Z man, my new, bold boss. I want to buy this guy a beer.

It was a harsh, but TRUE comment about the bloated "motherfuckers" who have been running this place into the ground. Zell may not have all the answers in saving this kind of struggling business, but at least he's playing a fair game. There are dozens of young, underpaid people (hint, hint) here who could make a huge difference for the mighty, amazing Tribune Company. So the man should get rid of those old, scavanging, dinosaur motherfuckers and start afresh!
Watch the video, it is sweet.
And FYI for anyone reading - according to some cocky, NERDY, bloggers out there - my feeble attempt at a blog, in the words of Sam Zell, "FUCK YOU!" Your blogs suck at best. At least I don't rant about myself online like you dickheads. Ehhemmm...
Now back to The Zell Show...

Zell is swell

This is one of many articles covering the "news" about Sam Zell's new handbook for Tribune employees. I can tell you first hand, this is going to be one wild ride working here, he's definitely the kind of guy who thinks outside the box. And I love that... For any Tribune tower visitors, we now have a jukebox in the cafeteria and a pinball machine on L2.

Staying busy

Martin stays on Comcast, cable companies to ensure healthy competition.

Fuller nailed it

I could not agree more with this piece. And Fuller doesn't even work at the Tribune anymore, he just needed to make a great point. And he did.

FCC to waiver restrictions for Mother T.

Three of the five FCC members (all republicans) voted are allowing the Zell/Tribune deal to go through...

Copps a great speaker, goes to media convention to talk with young journalists 10/26/07

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps is a great speaker, and three weeks ago proved he's not always giving a speech to angry mobs against media consolidation. He made it a point to offer his views about media of yesterday, today, and tomorrow at the annual ACP College Media Convetion that took place in Washington.
"I'm worried about the state of media, and media consolidation," said Copps. He further discussed how important it was to pay attention to what media giants are doing with the PUBLIC airwaves.
"People own the airwaves," said Copps. He gave a few examples of current problems under the radar. "We have to pay attention to things like signal overlapse."
He added not foreseeing blogs or newer forms of independent media saving the day, and thought Newspapers are still going to be a strong media force in years to come.

From Bill Moyer's Journal

This is a good piece.

Hell Froze Over: FCC is finally coming to Chi-town!

What timing. What a great spot for a hearing, with everything going on in Chicago (Tribune bought by Zell etc...) What will happen? I'm going, who wants to join me?...

GOOGLE to enter the spetrum, will this benefit consumers as they say?

Ending the era of bland commercial radio and tv

Localism on FCC's agenda

Speak out now!...If you want to go to or live in Portland. I'm out.

Diversity Diminishing?

This is great

Keep looking out for us all, Copps

Great Points Made Against Regulation For TV Violence

This is a great article, because the Cable Execs aren't simply complaining about how they may lose money if this ridiculous bill can pass, but are addressing key issues about our rights as consumers, and as free citizens.
I have to keep emphasizing; adults should be the ones regulating what children can watch, not government. Hell in a handbasket is the phrase if the FCC is allowed to regulate any further. I'm an example. My folks let me play with toy guns, watch action movies and television, even let me blast Appetite For Destruction and I was only 11. I'm fine, I don't want to hurt anyone, I may sware occassionally (about the FCC), but I'm fine. Violent images DO NOT cause anyone to do anything. There is some other factor involved they should look into, and its not the FCC's job, yet, to discover what "causes" violence. We do not understand enough about this to point fingers at media and arts. FCC: don't use this as a scapecoat so you can appear to be doing your jobs. This is not your issue.

FCC is really pushing to legislate tv violence regulation

This may not seem like that big of a deal to some, but as this article points out, passing this kind of bill would give the FCC so much more authority. And why? Do they really have any solid proof that states tv violence strongly influences real-life situations? Again, no way!

Does TV Cause Real Violence? Nah...

I agree with this article. Our freedom to express is far too important to allow for the FCC to simply "prove" that TV violence causes real violence, and therefore regulate violence on tv.

Live @ Tribune Tower

Today, details regarding Tribune's deal with Zell are being discussed at the Tribune Tower. Many questions have come up about how much the FCC would be involved during this transaction; these questions about ownership and regulation have yet to be addressed properly, or fully answered. Hmmmm... I'll be following up if I hear more! You can listen in at the link.

Don't buy analog sets

We're going digital all the way. Although I bet there are still tons of folks out there with rabbit ears-signals.

