Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the lack of diversity in our Nation's radio and television media ownership is a far cry from the reality in which we live. Multilingual and multicultural stations are critical to the fabric of communities all across this country, yet their access to the airwaves increasingly has been disappearing. It is clearly in the best interest of our democracy that media ownership reflects the wealth of this Nation's diversity. That is why today I pause to applaud Clear Channel and Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, MMTC, for their efforts to expand the diversity in media ownership with their recent partnership. Clear Channel has donated six radio stations to MMTC to use for training purposes and ultimately for sale to minority and women broadcasters. I am pleased to say that one of these stations is in my home State of New Jersey. Through this program, ``Radio Vision Cristiana,'' a minority broadcast company, has purchased WTOC, based in Newton, NJ, and will use the station to broadcast Hispanic religious programming. Diversity in media ownership enhances diverse perspectives and better serves the community as a whole. It provides a window into communities, into languages, views, and values that might otherwise be totally suppressed without those outlets.…”