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A message from the President of the Creators Federation
We have just completed a Strategic Power Analysis of the Information Industry. Note that important definition: Information Industry. Today, that industry combines all forms of content
creation (movies, print, music, graphics) with navigation technology (software) and
distribution channels (broadcast, radio, telephone, Internet, cable, and wireless). This
industry has been quick to exploit the profit potential of digital technology, and as quick
to implement a collection of Draconian business practices before creators realized what
was happening.
Because creative workers as a group lack unity and coordination, it has not been difficult for the Information Industry to
neutralize the bargaining power of its content creators, usurp their rights, and ravage
their livelihoods.
That of course is the mission of the Creators Federation —a structure that would try to focus the amazing energies,
knowledge and resources of the multitude of organizations that work
to defend the creators of our culture. Please feel free to download the Strategic Power Analysis. Let us know your thoughts.
Please also take a moment to read the Federation’s
Mission and Plan.
We look forward to hearing from you and working on
the issues we care about to advance the economic interests of all
creators.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Tasini
President and Executive Director
P.S. If you would like to assist in the mission of enhancing the economic
security of creators, please consider making a donation to the Federation’s work.
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 Hot
Link-FCC
On January 27, 2005, the
U.S. Solicitor General (the Administration's legal advocate) annnounced that it would not appeal the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decision in Prometheus Radio Project vs. Federal Communications Commission to the Supreme Court. That decision threw out the FCC rules issued in June 2003 that would have significantly loosened media ownership caps.
This was a big victory for the forces opposed to consolidation in the Information Industry. The FCC under outgoing Chairman Michael Powell, had significantly relaxed rules on media cross-ownership. Large Information Industry owners want
to be able to own and control all the news and information
in a single city or town—cable, television, radio, newspapers
and Internet. Such consolidation means a tougher economic
climate for all creators.
Many of CF’s colleagues are doing outstanding work in
mobilizing opposition to any weakening of the cross ownership
rules. The Newspaper Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Free Press are among the important voices on this issue. You can search for Information Industry ownership issues at the Center for Public Integrity. You can read a background report commissioned by the Department of Professional Employees, comprised
of all the AFL-CIO-affiliated creators’ organizations,
on media ownership rules, "Democracy
Unhinged: More Media Concentration Means Less Public Discourse—A
Critique of the
FCC Studies on Media Ownership"
Download the Report
Cover
Download the Report
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