Statement of the National Hispanic Media Coalition on the Heinous Shooting in Tucson, Arizona

PRESS RELEASE
January 10, 2011

For Immediate Release
Contact: Tatiana Arizaga
(626) 792-6462
tarizaga@nhmc.org

Pasadena, CA. - The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is horrified by the senseless shooting rampage that occurred over the weekend in Tucson, Arizona. Our condolences and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

We are saddened that it takes a tragedy of this nature for the media and the public to notice that we have a serious problem in this country with extremist rhetoric and activities.

Indeed, this month marks the second anniversary of NHMC's call to action on hate speech in media, whereby NHMC made two requests: (1) that the Federal Communications Commission open a public docket to examine the extent and effects of hate speech in media, and non-regulatory options for counteracting the violence that extreme rhetoric breeds; and (2) that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration update its 1993 report, The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes so that it may address the realities of how people communicate in the digital age. To date, the government has not acted upon our requests.

In the meantime, we have witnessed the horrific murders and maiming of countless victims, many of whom remain in the shadows. The government must act NOW so that it may understand the underlying reasons behind hate crimes and other acts of rhetoric-induced violence. Only with this understanding may it protect the people of this country, including our members of Congress, who must be able to interact safely with their constituents in their districts so that they may represent them on the Hill - a fundamental tenet of our democracy.

To learn more about NHMC's campaign against hate speech in media, please click here. If you would like to join our plea for government action, please visit http://www.nhmc.org/content/take-action.

# # #

The National Hispanic Media Coalition is a non-profit, media advocacy organization established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Our mission is to improve the image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media, increase the number of American Latinos employed in all facets of the media industry, and advocate for media and telecommunications policies that benefit the Latino community.
Forward email

National Hispanic Media Coalition | 55 S. Grand Ave. | Pasadena | CA | 91105

Please sign on to our new anti hate speech campaign.

Share

www.StopDomesticTerror.com
A VelvetRevolution.us Campaign

Stop Domestic Terror

Recently, there has been an explosion in threats and acts of domestic terrorism. The majority of these can be traced to groups and individuals who do not accept the results of our recent election or the laws enacted or proposed by those who have been elected. They seek to undermine the democratic process through threats, intimidation, and even outright murder. They can't accept the legitimacy of the President, or a woman's legal right to make choices about her own medical care, or an immigrant's right to be treated humanely under the law, so they carry out acts that are antithetical to American democracy, American values, and both civil and human rights.

The fringe elements that makes up those who commit these acts of terror, are frequently exploited by a continuous wave of rightwing media advocating violence, either directly or indirectly, by commentators amplifying the talking points of extremist religious leaders and extremist political leaders. The fringe is incited on our public airwaves, and urged to take matters into their own hands, with the underlying belief that the Bible and/or U.S. Constitution justify using "whatever means" are necessary to oppose what they believe to be immoral laws.

We are taking a stand against this dangerous trend towards the incitement of lawlessness and violence. We strongly believe in the First Amendment right of free expression and discourse, even when that expression is abhorrent or not in line with our own beliefs. However, the First Amendment does not protect debate where one side includes the threat or act of violence.

We have written a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder outlining our concerns and requesting that he act quickly to address this wave of domestic terrorism. A copy of the letter is here with the exhibits A-F here:

Exhibit A-Pet for Inquiry (FCC Letter)
Exhibit B-Letter to NTIA (NTIA Letter)
Exhibit C-Armed Revolution (Armed Revolution Website)
Exhibit D-Tiller Report (Op Rescue Tiller Baby Killer)
Exhibit E-talk radio(Structural Imbalance of Talk Radio)
Exhibit F-Frank Schaeffer letter (Schaeffer Letter to Holder)

Specifically, we are taking the following steps to address this dangerous trend toward extremism.

