On October 31, Halloween, the FCC is holding the last of its public hearings on 'localism' in media. Free Press, [1] Prometheus Radio [2] and others will be holding a rally outside the FCC beginning at 9:00 am, that is expected to continue until the hearing begins.

We'd also like to point out that the Wednesday agenda also includes a "Second Report and Order" concerning local video franchises and incumbent cable companies. We expect that the FCC will issue the same order they did on behalf of the telephone companies last December, which placed greater restraints and limitations on municipalities in determining appropriate local video franchises for their communities. According to the ACM, NLC, NATOA and ACD; "the FCC is expected to rule that existing cable operators can, under certain circumstances, back out of key provisions in their current franchise contracts with local governments, renegotiate lower municipal fees, and reduce the benefits they currently provide to the public."

We find it deceptively ironic that in a hearing where the FCC will consider the larger issue of 'localism' in the media, they would also plan to issue an order that undermines the existence of one of the most local forms of media in the U.S., Public, Educational and Governmental Access Television.

We hope you can come out to the FCC on Halloween and join us! If you can't, please take time today to send the FCC a message. The ACM has prepared a letter you can sign and fax to the FCC (download as word doc [3]) and Stop Big Media has an email form [4]you can use to contact the FCC. Take a moment, do both, and tell others to do the same as well!

Thanks!