Aim To Inform Colleagues on Wide Array of Media Policy Issues Currently Being Debated In Congress
Washington, DC - With Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently debating how to overhaul the nation's media policies, six Members of the U.S. House of Representatives today announced the formation of the Future of American Media (FAM) Caucus. Chaired by Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) along with co-chairs Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. David Price (D-NC), Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA), and Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the FAM Caucus will provide a venue where reasoned debate, expert analysis, and diverse points of view can come together to address critical media policy issues.
"I've been on the front line of these media issues for the last 15 years. Ever since the Reagan administration trashed the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, the accuracy, fairness, and balance of broadcast content has been in steep decline," said Rep. Slaughter who also serves as Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee. She continued, "The American public owns the airwaves. This new Caucus will continually remind the public, the press, the Congress, and the broadcasters of that simple undeniable fact until we get the kind of media that a great democracy needs and deserves."
The FAM Caucus is composed of House Members who believe in an accountable, diverse, fair, and independent media. The Caucus is open to Members of both parties and it neither supports nor opposes any particular industry stakeholder. Currently, the FAM Caucus consists of 12 House Members. The FAM Caucus' goal is to educate Members and staff about media issues before Congress and to ensure that all parties - especially the American public - have a chance to participate in the vital debate over media policy.
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