They are not scientists

Bush appointed Martin. Bush is no scientist. Neither is Martin. Bottom line is that The FCC board members are not THAT educated. They are not experts. Furthermore, my point here, is that with all the technological advances in communication now coming into existence, who is to say the FCC knows what the hell they are doing with any of this stuff? They are creating rules and regulations for cable companies, media giants, and ISP's as if they invented this stuff. They are politicians. It drives me nuts when they act like they know what is best. We should have more say in who will do this job. The president shouldn't appoint the Chairman of the FCC. It doesn't make sense, especially when we have a president who is constantly working to bend and change the laws we abide by. While the average citizen doesn't really think about the FCC on a daily basis, if they knew how much power the commission has, they may pay more attention.
I'm just saying.

FCC Occassionally Flexible; Depends On Situation

Who Should Govern What Kids Can Watch?

The FCC is still asking congress to legislate limits on tv violence, and the argument still stands whether or not this should be a parental responsibility or handled by the government.
I think the p's should be the ones making the call. I don't think the studies FCC Chairman Martin suggests prove anything. My friends and I watched violent tv, cartoons, movies, played with GI Joes, you name it, and have yet to be influenced negatively...

Cross-ownership In FCC Crosshairs? Hopefully Its For Real This Time.

Whether the news is printed or broadcasted, having one company own it all definitely affects what becomes important information, and having fewer perspectives causes a far less intellectual response to the news. That is scary.
So what will the FCC do about cross-ownership? Nothing yet, but they are listening - Copps and Adelstein are listening and this is what they are hearing - while the little guys (local, small business media companies) say that cross-ownership is killing their business, the bigger guys (media executives) argue that lifting ownership limits would help companies compete on new media platforms (because the greedy bastards forgot to invest in internet technologies 10 years ago - they were too busy buying 20th century medium. I'm typing this at home so I should be okay!)
Giving the bigger guys more, hmmm... how will this help the guys who are not only losing money, but the entire business, to the bigger companies?
Get rid of cross-ownership. Media should do big things, not be big.

Time To Speak Out Again

Its in Tampa. Who is going? They should come to Chicago. There is plenty of cross-ownership here!

The Democrats Are Definitely for The People

People, young people, should really appreciate what we have, and what is at stake. It is all under the radar, because those telling the story everyday are those whose empires are in jeopardy.

Like Education, Our Broadband Plan Ranks Low, Globally

ISP's are holding the country back from having a solid broadband policy, and the FCC is letting them. Companies like AT&T and Verizon should not receive government suppport if you ask me, I'm just saying.

I Am Not Alone. Sweet.

Simmons Wants Everyone To Clean It Up

From AP:

"Expressing concern about the "growing public outrage" over the use of such words in rap lyrics, Simmons said the words "bitch,""ho" and "nigger" should be considered "extreme curse words."

Thanks, Russell. However, where was this "growing public outrage" before Imus's remarks? Why didn't you say anything before that?

I'm curious. If a black radio host called a white girl's basketball team dumb, blond, tramps (or something nasty) would anyone care? Would there be a growing, public outrage? Could we call the Jackson/Sharpton squad to step up?

The Imus Virus

It appears as if what Don Imus said three weeks ago just won't die. People! Whether on-air, at work, or making a hip-hop cd, don't say the "H" word! In NYC, three minority police officers claim that their superiors called them hos.

The Public Cares About Public Domain

Its not like global warming is the issue, however, all those working for the U.S. government should follow the rules and laws (yeah, right). It appears as if Adelstein and Copps (the dems) care, but the rest act like the FCC is a club and they can do whatever they want. Well IT ISN'T, as Commissioner Copps points out in his op-ed:

"Three years ago, a majority at the FCC voted - over the strong objections of my colleague Jonathan Adelstein and me - to scrap many of the ownership limits. They did so without seeking the input of the American people."
Copps adds that at that time, 3 million people contacted the FCC in opposition to the scrapping of the limits.

News flash; the FCC still wants to scrap ownership limits. But they can't do it if we don't want them to; and while some people I talk to don't know what the FCC even means, this is an important issue.
Bottom line is, it is our spectrum, and the FCC should do what we tell them. You can in Tampa on April 30th.

They need to tour more.

My Film

There should be more of these at more locations

Reinventing The Wheel: Bad taste isn't illegal

From 1970 - 2004 The FCC dished out tons of fines, all of them had something to do with indecency, some kind of sexual discussion or sexually explicit behavior. None of the fines were based on anything racial. I ask this. If what Don Imus said was so terrible, so offensive to so many, what good is the FCC if they don't have a fine for something like this? Should't they have one? Hold that thought. The flipside to this coin is that Imus said nothing wrong. If the FCC doesn't fine him, did he do anything wrong? It bothers me that this branch of government has done nothing. That is why they exist. They should be taking notes. Instead, they are sitting back, not getting their hands dirty.

