The proposed Trans-PacificPartnership (TPP) trade deal has drawn heavy criticism. Over 500 labor, environmental and farm groups oppose granting the White House “fast track” authority to speed the pact through Congress. The deal, still being negotiated in secret, has spawned protests around the world. Even some Democrats are pushing back against the White House.
But there’s one thing that TPP hasn’t generated: news.
Critics say TPP will enshrine corporate control of decisions previously subject to democratic processes–decisions over intellectual property, the environment,labor rights, food, telecommunications, finance and more.
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) has called it “the largest corporate power grab you never heard of.” He’s right. Over 14 months–from January 2013 through February 2014–TPP was never covered in any detail by ABC, CBS or NBC.
It was mentioned once on NBC’s Meet the Press (2/23/14), where conservativeDavid Brooks listed a “fast track trade deal across the Atlantic, across the Pacific” as one one several “gigantic, very good policies where there is majority support.” On CBS‘s Face the Nation (2/2/14), White House chief of staff Denis McDonough touted it as a big job creator.
But that’s it.
It’s time to let the news networks know that a big, secret trade deal that has mobilized thousands of activists is a story that needs to be covered.
Sign FAIR’s petition now. Tell ABC, CBS and NBC that the Trans PacificPartnership–and the opposition to it–should be news.