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| "Statement of Commissioner Jonathan S. Edelstein." Jonathan Adalstein.Location: 1) Go to the following URL: http://www.fcc.gov/ownership/hearing-california100306.html 2) Under the "Related Documents" section, click on the link called "Adelstein Statement." 3) Select either Microsoft Word or PDF format to view or download.Pre-reading Question 1) Think about the programming that you see on television. Does it seem to proportionately represent the diversity of America? Does it look to you like "your" America? Journal Topics 1) Commissioner Adalstein discusses what he calls the "uninhibited marketplace of ideas." How important do you think this "marketplace" is to American Democracy? 2) According to this Statement, the entertainment industry comprises one sixth of the entire U.S. economy. What does that large of a financial figure being devoted largely to entertainment say about American society?Questions for Critical Thought 1) Adalstein says that because of consolidation, fewer women and "fewer African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans can use the public airwaves to contribute to our national experience." What may the long-term result of such restrictions do to the typical American's understanding and assumptions about alternative cultures? 2) According to Adalstein, democracy "requires the vibrant and free exchange of ideas, the constructive dialogue between divergent groups, and the analysis of political and controversial issues." If most television and radio stations are owned by just a few massive corporations, how are democracy's "requirements" threatened?Suggestion Personal Research 1) The article mentions the First Amendment of the Constitution. Read this amendment to determine what freedoms and rights are supposedly conferred by the First Amendment, and do research to find what controversies among legal scholars still exist over the interpretations of these freedoms and rights in society today. Multicultural Issues 1) This article mentions many popular American television shows, such as Star Trek, The Cosby Show, Roseanne, and That 70's Show. If you are from another country, what were some of the most popular shows there? How many of them were from the U.S.? 2) The FCC is supposed to protect and monitor the airwaves for the American public. If you are from a different country, what such regulatory body exists within the government there, if any? Compare the two. This answer will likely require some research.Vocabulary Terms consolidation deliberation precluding abridging facilitate disseminates participatory democracy abysmal vibrancy divergent |