An attack on diversity?
FCC’s Copps & Adelstein oppose disparaging remarks from
shows in big media network
By DORIS ENRIQUEZ-MALABAD
WASHINGTON – Straight from their offices at the Federal Communications Commission,
Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein talked to Asian media through
telephone interview to provide light on issues of disparagement and ethnic media. They are
one in opposing the presence or inclusion of disparaging remarks in scripts from shows being
aired by big media network.
In particular, the Commissioners’ comments were sought following a series of protests held in
front of a San Diego branch of Starbucks by community advocates. They chose Starbucks
since it sits on the Board of ABC, the TV network where Desperate Housewives is being
shown. People, particularly Filipino-Americans, are protesting that segment of the show
where an actress insinuated that ‘medical diploma mills’ exist in the Philippines, indicating that
medical professionals from the Philippines are not properly educated as they claim.
“I think that that remark was inappropriate. Our country depends heavily on foreign-educated
and trained health care professionals, many of them come from the Philippines. I have high
regard for them, as even my family experienced quality service, genuine concern and
professionalism when my mother was sick and a Filipina nurse took care of her with all
compassion and care. It was inappropriate for the show to say things that are less than
complementary (for the medical professionals from the Philippines). It is such an unfortunate
incident,” Adelstein said.
“The contribution of Filipino-Americans in the U.S. health care system is huge. I have heard
from various groups that they do a good job. I think that the remark was a misrepresentation
on their contribution and I believe that we can talk about the good things that Fil-Am health
care professionals do instead. That is why I encourage you to not to rest until media
companies do something about it; I urge you to get on – even on grassroots level, and take
that message to your assemblymen, congressmen and senators,” said Copps.
Both the commissioners agreed that citizen action or grassroots action is important. As this is
an election year, they encouraged the people with such concerns to make candidates listen to
them through townhall meetings, debates and forums. According to them, FCC will welcome
petitions, especially coming from thousands of people, as these will signify how important the
issue is. They cited an incident in 2003 when the court over-turned an FCC ruling when,
among others, 3 million signatures were presented. “Let Congress listen to you,” they
urged.
According to Commissioner Copps, the incident on disparaging remarks in US media is just
one of the many issues affecting the minority population in the country. Other important
issues include minimal presence of diversity in big networks, local competition, media
consolidations – which all lead to the significance of a strong ethnic media ownership. “I
believe that diversity is the strength of America and media have to reflect on this and nourish
diversity,” Copps said.
“FCC, as a policy-making body, can listen to a public out-cry that shows that a certain issue
has a large impact on people. As FCC makes decision, this impact can be considered as public
interest is an important element in the agency, especially on matters like renewal of licenses of
the media networks. Public opinion can definitely weigh-in. Remember that First Amendment
demands that we serve the public interest,” adds Adelstein.
Finally, it all boils down to media ownership. According to Commissioners Adelstein and
Copps, there is a clear crisis at present in terms of lack of diversity. Media right now does not
reflect diversity that is America.
They said that FCC is trying its best to advance this cause, even planning to create a task
force to look into this. But public outcry is very important.
This interview was made possible through the efforts of Filipino American Leadership Council
(FALCON) and Mabuhay Alliance, a local organization that supports communities and small
businesses in the county. FALCON, on the other hand, is a coalition of major Filipino
American professionals, humanitarians, businesses, and socio-civic organizations in the United
States. FALCON serves as an advocacy group that works to safeguard, protect, and defend
the constitutional rights, honor, image, integrity and general welfare and interests of Filipino
Americans in the United States.
FCC’s Copps & Adelstein oppose disparaging remarks from
shows in big media network
By DORIS ENRIQUEZ-MALABAD
WASHINGTON – Straight from their offices at the Federal Communications Commission,
Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein talked to Asian media through
telephone interview to provide light on issues of disparagement and ethnic media. They are
one in opposing the presence or inclusion of disparaging remarks in scripts from shows being
aired by big media network.
In particular, the Commissioners’ comments were sought following a series of protests held in
front of a San Diego branch of Starbucks by community advocates. They chose Starbucks
since it sits on the Board of ABC, the TV network where Desperate Housewives is being
shown. People, particularly Filipino-Americans, are protesting that segment of the show
where an actress insinuated that ‘medical diploma mills’ exist in the Philippines, indicating that
medical professionals from the Philippines are not properly educated as they claim.
“I think that that remark was inappropriate. Our country depends heavily on foreign-educated
and trained health care professionals, many of them come from the Philippines. I have high
regard for them, as even my family experienced quality service, genuine concern and
professionalism when my mother was sick and a Filipina nurse took care of her with all
compassion and care. It was inappropriate for the show to say things that are less than
complementary (for the medical professionals from the Philippines). It is such an unfortunate
incident,” Adelstein said.
“The contribution of Filipino-Americans in the U.S. health care system is huge. I have heard
from various groups that they do a good job. I think that the remark was a misrepresentation
on their contribution and I believe that we can talk about the good things that Fil-Am health
care professionals do instead. That is why I encourage you to not to rest until media
companies do something about it; I urge you to get on – even on grassroots level, and take
that message to your assemblymen, congressmen and senators,” said Copps.
Both the commissioners agreed that citizen action or grassroots action is important. As this is
an election year, they encouraged the people with such concerns to make candidates listen to
them through townhall meetings, debates and forums. According to them, FCC will welcome
petitions, especially coming from thousands of people, as these will signify how important the
issue is. They cited an incident in 2003 when the court over-turned an FCC ruling when,
among others, 3 million signatures were presented. “Let Congress listen to you,” they
urged.
According to Commissioner Copps, the incident on disparaging remarks in US media is just
one of the many issues affecting the minority population in the country. Other important
issues include minimal presence of diversity in big networks, local competition, media
consolidations – which all lead to the significance of a strong ethnic media ownership. “I
believe that diversity is the strength of America and media have to reflect on this and nourish
diversity,” Copps said.
“FCC, as a policy-making body, can listen to a public out-cry that shows that a certain issue
has a large impact on people. As FCC makes decision, this impact can be considered as public
interest is an important element in the agency, especially on matters like renewal of licenses of
the media networks. Public opinion can definitely weigh-in. Remember that First Amendment
demands that we serve the public interest,” adds Adelstein.
Finally, it all boils down to media ownership. According to Commissioners Adelstein and
Copps, there is a clear crisis at present in terms of lack of diversity. Media right now does not
reflect diversity that is America.
They said that FCC is trying its best to advance this cause, even planning to create a task
force to look into this. But public outcry is very important.
This interview was made possible through the efforts of Filipino American Leadership Council
(FALCON) and Mabuhay Alliance, a local organization that supports communities and small
businesses in the county. FALCON, on the other hand, is a coalition of major Filipino
American professionals, humanitarians, businesses, and socio-civic organizations in the United
States. FALCON serves as an advocacy group that works to safeguard, protect, and defend
the constitutional rights, honor, image, integrity and general welfare and interests of Filipino
Americans in the United States.
FCC Commissioners Jonathan S. Adelstein and Michael J. Copps
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