Um So Why Does the FCC Have Debra Lee and a(nother) Bob Johnson Lackey on A Committee for "Diversity"?

I know y'all don't give a rip about the FCC and whatnot, but just an FYI :) THIS is who we (the FCC) entrusts the development of "Diversity" in the "Digital Age"? Don't you as a Black woman feel all warm and fuzzy that Debbie "You've Got to Do Better" Lee and Lisa Pickrum are on this committee? Oh I can feel the diversity oozing forth imminently.

Their idea of diversity is how many different positions a g-string clad Black woman can assume in a tawdry music video.Um let's see. . . Debbie Lee was part of the team that sold to Viacom and RLJ exists because they SOLD to Viacom... Let that marinate all up in the cerebral cortex for a moment.  And these two are supposed to be advising on increasing "diversity" ? Who do you think these two will be looking out for? I'm going to keep posting on this FCC stuff despite the fact that it apparently makes all of your eyes just glaze right over :) The behind the scenes shenanigans are like the world's greatest telenova. Intrigue, manipulation, betrayal, subterfuge, money, power, and glitz. No really. I'm serious.  They try to make it all boring and complicated and whatnot just to scare us away. Here are the details.

WASHINGTON — April 23, 2009: Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps has announced the full membership of the commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age. On the panel are:

Henry Rivera, Emma Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in Media (Chairperson)
Raul Alarcon Jr., Spanish Broadcasting System
Jenny Alonzo, Mio.TV
James M. Assey, Jr., National Cable Television Association
Geoffrey C. Blackwell, Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc.
Matthew Blank, Showtime Networks
Maria E. Brennan, American Women in Radio and Television
Kathy Brown, Verizon
Toni Cook Bush, Virgin Mobile
Alan B. Davidson, Google, Inc.
Ralph de la Vega, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets
Steve Hillard, Council Tree Communications
David Honig, Minority Media and Telecommunications Council
Rodney Hood, National Credit Union Administration
Ronald Johnson, Ronson Network Services
Debra Lee, BET Holdings, Inc. SATAN'S BRIDE
Jane Mago, National Association of Broadcasters
Robert Mendez, ABC Television Network
Marc H. Morial, National Urban League
Karen K. Narasaki, Asian American Justice Center
Melissa Newman, Qwest
Jake Oliver, Afro-American Newspapers
Susan K. Patrick, Patrick Communications
Lisa Pickrum, The RLJ Companies BOB JOHNSON'S LACKEY
Rey Ramsey, One Economy Corporation
Michael V. Roberts, Roberts Broadcasting Companies LLC
Andrew Schwartzman, Media Access Project
Anita Stephens Graham, Opportunity Capital Partners
Diane Sutter, Shooting Star Broadcasting
Charles Warfield, Inner City Broadcasting
James Winston, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters

If you are in DC today, you might want to drop by :) They are today. or you are supposed to be able to listen to the meeting online.

The Diversity Committee’s mission is to make recommendations to the FCC regarding
policies and practices that will further enhance the ability of minorities and women to participate in
telecommunications and related industries. Issues to be considered by the Committee will include,
but are not limited to, financial issues such as access to capital, transactional transparency, career
advancement, and the impact of new and emerging technologies on diversity issues. The Diversity
Committee is organized under, and will operate in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2 (1988). The committee is re-chartered through December
16, 2010.
“I am extremely pleased to announce the membership of this vital Advisory Committee,” Acting
Chairman Copps stated, “which will provide an important and independent voice for strengthening
our commitment to diversity. The sad truth is that the diversity of this great nation is not reflected
in the ownership of its media and telecommunications facilities. The time has come to chart a new
course, to roll up our sleeves and get to work to craft sustainable solutions. I would like the
Committee to convene as quickly as possible and, along with whatever priorities it has, to take up
two issues that I believe warrant immediate attention: (1) recommendations regarding the state of
past Commission Adarand studies and the nature, scope and methodology of any additional studies
or updates that are necessary; and (2) recommendations on a “full file review” process that the FCC
can implement on an interim basis and that builds on the work done by the prior Diversity
Committee.”
The Diversity Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting on May 7, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.,
Eastern Standard Time, in the Commission Meeting Room at the headquarters of the Federal
Communications Commission, TW-C305, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20554. The
meeting is open to the general public. Real Audio access to the meeting will be available at
www.fcc.gov/.

Comments

[LaJane Galt]

I saw the announcement, but no link.

This is a FACA committee. Participants may have to file disclosure reports. Even though they pull from various types of entities, a conflict of interest argument could be made.

[RevMamaAfrika]

Sis. Gina, such information is not boring (at least not to me) and is extremely important. As more and more media companies merge and/or file for bankruptcy, it is vitally important how we get access to critical information, information we need to make important decisions regarding our lives, our communities, etc.

True, in some cities, small towns, etc., across the U.S. there is small community based radio, Internet radio, small newsletters, newspapers, etc., but they are small and thus do not reach a large audience in a particular geographic area quickly. So, information gaps will continue and this deliberately designed information gap has serious consequences. I look forward to reading such updates from you in the future. God bless ya! :)

[Faith]

Lee is more like Bride of Frankenstein don't you think? Debra Leevil and all...that Boondocks episode will go down infamy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xErRQkPflcw

[Jacqui]

Just like everything else, it's just more of the same. It;s unfortunate that nothing new will emerge due to politics. I would have never knew a black women was at the head of programming until someone told me that it was. I was mortified to think that a black women would allow the programming that still exists on BET. I don't want to see anymore videos, I want to see more of cousin Jeff. It's a shame that he doesn;t get enough time on his shows because he is constantly having to cut off his guests just to make sure all the dialogue is heard, that saddens me. More videos, less news, what a way to give back Debra. Money is evil and that is why nothing will change.