1. Urge the Department of Justice to:
   
   

   • study this trend toward the encouragement of violent lawlessness and initiate action to counter it,

   • investigate and prosecute those who are committing and inciting others to commit acts of violence,

   • review whether any media groups are violating antitrust laws by monopolizing media or media markets, or failing in their obligation to meet the "public interest" of their FCC broadcast licenses.

   • support an update and study by the FCC and NTIA of the 1993 report, "The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes."

   • Conduct an investigation into the rise of extremism and violence and the role of the media in this phenomenon

   
   
   

2. Urge Congress to hold hearings on the responsibility of the licensed broadcast media to conduct itself in the public interest
   
   

3. Support legislation to require diversity in media ownership, encourage broader minority ownership of FCC licensed media outlets, and that otherwise reverses the dangerous trend of media monopolies allowed following the passage of Bill Clinton's Telecommunications Act of 1996.
   
   

4. We are calling on the CEOs and Boards of media organizations to denounce and remove hosts, commentators and others who use the media to incite violence and spread lies that lead others to violence.
   
   

5. We are calling on advertisers to cancel all ads on any media that uses the airwaves to spread a message of hate, intolerance, racism, lies and violence.
   
   

6. We are calling on religious leaders to denounce all forms of intimidation and violence, and to cooperate with the Department of Justice by reporting information about those who intend to commit violence.
   
   

7. We are working with leaders in the religious community who have taken a stand against violence, such as Frank Schaeffer, who was one of the architects of the Religious Right. Mr. Schaeffer, who will be promoting this campaign, has written a letter to Eric Holder offering his cooperation and insight into this trend toward violence and offering suggestions on how to address it.
   
   

8. We are supporting the efforts of other organizations that are addressing various aspects of this campaign, such as www.colorofchange.org, www.mediamatters.org, www.shockjock.org, www.rightwingwatch.org, www.splcenter.org, www.nhmc.org., suewilsonreports.com, www.alternet.org, www.freepress.net, www.thinkprogress.org, www.americanprogress.org, www.latinosagansthatespeech.org, www.adl.org, hladc-sf.blogspot.com.
   

We ask other organizations to sign on to this campaign by sending an email to StopDomesticTerror@velvetrevolution.us. Individuals can sign on using the form below. This campaign will include a broad public relations push so we urge everyone to spread the word and for the press to contact us for comment and interviews.

You can make targeted donations to this campaign at with an earmark comment in the box at http://www.velvetrevolution.us/donate.php.


Sign On Form

Please add your name and email address to sign on to this campaign

NHMC Applauds San Francisco Supervisors for Taking a Stand Against Hate Speech in Media

By Unanimous vote, San Francisco Supervisors take stand against Hate Media

The Hispanic / Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition SF joins the National Hispanic Media Coalition in applauding the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for standing up to Hate Media, by unanimously approving a resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media; and

urging the NTIA to update it's 1993 report on the Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes.

To view the resolution
www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/090995.pdf

Thanks and congratulations to Media Alliance and Public Interest Pictures (BroadcastBlues.tv) for their tremendous energy and support on this effort.

Aurora Grajeda

Hispanic / Latino Anti-Defamation Coaliton SF

--------

From the National Hispanic Media Coalition:

I’m happy to share with you today’s press release (below) on a resolution that was approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously. This is hopefully the first of many throughout the country. We encourage all of you to consider promoting a similar resolution to your local elected bodies.

I want to remind you that we need your help and support to get the word out regarding the campaign against hate speech in media.

- Send an email blast to your members about our campaign (we can provide)

- Call your elected officials and asking for their support for this project

- Distribute postcards at events and have them signed (attached)

- Join us on Facebook and encouraging your members to join: http://tinyurl.com/lzg6c5

- Schedule a talk or other public event to talk about hate speech and what it is doing to the fabric of our communities.

- We need to gather organizational and community leadership support throughout the country. Forward this email to your allies. Hate speech in media is targeted to many groups and hence we are looking for a broad and diverse group of supporters.

...please let us know how you can help!

