2006

In Maine, Jon Bartholomew of Common Cause created a state-level Maine Media and Democracy Coalition with official members and allied partners that have moved the media democracy agenda forward. The Maine coalition accomplished many goals that have had an impact at the national level and also have laid the groundwork for future successes.

In addition, Common Cause worked with numerous local business leaders, professors, MoveOn, the Maine People’s Alliance, the League of Young Voters, P.O.W.E.R. and others to educate the public on media democracy issues. Two meetings with local editorial boards led to positive editorials on the issue of net neutrality, as well as several op-eds and Letters-to-the-Editor printed on the subject as well. Common Cause also partnered with a conservative blogger and business owner to create a Maine-specific blog about net neutrality at www.maineinternetfreedom.com.

On the media ownership front, letters from Senators Snowe and Collins and Congressman Allen were sent to the FCC requesting an official hearing on media ownership in Maine. Common Cause has also used its statewide coalition strength to pass resolutions in support of the Bill of Media Rights in 7 municipalities, which also spurred other states to do similar work in their cities. This effort began in Portland, but coalition partners, the Community Television Association of Maine, continued the effort and worked to get six more resolutions passed across the state. Bartholomew built relationships with several low-power FM radio stations in Maine, a couple of which are willing to organize and promote trainings for speakers who want to testify before the FCC. In October, Bartholomew worked with academics in Maine on the release of the media ownership study and generated several newspaper articles and an interview on the local NPR station.