FOX News spreads conspiracy theories to sell ads while attacking the FCC - the federal agency that regulates media outlets like FOX.
"The FCC is currently deadlocked at 2-2 preventing it from fighting propaganda. President Biden nominated Gigi Sohn in 2021, a highly qualified, lifelong public advocate. Her nomination passed through the Senate Commerce Committee in March, setting up a full confirmation vote. But that's stalled as she has been the victim of a relentless and unabashed smear campaign by Republican senators, tech companies, and even former Democrats". - Daily Dot
"Sohn has faced an ugly and coordinated right-wing media smear campaign, which has been on full display in the Op-Ed pages of The Wall Street Journal and on Fox News, which are both owned by Rupert Murdoch. She’s a regular target on Fox TV, Breitbart and the Right Wing media ecosystems." - FreePress
This blog explains how Media & Democracy Project, a grassroots group is mobilizing support for her nomination by exposing the dark money fighting her nomination and encouraging supporters to call their Senators to confirm Gigi.
Fight FOX Propaganda
Mobilizing supporters
Media And Democracy Project needed a simple way to explain what was going on at the FCC and what supporters should do. They created an Action Button which combines a 45 second video, with a short description and a call to action button which lets supporters call their Senator with just one click. An ACTION BUTTON consists of a link like https://actionbutton.live/ConfirmGigi which works on phones, tablets and laptops.
Build Back Better USA
Build Back Better USA is a national grassroots organization engaged in civic, electoral and legislative efforts to preserve and improve our democracy. Our information environment is a prime focus - fighting disinformation, producing effective messaging, promoting local journalism, and creating opportunities for activists and ordinary citizens to engage our government through communications, actions and interactions with each other, as well as with our elected officials. Build Back Better USA and the Media and Democracy Project collaborate in our Fox Action Project to provide you with actionable items, insights, and chances to discuss the ways in which our media manipulates people, particularly as it pertains to Rupert Murdoch's Fox Network.
Media And Democracy Project
Media And Democracy Project (MDP) promotes civic engagement with the media reform movement in the United States, as meeting the critical information needs of citizens is an essential bulwark of an inclusive, representative democracy. We fight for truth, context and transparency in journalism. It counters disinformation, support local and non-profit journalism, and spread pro-democracy messaging.
Create an advocacy video
A 40 second video was created with the free iMovie app with images of FOX News propaganda and a video of a coordinated disinformation campaign Sinclair Broadcasting channel hosts parroting FOX talking points. The soundtrack of the video is from Johnny Cash' "God is Going To Strike You Down".
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Go tell that long tongue liar. Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Call to Action
MDP had two calls to action for supporters. This was entered into a Google Doc along with the phone numbers of the Senators to call. Viewers can see the 40 second video, read the background information and immediately click on the Call to Action Button to call their Senator. Fast and Furious. Here are the NDP Directions:
"First, call the offices of Cortez Masto, Kelly, Sinema, and Manchin. It does not matter if you are not a resident of the state they represent. Decisions made by the FCC affect everyone across the nation. You have a right to be heard.
Second, call the senators representing your state. It doesn't matter if they are red or blue.
Senator Mark Kelly (AZ):(202-224-2235
Senator Kyrsten Sinema (AZ): 202-224-4521
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV): 202-224-3542
Senator Joe Manchin (WV): 202-224-3954
Capitol Switchboard to reach any senator: 202-224-3121
Tell them you support her and you’d like to hear them make a public statement of their support:
Script: My name is [your name]. I’m asking Senator [their name] to push for a full senate vote on Gigi Sohn for the FCC NOW! She is the right person for the job. Sohn is a strong public advocate for net neutrality, data privacy, and media diversity, issues important for every American. I’m also asking the senator to make a public statement of their support."
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the commission is the United States' primary authority for communications law, regulation and technological innovation. In its work facing economic opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly evolving advances in global communications, the agency capitalizes on its competencies in:
- Promoting competition, innovation and investment in broadband services and facilities
- Supporting the nation's economy by ensuring an appropriate competitive framework for the unfolding of the communications revolution
- Encouraging the highest and best use of spectrum domestically and internationally
- Revising media regulations so that new technologies flourish alongside diversity and localism
- Providing leadership in strengthening the defense of the nation's communications infrastructure
TakeAway: Don't let billionaires stop the FCC from regulating dangerous FOX propaganda. Mobilize support to confirm Gigi Sohn to the F.C.C.
Deepak
DemLabs
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