Jello Biafra on Saving the Internet

Jello Biafra, punk rock musician and political activist, best known as the former lead singer of the Dead Kennedys recently described to an audience in Flagstaff, AZ how our rights to communicate are at risk. Here he is as posted on YouTube giving it out preacher style on net neutrality, and the possible effects of the dirty little secret known as the COPE act making it's way through Congress.

“…Jerry Falwell superhighway, independent media dirt road.”

Telemundo to Eliminate Local News Production

A press release issued by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) stated that NBC will eliminate local newscasts of several Telemundo stations including San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, San Jose, the Bay area, Denver, and Phoenix. Telemundo will instead produce half-hour newscasts from their studio in Fort Worth, Texas instead.

Is this the end of Spanish-language news programming locally produced in some of the largest spanish speaking cities in the United States. The corporate site for Telemundo promotes itself as as media affiliate that "connects with the community like no other network," and uses slogans such as "Hecho Para Ti (Made for you)" to promote itself.

According to the San Antonio River Authority, our city is one of the most flash-flood prone regions in North America. So if there is another major fllood here in San Antonio, or other natural disaster, and we need to notify the majority of our spanish speaking communities through the television we would first need to wait for someone in another city to produce the broadcast? Imagine being in New Orleans during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, and having to wait for someone in Oklahoma to tell you what was going on in your city.

Many Latino activists, and media professionals, are speaking up about the loss of local news in their cities. Recently, more than 400 people in California attended an FCC media ownership hearing to file their comments on media diversity, localism, media accountability, and media consolidation.

A recent 2006 study by FreePress offered these statistics:
-Minorities comprise 33 percent of the U.S. population, but own only 3.26 percent of all stations
-Latinos own 15 stations — 1.11 percent of all stations.
-Big media often ignores the issues and concerns that concern minority communities

Big media consolidation only kills diversity, localism and independence. Recycled cans and plastic bottles are great for the environment, but recycled news really sucks for everyone. The FCC is now accepting comments on its rulemaking regarding the ownership of radio, television stations, and newspapers. You can file your comment by going to FCC homepage, and by then choosing Docket 06-121.

"Go ahead, I'll wait"-Katt Williams

MIXI vs. MySpace

I was a bum online tonight unable to sleep, and I started to visit some other vlogs posted by buddies living somewhere else other than Texas. I've been neglecting MySpace for a few days, because I haven't felt inspired to post comments, check messages, or to see what's up.

When I get bored with what's going on here, or anywhere else I take a trip online. Checking out the cost of travel to cities I haven't been to, or I take some extra time to chat online with some friends I went to school with abroad to see where they have been. You can fly to New York, or you can go to London, Rome, or Sweden for the same price right now. Then what?

In Japan they have a social networking site just as popular as MySpace named Mixi. Just recently MySpace Japan went online to go one on one with the already popular Mixi.

I like the way Mixi looks already just because I'm not being asked to like the same Top 40 this-music-sucks offerings.

Hmmmmmm, I wonder what events, posting, and comments get posted. I'm too tired to look. In the meantime here is a soda commercial I came across while I was on Mixi looking at profiles. It's not the best soda commercial I've seen, but at the moment it really makes me want something fruity with bubbles set to a kitchy pop song. Ayumi Hamasaki is a popular japanese pop star with a talent for making catchy commercials. You find her online selling fruit chews to digital cameras. Going to sleep.