Right-wing, extremist billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch have ended their pursuit of the Los Angeles Times and other Tribune Co. newspapers after months of protests by community groups, journalists and other free press advocates.
At least 117 bills introduced in 2013 fuel a "race to the bottom" in wages, benefits and workers' rights and resemble "model" bills from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), according to a new analysis by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), publishers of ALECexposed.org .
Come check out a sneak preview of the documentary film " Citizen Koch " at a free screening at noon, Friday, July 19, at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The film by Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin explores the impact that the unlimited campaign spending by wealthy donors like the Koch brothers and corporations that was unleashed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling had in the fight over workers’ rights in Wisconsin.
The Tribune Company has announced it will split in two, separating its newspaper business from its broadcasting unit, as it focuses more on its television operations in an attempt to become more profitable. The announced spin-off is at least a temporary setback to Charles and David Koch, the conservative billionaire brothers who had expressed interest in acquiring the newspapers.
What would happen if David and Charles Koch, the conservative billionaire brothers, bought the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun and other leading newspapers from the Tribune Co.?
Concerned about the likelihood of the Kochs purchasing some of the largest and most influential newspapers in the nation from the financially troubled Tribune Co., The Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers of America organized a very spirited debate at the National Press Club in Washington on June 26.
“The fear is that the Kochs are motivated to use the newspapers to further their overt conservative agenda. Credible news will suffer. This is of special concern as virtually every city in America, with just a handful of exceptions, is now a one-newspaper town,” Guild President Bernie Lunzer said in a statement at the event, attended by about 60 journalists, Guild members and members of the public.
This morning, the panel " Should the Koch Brothers Own the Tribune Newspapers ?" is discussing the potential sale of the group of newspapers to Charles and David Koch at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., at 9 a.m. EDT. As we've covered on the blog before , the Kochs are interested in buying the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun and other leading newspapers owned by the Tribune Co.
Watch the event live after the jump or here: www.aflcio.org/koch-brothers .
This week a coalition of extremist groups and right-wing think tanks such as the Koch brothers-founded Americans for Prosperity, the Heritage Foundation and the State Policy Network is urging and assisting workers to leave their unions under a new-speak banner proclaiming “National Employee Freedom Week.”
Some say the press is the fourth branch of government. It serves as a "check and a balance" to our elected and non-elected leaders and informs the public of news for the greater good. But what if that was compromised by a corporate power grab?
That's exactly what the panel "Should the Koch Brothers Own the Tribune Newspapers?" will examine this Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
You can watch the event live at 9 a.m. EDT at www.aflcio.org/koch-brothers .
Don’t sell out to the Koch brothers / Don’t let the brothers in the door / We don’t want them taking over / That is what we’re marching for!
That was the message, as sung by acclaimed musician Ry Cooder , carried by hundreds of Los Angeles residents who marched and rallied Tuesday to urge Oaktree Capital Management not to sell the respected Los Angeles Times to right-wing extremists David and Charles Koch. The “ No Koch Hate in L.A .” rally was sponsored by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and community allies.
Charles and David Koch , the billionaire brothers who fund a number of extreme right-wing organizations and are major contributors to the tea party and bankrollers for a host of anti-worker state ballot initiatives and legislation, now have their sights set on building a major media empire.
It’s been four years since low-wage workers got a raise. Sign the petition to tell Congress it’s time to raise the minimum wage.
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