We have seen the anger and hatred that the proliferation of misinformation about health care reform has caused in recent weeks. As President Obama sets out to reform immigration in 2010, let us build media literacy and awareness before Latinos and other immigrants are once again at the forefront of media attacks.

We appreciate your support.

Inez Gonzalez

Vice President, Media Policy

National Hispanic Media Coalition

www.nhmc.org

NHMC Applauds San Francisco Supervisors for Taking a Stand Against Hate Speech in Media

PRESS RELEASE

August 11, 2009

For Immediate Release

NHMC Applauds San Francisco Supervisors for Taking a Stand Against Hate Speech in Media

Supervisors respond to community groups' request to take action against hate speech in media

Washington, D.C. - Today the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved unanimously a resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in media, allowing public participation via public hearings, and for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to update its 1993 report the "Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes."

The Supervisors responded to grassroots activists in the Bay Area who have organized to call attention to the alarming increase of patently false and hateful language in media. For the last three years, the Hispanic / Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition SF has organized annual protests held at Clear Channel Communications. Clear Channel was selected as the protest site due to the Corporation's record of promoting some of the most virulent purveyors of hate and intolerance, including Michael Savage and Glenn Beck, who denigrate communities, groups and individuals.

"Hate Speech in media is not only targeted to the Latino community but also to other communities of color, women, the disabled and Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual and Transgender people. It is a cancer in our society and it needs to be addressed. Government needs to recognize, not ignore, the plight of the people. Today, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is the first elected body to take a stand against hate speech in media. We are hopeful that more courageous elected leaders will also take a stand," said Inez Gonzalez, NHMC V.P., Media Policy.

The San Francico resolution was introduced by Supervisor David Campos and co-sponsored by Supervisors John Avalos, David Chiu, Chris Daly, Bevan Duffy, Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Ross Mirkarimi. The resolution in part states "An investigation on hate speech in the media has the potential of serving the highest interest of free speech." Full information on the resolution may be found at www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/090995.pdf

The City and County of San Francisco prides itself in celebrating diversity in principle, values and practice; the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco, reflects these principles, values and practices.

# # #

PRESS CONFERENCE: "Presenting SF Supervisors' Resolution urging the FCC and NTIA for inquire on Hate Speech in Media"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 10, 2009

San Francisco Board of Supervisors resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and community groups are holding a press conference on Tuesday, August 11th, at 12 noon at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, in San Francisco, on the Polk Street side steps. They will present a resolution sponsored by Supervisor David Campos and co-sponsored by Supervisors John Avalos, David Chiu, Chris Daly, Bevan Duffy, Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Ross Mirkarimi, "urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media, allowing public participation via public hearings, and asking the NTIA to update it's 1993 report on the Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes."

"An investigation on hate speech in the media has the potential of serving the highest interest of free speech, the First Amendment and the security of individuals and groups in their persons and in their living environments. A recent study from Leadership Conference on Civil Rights shows a correlation between hate radio and hate crimes - concerned organizations and individuals have seen how the volume and virulence in the rhetoric in the most virulent Shock Jocks, such as local host Michael Savage, continues to raise.

Full information on the resolution may be found at http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/090995.pdf "

Meeting starts at 2 PM, the resolution will be discussed at the Board of Supervisors meeting in the Legislative Chamber, Room 250, the resolution is item # 39, public comment is invited.

The City and County of San Francisco prides itself in celebrating diversity in principle, values and practice; the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco, reflects these principles, values and practices.

HATE SPEECH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE SPEECH

###

3rd Annual Anti-Hate Speech SF Rally -- Community Groups Ask the FCC to Open Docket on Hate Speech

WHAT: Rally / Demonstraton
WHEN: Saturday August 15, 2009 - 2:00 pm
WHERE: Clear Channel Radio 340 Townsend Street, San Francisco, California (4th St. @ Townsend )

Call for a Halt to Hate Speech in the Media

Community Groups Ask the FCC to Open Docket on Hate Speech and NTIA to Update 1993 report "The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes".

