Document says Americans have right to quality, diversity in media

Published: 2005-05-17

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- About 150 groups, including a Catholic college and two Protestant denominational bodies, have already signed on to a Bill of Media Rights during the first week of its release. Introduced May 9 in Washington, the statement declared that Americans have a right to, among other things, "journalism that fully informs the public, is independent of the government and acts as its watchdog, and protects journalists who dissent from their employers." They also have a right, it said, to "newspapers, television and radio stations, cable and satellite systems, and broadcast and cable networks operated by multiple, diverse, and independent owners that compete vigorously and employ a diverse workforce." The Bill of Media Rights circulated throughout the May 13-15 National Conference on Media Reform in St. Louis, which attracted 2,500 participants.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .