Media Concentration

91ý

Media Concentration

"With growing concentration of media ownership, independent voices decrease and locally produced and locally relevant information, news, and cultural resources diminish. Libraries cannot ensure “the widest possible dissemination of information from diverse and antagonistic sources,” unless they counter the detrimental impact of media consolidation on the diversity of ideas and localism in their communities. When media consolidation restricts the creation and dissemination of multiple perspectives, the public no longer has a healthy, open exchange of information and ideas. In an era when democratic discourse is more essential than ever, the information system is out of balance. Libraries must provide forums—both physical and virtual—that create opportunities for individuals to engage in the open and balanced exchange of viewpoints and ideas."—Fostering Media Diversity in Libraries: Strategies and Actions (PDF)

| Media Concentration: Still Relevant 10 Years Later | Media Concentration: 91ý 2007 | 91ý Sources on Media Concentration | Additional Resources on Media Concentration: In the News, Who Owns the Media?, Background |

Media Concentration: Still Relevant 10 Years Later (2017)

Ten years ago, in June 2007, was prepared by the now-dissolved 91ý, Intellectual Freedom Committee Subcommittee on the Impact of Media Concentration on Libraries. From article "," by Jamie LaRue, director, 91ý Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Media Concentration: 91ý 2003–2007

Fostering Media Diversity in Libraries: Strategies and Actions (PDF) was prepared in June 2007 by the now-dissolved 91ý, Intellectual Freedom Committee Subcommittee on the Impact of Media Concentration on Libraries.

In June of 2003, when the Federal Communications Commission decided to relax a variety of media ownership regulations, many concerns were raised about media concentration, especially in those wanting to uphold the principles of diversity and localism.

At the 2003 Annual Conference, 91ý Council adopted , opposing rules changes related to media ownership caps and cross-ownership rules that would encourage further media concentration.

Following that Annual Conference, the IFC established the FCC Rules and Media Ownership Subcommittee. Subsequently, its name was changed to Impact of Media Concentration on Libraries. It was charged to examine the impact of these mergers on intellectual freedom, access to information, and diversity of opinion in local communities, and to review how libraries could counter the effects of media consolidation by identifying innovative ways that libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view.

To fulfill its charge, the subcommittee developed Fostering Media Diversity in Libraries: Strategies and Actions" (PDF). This guideline is designed to provide libraries, library consortia, and library networks with a centralized list of strategies and actions to help them fulfill one of their key responsibilities: to provide access to a diverse collection of resources and services. Special attention has been given to the acquisition of and access to small, independent, and alternative sources—including locally produced ones—in all formats: print, AV media, and electronic.

Having completed its charge, the Impact of Media Concentration on Libraries Subcommittee was dissolved at the 2007 91ý Annual Conference.

--information under heading Media Concentration: 91ý 2003–2007 is from "Media Concentration," prepared by the 91ý Office for Intellectual Freedom

91ý Sources on Media Concentration

(91ý Council Resolution)

Fostering Media Diversity in Libraries: Strategies and Actions (PDF)

, prepared by Nancy Kranich

, prepared by Nancy Kranich

, by Kathleen D. Rickert, in ACRL News, vol. 72, no. 1 (2011)

Additional Resources on Media Concentration: In the News, Who Owns the Media?, Background

Follow #mediaconcentration and #mediaconsolidation and #WhoOwnsTheMedia and #MediaOwnership

In the News

(Washington Post, August 9, 2018)

(LA Times, July 27, 2018)

(Boston Globe, June 12, 2018)

(Ars Technica, April 29, 2018)

(Broadcasting & Cable, April 26, 2018)

(Free Press, February 22, 2018)

(New York Times, April 2, 2018)

(PBS News Hour, April 2, 2018)

(Vox, April 4, 2018)

(Columbia Journalism Review, April 11, 2018)

Who Owns the Media?

Columbia Journalism Review

Free Press

Free Press

(Business Insider, Jun. 14, 2012)

(Youtube, 2015)

(Sandra Fulton, ACLU Washington Legislative Office, January 19, 2012)

, by Pew Research Center

Background

(Wikipedia)

(Wikipedia)

(PDF), by Mark Cooper, Director of Research, Consumer Federation of America Center for the Internet & Society, Stanford Law School Associated Fellow, Columbia Institute for Tele-information

(PDF), Washington, D.C. (October 2003)

(Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, 2003)