Alarmed at the documented increase in the amount of patently false and hateful language being broadcast and concerned this is helping to create a climate of hate and prejudice which in turn may foster the commission of hate crimes; a grassroots group of activists in the Bay Area is holding a rally to call attention to this growing national problem, which has a negative impact on the civil rights of frequently-targeted groups like immigrants, the disabled and Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual, Transgender and African American people.

The groups are frustrated that neither of the previous two protests (on 08/15/2007 and 09/23/2008) yielded significant action on the part of the agencies that are charged with regulating the broadcast industry. In the spirit of equality and dignity for all, the Coalition, feels compelled to hold a 3rd annual demonstration against media hate speech.

This year, the Coalition is pleased to be able to support the Petitions of the National Hispanic Media Coalition for a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) docket on hate speech and the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) to update the 1993 report "The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes".

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will also be considering a resolution in support of the two petitions to the federal regulatory agencies co-sponsored by Supervisor's Campos, Avalos, David Chiu, Chris daly, Bevan Duffy, Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Ross Mirkarimi.

Clear Channel Communications, the site of the protest, allows some of the most virulent purveyors of hate and intolerance, including Michael Savage and Glenn Beck, to denigrate communities, groups and individuals.

Free speech is an important American value, but so is social responsibility. Shouting "fire" in a crowded theater puts others at risk. See the Coalition's objectives statement for more on responsible and irresponsible media speech.

Bay Area Grassroots Coalition Against Media Hate Speech and Hate Crimes

Spanish version of these documents Comunicado de Prensa, Objetivos, Resolución.
Coalition Objectives

Coalition Resolution

SF Board of Supervisors' Resolution urging the FCC and NTIA for inquire on Hate Speech in Media

