City opposes media consolidation

Amid escalating international tensions and the start of war, Philadelphia City Council has clearly demonstrated that it considers the First Amendment an important priority.

Yesterday morning's weekly City Council session continued the trend of addressing issues of civil liberties as Councilman David Cohen introduced a successful resolution "urging the Federal Communications Commission to protect and preserve its ban on cross-ownership of print and electronic media."

The resolution, which was passed 13-3, also urges Congress "to exercise its oversight in the area of federal communications policy" by holding public hearings and legislating against further media consolidation.

"Ever since the Daily News and the Inquirer merged under Knight Ridder so that we have a monopoly of newspapers in the city, it seems to me clearly that the quality of the news has gone downhill," Cohen said.

While it is currently illegal for electronic media such as television and radio to be owned by the same organization that owns print media, "there is a real effort made by our friend the president to change that," Cohen continued.

He noted that changes in these laws would allow the purchase of Philadelphia's KYW radio station by Knight Ridder Corporation, which is "trying to monopolize totally the major news sources in Philadelphia."

Referring to the recent declaration of war, Cohen called for "extreme vigilance for security... but also for the civil liberties of the people."

"The war must not be used as an instrument for curtailing people's rights," he said.

Cohen stressed the danger of extensive media consolidation, especially during war, as it places one person or institution "in an impossibly powerful position to influence the public."

Cohen's remarks were met with the thunderous applause of about 200 audience members crammed into the temporary council chambers. Many of those present were representatives of anti-war groups, hoping to witness the introduction of Councilman Angel Ortiz's anticipated resolution against the USA PATRIOT Act.

Councilman Brian O'Neill, City Council's Republican minority leader, raised his voice in opposition as he did two weeks ago when Ortiz spoke against the Patriot Act.

"I was going to vote for this resolution," O'Neill said. "But now that I know it's more of a frontal attack to separate people and to make accusations... I'm convinced it's something we shouldn't be involved in, so I'm going to vote no."

O'Neill's remarks were met with clear disapproval from those in the audience.

"What are you talking about?" called one angry voice, followed by a chorus of "Yeah!"

The resolution seemed to cause some confusion among City Council members, which Cohen tersely cleared up.

"If you think Knight Ridder ought to control everything, then you're going to vote against the resolution. If you believe in free speech, then you're going to support the resolution," he said.

O'Neill again issued his "respectful disagreement," expressing his firm belief that City Council ought not to second-guess Congress with far less information in its possession. The audience expressed such outrage in response that City Council President Anna Verna had to call for order several times.

Other City Council members, including Marian Tasco and Ortiz, expressed the necessity of letting "Washington know how we feel about legislation."

After the vote on the resolution, which passed on a roll-call vote to much applause, the crowd exited chambers chanting, "Defend our freedom! Protect our rights!" and proceeded to stage an impromptu rally in the hallway, led by members of the local anti-war group Unite for Peace. Ortiz briefly left the council session to participate.

Cohen "is amazing," said Evan Hoffman, a sophomore at Temple University, who attended the meeting with other members of anti-war group Not In Our Name. "He represents the people of Philadelphia.... It's not telling Congress what to do.... It's just telling them what we think."

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