LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- A public meeting in Los Angeles organized by the National Latino Media Council revealed widespread public dissatisfaction with the media, a report says.
More than 250 people attended the 4-1/2-hour meeting at the University of Southern California. Federal Communications Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein heard complaints concerning the decline of in-depth news coverage, lack of quality children's programming and lack of diversity of viewpoints, the Los Angeles Times said.
Speakers included labor leaders, members of Congress, librarians and other citizens who said corporations were reneging their responsibilities to serve the public interest.
One speaker, Dave Adelson, compared trying to find quality programming to looking for a balanced meal in a vending machine. "You can get anything you want, except nutrition," Adelson said.
Media consolidation is believed to be at the core problem, the Times said. The federal agency is expected to vote on media ownership rules next year. There was massive protest from consumer groups when the issue arose in 2003.
Copps and Adelstein were the only two commissioners to attend the Thursday meeting, although all five were invited. Other hearings are scheduled to be held in New York, Chicago and Austin, Texas, this year.
