There has been a great deal of speculation regarding the deterioration of the quality of news as the result of media consolidation. Those polled work on the front lines of the very media news sources the vast majority of Americans get their news from and base their opinions, actions and futures on. This poll serves as a wake up call from those who deliver the news: that media consolidation adversely affects the lives of all Americans.  The FCC must stop catering to the interests of media conglomerates and focus on what is in the best interest of the public.

This is a time where the public has been severely critical of the quality and depth of news coverage.  The respondents to this poll describe newsrooms that are run under the heavy burden of the bottom line.  They repeatedly express their deep concern about incomplete reporting, abandonment of complex issues, solitary points of view and an over all decrease in quality. 

And they expect things to get worse if further media consolidation is permitted.  We know the public is worried and now we know they have reason to be.

It is not a time for the FCC to exacerbate the situation by persisting in the plan to relax the media ownership rules.  An overwhelming 79% of the media workers polled believe that allowing one company to own more news outlets will have a negative impact on their community and the country.  A lack of diversity and variety will result from the decisions affecting millions resting in the hands of a few powerful and influential companies. 

It has never been more important for the government to ensure the gates of information remain open to the American people so democracy can truly be exercised and the informed and educated voices of America are heard.