Media Consolidation

A Message From Congressman Bernie Sanders The media plays a crucial role in our democracy in providing objective and unbiased points of view. Since Congress passed the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the United States has seen an enormous upsurge in media consolidation that has led to the increased homogenization of what Americans see, hear, and read. Profit has eclipsed traditional concern for the public's interest and brought with it a host of consequences. Minority programming, seen as less appealing to advertisers, has become increasingly under-represented. Budgets for investigative journalism have been reduced turning reporters into unofficial mouthpieces for the decision makers they are supposed to challenge. Programs with violent and sexual content have become pervasive while local radio has been replaced with formulaic one-size-fits-all content delivered from corporate headquarters thousands of miles away. As a result, middle class Americans hear less and less about the issues that affect them such as the outsourcing of jobs, a livable wage, and affordable healthcare. Lost in all this is the fact that the public airwaves belong to its citizens - not corporations. Congressman Sanders has been a leader in Congress against media consolidation. Come back to this section frequently to learn the latest on what's happening with big media and attempts reign them in. Read more: Who owns what