Protests across the country today against Clear Channel, the symbol of media consolidation.

“No More Clear Channel! Stop the FCC Media Giveaway” — that’s the cry today with the deadline for the FCC vote on new media regulations just days away.

While Secretary of State General Colin Powell led the U.S. invasion against Iraq, his son, Michael Powell, was clearing the way for further consolidation of the media in the U.S.

Protest actions are planned today in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Portland Oregon and Pittsburgh against the new rules which would threaten independent voices in broadcast radio and television.

But what is Clear Channel?

Since the most recent FCC vote in 1996 to ease media ownership rules in the radio industry, Clear Channel has grown from a small-time operator of 40 stations to the nation’s largest radio station owner, with more than 1,200 stations.

• Eric Boehlert, senior writer at Salon.com who has written extensively about Clear Channel Communications and its impact on the deregulation of media ownership rules.

Link:

Salon.com