Lobbying

La Raza Unida for Telecom Deregulation?

by Sheldon Rampton — March 22, 2006 - 6:48am

"When 15 Latino groups sent a letter to top Senate Commerce Committee lawmakers urging video-franchising relief for the Bell telecommunications firms, the appeal appeared to be on behalf of Hispanic Americans," writes David Hatch. "But critics said the letter also was on behalf of the Bell firms AT&T and Verizon Communications, which have financial and business ties to many of the signatories. ...

Main Source: 
National Journal, March 17, 2006

Mexico's Corporate Media: Consolidation Knows No Borders

by Diane Farsetta — March 16, 2006 - 11:07am

"Money will define the right to communicate," warned media analyst Néstor Cortés, regarding a bill before the Mexican Senate that would likely further media consolidation in the country.

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New America Media, March 15, 2006

Quid Pro Glow: UK Government Funds Nuclear Lobbying

by Diane Farsetta — March 6, 2006 - 11:10am

In Britain, "public money has been used to support a vigorous pro-nuclear campaign." The campaign, Nuklear21, includes "workers from the defunct Chapelcross nuclear plant in Dumfries and Galloway," who have been handing out leaflets at "Scottish party political conferences." The leaflets call nuclear power "atoms for peace" and claim that "nuclear will help save the planet." Nuk

Main Source: 
The Sunday Herald (Scotland), March 5, 2006

Coal Miners' Slaughter

by Diane Farsetta — March 6, 2006 - 10:48am

U.S. coal industry lobbyists have "resumed a longstanding effort to eliminate -- or at least greatly weaken" the federal requirement for four full inspections a year at underground coal mines. Already this year, 21 coal miners have died, including 16 at West Virginia's Sago Mine. Twenty-two miners died in all of 2005. "A decade ago, industry lobbyists and conservative activists" tried to eliminate the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

Main Source: 
The Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), March 5, 2006

Boldly Militarizing Where No One Has Gone Before

by Diane Farsetta — March 2, 2006 - 6:23pm

"Lobbyists from the fledgling commercial space industry are besieging Capitol Hill, hoping to persuade the government to hand out contracts to help put the U.S. military into orbit," reports John Lasker. The main "talking point" for the 50 to 75 lobbyists is "how the private sector can help the U.S.

Main Source: 
Wired News, March 1, 2006

Oil for Food, Lobbyists, and Corporate Profits

by Bob Burton — February 23, 2006 - 12:55am

Prior to the October 2005 release of Paul Volcker's report on violations of the United Nations' Iraq oil-for-food program, the Australian wheat exporter AWB Limited hired the Washington DC lobbying firm The Cohen Group, which is headed by former U.S. defense secretary William S. Cohen.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, February 22 2006

The Republican-Lobbyist-Military-Industrial Complex

by Diane Farsetta — February 7, 2006 - 4:54pm

"While Abramoff, DeLay and Randy Cunningham dominate the headlines," the Alexander Strategy Group (ASG) "deserves to be heavily scrutinized for its role in each of those scandals and others not yet on the mainstream radar," reports Jeremy Scahill.

Main Source: 
The Nation, February 2, 2006
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