Friend,

Why are women and people of color so often depicted in stereotypical terms in the news media — or ignored altogether? The fact that media companies are nearly all led by white men could certainly have something to do with it.

The FCC has an obligation to promote a diversity of voices. But under Trump and FCC Chairman Pai, the agency is determined to ignore this mandate to clear the way for runaway media consolidation — and it’s formally petitioned the Supreme Court to give it the permission it needs.

We have consistently beaten the FCC in court to stop media consolidation, but to have the resources we need for a Supreme Court battle, we need your help.

Donate today to promote diversity in the news media and help us keep fighting the FCC in court.

In response to our legal challenges, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has told the FCC — four times — that the agency can’t repeal its ownership rules unless it’s first examined how any changes would impact ownership opportunities for women and people of color.

But the FCC doesn’t care. In 2017, the agency weakened its media-ownership limits without so much as a minimal analysis of how that would affect ownership opportunities for women and people of color. We sued the FCC in court and won in 2019. But the agency won't give this up.

Will you donate today to help ensure we can continue this fight for as long as it takes?

In the midst of this global pandemic, a diversity of perspectives and access to local news and information are more important than ever before. The guidance and lockdowns are changing quickly and in many places differ from one town to the next. But we’ve seen decades of rampant media consolidation that has led to less diversity, journalist layoffs, shrinking newsrooms and a focus on nationally syndicated news above what is happening in communities. That’s putting us all at risk.

We will keep fighting the FCC in court, but we can’t do it without your help — donate to support this important work today.

With gratitude,

Candace and the rest of the Free Press Action team
freepress.net

P.S. Stereotypical media depictions have real-life consequences for communities of color, including discriminatory hiring practices, biased treatment in courtrooms and doctors’ offices, and police brutality. We need more diversity in media ownership, not more consolidation among a group of owners who are nearly all white men. Help us stop the FCC from throwing away its own diversity requirements.