The Hispanic / Latino Anti-Defamation Coalition SF, gratefully lauds the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for their Action on behalf of the actual and the potential victims of hate speech and hate crimes. On the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting of August 4, 2009, a Resolution was introduced to be placed on the August 11, 2009 Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting Agenda for discussion and a vote "urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media, allowing public participation via public hearings, and to update the 1993 report on the Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes." It was introduced by Supervisor David Campos and co-sponsored by Supervisors: John Avalos, David Chiu, Chris daly, Bevan Duffy, Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Ross Mirkarimi. For those of us concerned with the raise of hate speech in the media and the ever increase on hate crimes reported, it is very important to attend the August 11 meeting to offer support and commentary. In the event that you'd want to send them a note with your thoughts, the contact information is included below.
David Campos District 9 (415) 554-5144 - voice (415) 554-6255 - fax David.Campos@sfgov.org	John Avalos District 11 (415) 554-6975 - Voice (415) 554-6979 - Fax John.Avalos@sfgov.org	David Chiu - Board President District 3 (415) 554-7450 - Voice (415) 554-7454 - Fax David.Chiu@sfgov.org	Chris Daly District 6 (415) 554-7970 - Voice (415) 554-7974 - Fax Chris.Daly@sfgov.org
Bevan Dufty District 8 (415) 554-6968 - Voice (415) 554-6909 - Fax Bevan.Dufty@sfgov.org	Eric Mar District 1 (415) 554-7410 - Voice (415) 554-7415 - Fax Eric.L.Mar@sfgov.org	Sophie Maxwell District 10 (415) 554-7670 - Voice (415) 554-7674 - Fax Sophie.Maxwell@sfgov. org	Ross Mirkarimi District 5 (415) 554-7630 - Voice (415) 554-7634 - Fax Ross.Mirkarimi@sfgov.org
TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION INTRODUCED FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' AUGUST 11, 2009 AGENDA [Urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media and to update the 1993 report on the Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes] Resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media, allowing public participation via public hearings, and to update the 1993 report on the Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes WHEREAS, Hate speech has been defined as bigoted speech attacking or disparaging a social or ethnic group or a member of such a group (American Heritage Dictionary), and hate speech is intended to offend a person of a particular group or group of people based on a group identity; and WHEREAS, Hate speech takes various forms, from words advocating violence to those creating a climate of hate towards vulnerable groups; and WHEREAS, Hate speech creates an environment of hate and prejudice that legitimizes violence against those individuals and groups targeted by hate speech; and WHEREAS, Hate speech contributes to and may result in physical violence, and emotional and psychological distress to those targeted by hate speech;and WHEREAS, Many groups have suffered harm at the hands of hate speech, including without limitation: African Americas, Latinos, Muslims, Jews, Catholics, Women, Lesbians, Gays, Transgender people, and people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, Hate speech against vulnerable groups exists in our media and is not limited to a few isolated instances or any one media platform; and WHEREAS, Hate speech is often aired on large mainstream media corporations including national cable news networks, television broadcasts, radio broadcasts, and on the internet; and WHEREAS, The media has the power to influence people's behavior and perceptions and according to the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), a correlation exist between an increase in hate speech in the media and an increase of hate crimes committed against vulnerable groups; and WHEREAS, According to the National Latino Policy & Issues Brief (by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center), the October 2008 Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual hate crime statistics reported that of the 8999 single-bias hate crime offenses in 2007, two-thirds (66.5 percent) were motivated by race and ethnicity/national-origin biases, a number that has remained constant since 2003, with anti-African-America bias accounting for more than half of offenses motivated by race and ethnicity/national-origin, the largest share of total offenses (36.4 percent); and WHEREAS, According to several reports (the National Latino Policy & Issues Brief by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center and the National Hispanic Media Coalition, a change in offenses motivated by ethnicity/national-origin bias on anti-Hispanic bias has risen steadily, from 42.8 percent in 2003 to 61.7 percent in 2007 (FBI 2008), largely linked to the media negative coverage of Latinos and immigration debate; and WHEREAS, According to the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), and increase of hate speech in the media targeting Latinos has led to an increase of hate crimes against Latinos; and WHEREAS, An investigation on hate speech in the media has the potential of serving the highest interest of free speech and the First Amendment; and WHEREAS, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a long history of examining how licensees use their public trust to serve the most vulnerable segments of society, and some of these lengthy studies have included looking at the impact on children of certain advertising practices, the impact of violent programming on children, and the link between advertising and childhood obesity; and WHEREAS, Past inquiries, studies and explorations have been done in a manner that is constant with our tradition of free speech and conducting an investigation on hate speech in the media actually has the potential of serving the highest interest of free speech and First Amendment protection; and WHEREAS, In 1992 Congress directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to examine The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes; and WHEREAS, No updates to The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes report in 1993 has been made; and WHEREAS, Given the evolution and growth of telecommunication since the 1990's, we are in dire need of an update to this 1993 report; and WHEREAS, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates airwaves in the United States, but in order to make necessary determination regarding allocation, the FCC turns to the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA), which has served as the President's principal advisor on telecommunication policies since 1978; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco urges the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation on hate speech in the media, and to update the 1993 report on the The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes ; and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED, That the investigation on hate speech should be conducted in a transparent manner, including public participation via public hearing; and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco urges the FCC's investigation to include the inquiry into the extent and nature of hate speech in the media, the examination of the effects and impact of hate speech, and the relationship between hate speech in the media and hate crimes; and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of the City and County of San Francisco urges the FCC to also explore options for counteracting or reducing the negative effects of hate speech in the media.

FCC to Investigate Link Between Hate Speech and Hate Crimes

SOURCE:



February 6, 2009

By Joe Torres

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Growing up, how often did your parents tell you this in their effort to protect you from school-yard bullies?

Despite their best intentions, you knew better. You learned that words can hurt. Now as an adult, you know that words have the power to inspire, as well as the power to tear people apart.

