War to Broadcast Corporations

O'Leary Report: FCC Chairman Copps and Diversity Committee Chairman Rivera Talk of Bringing Race War to Broadcast Corporations

WASHINGTON, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission's "Diversity Committee," chaired by Fairness Doctrine proponent Henry Rivera, made it clear that they were going force the President's supporters into positions of power within the broadcast industry.

FCC Chairman Michael Copps forcefully denounced the current racial and gender make-up of the broadcast industry and called its lack of diversity "a shameful state of affairs." Copps then asked the Committee: "Is it any wonder that minorities are so often stereotyped and caricatured and that the positive contributions of the minority community are so often overlooked?"

Copps told Committee members, many of whom represent left-leaning activist groups such as the National Urban League, the Asian American Justice Center and One World Economy: "Be bold. Take these issues and run with them. This is not a ceremonial appointment. This is your chance to make a real and lasting difference. I hope that you will set an aggressive agenda for yourselves and that you will not hesitate to propose aggressive solutions."

Many in the broadcast industry fear the Committee will do just that, and work to shut down conservative talk radio in the name of "diversity."

Before handing the microphone to Diversity Committee Chairman Henry Rivera (who, as an FCC Commissioner during the Reagan administration worked to preserve the so-called "Fairness Doctrine"), Copps had strong words for the many who fear the Committee will resurrect Fairness Doctrine-type discrimination and censorship, saying such people are attempting to "deflect this country's passage to equal opportunity" and their "issue-mongering has no place in twenty-first century America."

At no time was any mention made of a recent Zogby poll that shows 66% of American voters opposed the creation of advisory committees designed to promote diversity in the broadcast industry.

When it was Rivera's turn to speak to the Committee, he issued an ominous warning to his fellow colleagues, reminding them: "The public is here and the press is here so you might want to keep that in mind as you formulate your thoughts." (In other words: Watch what you say and do in public.) So much for the Obama administration's pledge for open and accountable government.

Rivera's warning was especially ill-timed, as it came prior to a talk on full disclosure requirements, delivered by FCC Office of General Counsel representative Paula Silberthau, advising Committee members that any communication between them and the FCC regarding rulemaking or legislation must be documented and filed, as required by the "sunshine" requirements of Federal Advisory Committee Act.

At no time did Copps or Rivera explain the process of how members of the committee were selected, or why conservative groups were not represented on the Committee. The O'Leary Report has requested copies of any emails, letter, or phone conversations between Copps and Rivera over the push to force American broadcast corporations to hire more minority employees.

Rivera said that the Diversity Committee would begin making recommendations to the FCC on how to implement a "full file review" of broadcasters, which would require broadcasters to submit reports that include details such as race and gender make-up of their companies. According to the committee, broadcasters will begin submitting race and gender data to broadcasters this November, and then every two years after that.

The Diversity Committee and the FCC would then analyze this data, and according to Rivera, if it is apparent that a "race-neutral" policy approach is not working, "the commission could move into a race-based rulemaking procedure." In other words, the FCC would establish a quota system for broadcast licensees.

In his bestselling book, "Shut Up, America! The End of Free Speech," author Brad O'Leary warns that the FCC may look to shorten the broadcast license renewal period from 8 years to 2 years, thus forcing broadcasters to comply with diversity mandates immediately, or jeopardize their license.

Brad O'Leary is publisher of "The O'Leary Report," a bestselling author, and is a former NBC Westwood One talk show host. His new book, "Shut Up, America! The End of Free Speech," is now in bookstores. To see more poll results, go to www.olearyreport.com. To interview Brad, contact Shawna Shriner at (703) 272-1500 or shawnashriner@pm-direct.com.

Source: The O'Leary Report

CONTACT: Shawna Shriner, +1-703-272-1500, shawnashriner@pm-direct.com,
for The O'Leary Report

Web Site: http://www.olearyreport.com/

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