2011 Wisconsin Media Reform Tour


2011 Wisconsin Media Reform Tour
 Schedule of Events
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MADISON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
8:00 am.-6:00 pm. Fighting Bob Fest
Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison
http://www.fightingbobfest.org/

MADISON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
 First Unitarian Society Landmark Auditorium
900 University Bay Drive, Madison
7:30-9:30 pm
www.fusmadison.org

APPLETON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Fox Valley UU Fellowship at Appleton Public Library
225 N. Oneida Street, Appleton 
6:00-9:00 pm 
www.apl.org

MEQUON, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
 Unitarian Church North
13800 North Port Washington Rd., Mequon 
7:00-9:00 pm
www.ucnorth.org

MILWAUKEE, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
 First Unitarian Society
1342 N. Astor St., Milwaukee 
7:00-9:00 pm
 www.uumilwaukee.org

HARTLAND, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

 Lake County Unitarian Universalist Church
W299 N5595 Grace Dr., Hartland 
6:30-9:00 pm
www.lcuuc.org

RACINE, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
 Olympia Brown UU Church Adult R.E. Committee
625 College Ave., Racine 
7:00-9:00 pm
www.obuuc.org

WAUSAU, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

 First Universalist Unitarian Church
504 Grant Street, Wausau 
7:00-9:30 pm
www.uuwausau.org

EAU CLAIRE, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

 Unitarian Universalist Congregation
421 S. Farwell Street, Eau Claire 
7:00-9:00 pm
www.uueauclaire.com


for information, contact:
suewilsonreports@gmail.com



2011 Wisconsin Media Reform Tour
Putting the Public Back into Broadcasters' Public Interest Obligations


When Delafield resident Barbara Begale went to see a documentary film about media reform in Florida, she never thought she'd return to Wisconsin to organize an entire film tour.  But after seeing the award winning Broadcast Blues, which shows how the consolidation of the media into a few corporate hands is jeopardizing our news, information, and even public safety, Begale says a light bulb went off.  "Suddenly I understood why the United States is so divisive.  The film explains why the news is filled with lies and why there is so much hate speech.  If people know the truth, people will make the right decisions, but they're not getting the truth.  Everyone in this country needs to see this movie."

So she contacted the film's director, who readily agreed to travel throughout the state with the film.  "This is a great opportunity to remind the people of Wisconsin that they actually own the Radio and TV airwaves," says filmmaker Sue Wilson.  "Local TV and radio stations receive licenses for the privilege to broadcast, but there's a catch:  in exchange for their licenses, the law requires them to 'serve the public interest.'  If they do not, people can legally challenge those licenses and take them away.  The question is, are the broadcasters serving the public interest of Wisconsinites?"

Wilson plans to answer that question by surveying those who attend the screenings about how well local broadcasters are serving local needs.  If people tell her their local TV and radio stations are not serving the public interest, she will teach them how to reach out to local broadcasters with the goal of improving the quality of local broadcasting.  "Sometimes," says Wilson, "all it takes is a friendly visit to station management to create a dialogue between the broadcaster and the community.  Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a legal petition to deny a station's license, and we're prepared to help people whichever way it goes. What's important is that people understand they have unique rights as owners of the public broadcast airwaves."    

The 2011 Wisconsin Media Reform Tour kicks off September 17 in Madison with continuous screenings at the FightingBobFest, then goes to Madison's Landmark Auditorium that evening for a 7:30 showing and organizing event.   The tour continues to Appleton Sept. 19, Mequon Sept. 21, Milwaukee Sept. 22, Hartland Sept. 23, Racine Sept. 24, Wausau Sept. 26, ending in Eau Claire Sept. 27th.

All events are free and open to the public.


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See clips from Broadcast Blues and learn more about rights as owners of the public airwaves at SueWilsonReports.com