FCC Where Are You?

From my earlier post, I didn't address what really counts... I still want to know where the hell the FCC is regarding the Imus comment. They showed their stuff fining Janet Jackson's nipple $550K during the superbowl; they fined Mancow Muller $60K for discussing the taste of semen on-air; and they fined Stern $2 MILLION for god knows how much he said in one year. Then Don Imus makes a horrible comment during a simulcast and the media, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have tantrums, Imus gets fired, and that's it? That's not right. FCC where are you? Where is the hefty fine? Why aren't you doing your job? Because Powell is gone? Now that Powell is out you've taken this sideline-referee stance. I was no fan of Powell, nor the FCC, but this, this is rubbish. Its YOUR JOB to deal with these issues. I don't agree with many of your decisions, but get on it. Was what Imus said not in this category of fines?
Hello?
What are you doing for the people? This is why you exist!!! Please do your job so Jackson and Sharpton don't do it for you, or us.

I Must Imus

Free speech... If you haven't read ANY news in the past week and a half, then you didn't read about radio/TV personality Don Imus, who made some remarks about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team, calling them, "nappy-headed ho's". The media, with the aid of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, served Imus up like Thanksgiving dinner, and now Imus is currently off-air, having been fired by Les Moonves (CBS). Here's what bothers me; yes, it is a horrible thing to say about anyone, but when the team was interviewed and said they were so offended, it was hard to believe. The response came off like they actually watched Imus's show or something! Give me a break. Was the team even listening? No. Did anyone who was offended actually listen to that broadcast, or would they have tuned in? NO. This was so overdone, overjudged, overplayed by media.
Moonves (CBS) only took action because of advertisers threatening to pull out. It had nothing to do with "the right thing to do". Even Sharpton admitted this on Real Time this weekend. Thoughts anyone?...Enlighten me... Lemme have it.

Will the FCC do what its supposed to in this deal? Doubtful if you ask me.

Its nice to see watchdogs watching the bigger dogs, but seriously, I doubt the FCC will prevent this deal from happening. Its a nice thought! Yes to localism, but come on, we've got a long way to go until they jump all over something like this. Companies like the Trib are just too damn big to be messed with. Prove me wrong and I'll get to editing...

Interesting situation. Will the FCC go after Zell?

The Tribune Company was "grandfathered" to avoid media regulation (crossownership of medium in one city etc.), and when they haven't been grandfathered in, they've fought the gov't in court simply because they could. However, now that Sam Zell will be taking over the company, will he be granted the same benefits the Tribune did? I think so...

Trains and automobiles, but no planes! Thank you.

Of course this has all been done to ensure that there is no communications interference during flights, but I've got to say I'm glad there is still one place on earth (err, not on earth) where you are free from cell phone jacka$$es!

Big Fun

Absolute Power

You don't mess with their rules, or they will destroy you. At least they let the company go private. What a favor...

And The Winner Is?...

This special section on the Post's website is great. Its old, but still interesting. It should be updated for 2006.

FCC All About Broadcaster's Compliance With The Rules

FCC To Discuss Digital Radio

Its almost here. Digital Radio, or IBOC (In Band, On-Channel) was approved for use a few years ago, and the FCC plans to discuss this new science in further detail on Thursday, March 22, 2007.

New peeps at the FCC

FCC Commission put in place by Congress

Nobody is perfect, everyone makes mistakes. Even the FCC. Recently, the commission attempted to approve the approval...

FCC Drops The Ball: Tribune asking to waiver ownership rules in LA

Its not all bad for Mother T here in Chicago. The Tribune Company was allowed some more time to sell KTLA 5 in Los Angeles due to a malfunction with the FCC's electronic filing system. And while the FCC rule states that no company can own a TV station and newspaper in the same city, the Tribune says it is somewhat of an outdated rule since there are now so many more outlets for consumers, and that owning both LA Times and KTLA 5 isn't the same advantage as it used to be.
In other Tribune news, real estate mastermind Sam Zell offered to buy the company for $13 billion. Hmmm....

Good point, Henry! I think they listened to you.

Now that I think about it...

...Now that I think about it, after reading a few blog entries about the FCC requiring these HUGE conglomerates to pay a measily $12.5 million for "indy air-time", it really doesn't amount to much. They should make these big monsters pay 10 times as much, and then we, the radio listeners, the public, may notice a difference as we tune in...

Want to use Morse? Tougher Testing For License.