Many in the Latino community understand firsthand the power of words to bring out the worst in people. In recent years, hate crimes against Latinos have spiked by 40 percent sparked, in large part, by the hostile public debate over immigration. And many Latino leaders believe that right-wing talk shows have played a primary role in igniting the growing violence against their community.

This week, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), working with the Institute for Public Representation at Georgetown University Law Center, filed a petition for inquiry that called on the FCC to investigate the pervasiveness of hate speech on the public airwaves and its impact on the Latino community. The groups also called on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to update its 1993 Hate Speech report. At the time, the NTIA expressed concern that “the media may be creating an “atmosphere that encourages and legitimizes violence against minority groups.” But the report stopped short, stating “the available data linking the problem of hate crimes to telecommunications remains scattered and largely anecdotal.”

But the media landscape has been transformed since 1993. The NHMC’s petition provides several examples of the kinds of hate speech that are polluting the airwaves and creating a toxic environment that motivates violence.

Talk-show host Michael Savage ranted last year that undocumented immigrants have “raped” the Statue of Liberty and that the United States is being “overrun” by an “invading horde from another nation that wants to sweep you off the map.” Montana radio host John Stokes called for cutting off the limbs of anyone who cannot not speak English: “Romans 15:19 says that if they break into your country, chop off their leg. We have to forcibly get rid of them.”

It is this kind of rhetoric that the NHMC believes has fueled a recent string of hate crimes that ended in horrific murders.

Last year, 31-year-old Jose Sucuzhanay, a legal resident and a father of two, was beaten to death in Queens, New York by four men who hit him in the head with a bottle because of his ethnicity and because they believed he was gay. In Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, teenagers yelled racial epithets at 25-year-old Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala, saying, “Go Back to Mexico,” while beating him to death. In Patchogue, New York, several teenagers killed 37-year-old Marcelo Lucero after they spent a day targeting Hispanics, including firing a BB gun at a Hispanic man in a car and beating up another Hispanic man who was fortunate to escape.

NHMC is optimistic that with Obama’s election, the FCC will examine the issue of hate speech on the public airwaves. Last September, Obama told the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during a campaign appearance:

“This election is about the 12 million people living in the shadows, the communities taking immigration enforcement into their own hands ... they’re counting on us to stop the hateful rhetoric filling our airwaves, rise above the fear and demagoguery, and finally enact comprehensive immigration reform.”

Obama should understand as well as anyone how words can stoke hatred and threats of violence. Newsweek reported that in the lead-up to the presidential election, death threats against Obama spiked. It was during this time that conservative TV and radio talk-show hosts pounded away daily at Obama, claiming he wasn’t coming clean about his relationship with William Ayers, a terrorist from the 1960s and 1970s. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin even accused Obama of “palling around with terrorists.”

The rise in hate speech also coincides with an increase in the number of hate groups in the country. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) found that close to 900 hate groups now exist and that 250 nativist groups have been founded in recent years. In addition, the Anti-Defamation League found that nativist groups have increasingly appeared on news programs as legitimate opponents of immigration.

The NHMC petition is not asking for the FCC to pass new rules that regulate speech or to bring back the Fairness Doctrine. Rather, the group is seeking to shed light on the connection between hate speech and hate crimes.

One area that needs to be examined is the impact of media consolidation on the increase in hate speech. The 1996 Telecommunications Act led to massive consolidation in the radio industry, lifting the cap on the number of stations a company can own. Consequently, the consolidation reduced the diversity of voices on the air and made it easier for a syndicated talk program to be carried on more stations.

For example, a study conducted by the Center for American Progress and Free Press in 2007 found that 91 percent of the talk programming that airs on the top five commercial radio station owners - CBS, Clear Channel, Citadel, Cumulus and Salem - is conservative.

The FCC should not delay in investigating the link between hate speech and hate crimes. As it turns out, sticks and stones may break my bones, but name calling may also kill me.

Return to the Frontpage