The Honorable [name of U.S. Senator or House of Representatives Member],

As your constituent, I am writing to voice my concern about the increase of hate speech in the media [specify your specific example in your community, if you have one].

Although I strongly support the First Amendment in our Constitution securing our right to free speech in our great country, I vehemently oppose the promotion of violence towards any person or group in media and the promulgation of one-sided, inaccurate rhetoric depicted as news information.  The time has come for Congress to be courageous and address the issue of hate speech in the American media.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) has asked Members of Congress to request that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) update its 1993 report to Congress on “The Role of Telecommunications in Hate Crimes.” This report studied “the use of modern telecommunications to spread messages of hate and bigotry.”  The report examined the then prevailing media -- broadcast television and radio, cable public access channels, computer bulletin boards, and telephony -- and found few instances in the preceding decade in which broadcast facilities (radio and television) had been used to spread messages of hate and bigotry.  

It is imperative that this study be updated in order to document the current environment in media, to include the Internet.  Once the study is completed, Congress will be able to have verifiable data that will illustrate the serious nature of this epidemic.

I support the effort of the NHMC and ask that you join me and thousands of people throughout the nation that are asking Congress recall a basic American premise:  We the people own the airwaves. We the people demand that broadcast licensees who profit from our airwaves use it responsibly and seek to provide varied points of view. Only then can Americans be part of meaningful dialogue and together reach consensus.  That is the American way.

Thanks for your time and consideration.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,