Jon Rintels is the executive director of the Center for Creative Voices in Media, a watchdog which advocates for the freedom of writers to produce intelligent programming. He joins Coy Barefoot on WINA’s Charlottesville–Right Now on December 4, 2006 to discuss how consolidation of media outlets create a situation where O.J. Simpson can be lured into doing a prime-time special. Also, what happened to the Dixie Chicks after 9/11, and the importance of creating local content.

Jon Rintels is the executive director and the founder of the Center for Creative Voices in Media, a group that advocates against media consolidation and censorship. Rintels is a former attorney and award-winning screenwriter who says media conglomeration of the last several years is having a negative impact on those who write for television and film.

“All of this is based on our strong belief in free speech and free expression,�? says Rintels. “Overregulation of the airwaves to protect children from so-called indecent content has backfired.�?

On the October 20, 2006 edition of WINA’s Charlottesville–Right Now, he told host Coy Barefoot that local news suffers when corporations buy up several radio stations in a community. Rintels also commended WINA for its commitment to local news after Rob Graham broke in with a news report live from the scene.