This is a call for action to say YES to creativity and NO to concentration.

Creativity is essential for innovation and progress. To flourish creativity requires diversity, plurality, fair competition and an open society.

80% of music and films distributed in the world is tied up in the hands of a few multinationals. Late 2004 a giant SonyBmg was created with the blessing of the anti-trust authorities on both sides of the Atlantic. The market for cultural goods and services is oligopolistic with two companies - SonyBmg and Universal - controlling more than 60% of the global music market - the Pepsi/Coke of music. Not even the biggest independent has 1%. This level of concentration works like cholesterol.

Independent creative structures are increasingly marginalised locally as well as internationally when we should be seizing the opportunity to liberate their cultural and economic power. This is the key to fundamental political and social strategies as diverse as concluding the UNESCO convention on cultural diversity or realising the EU's Lisbon ambitions to make Europe a competitive knowledge based society with sustainable economic growth and greater social cohesion.

It is also key to ensuring creators their basic cultural, economic and social freedoms. Concentration undermines the right of local cultures and economies to self-determination and participation in today's globalised world. This is typical of the whole media sector where everything we see and hear on TV and radio is controlled by a powerful few. We must ensure that progress sustains diversity and freedom of information and that innovation is not stifled by excessive concentration and the collective dominance of a few oligopolies.

If you believe that the future depends on promoting meaningful cultural dialogues and unleashing the power of creators, we must rise to the challenge. Say YES to creativity and NO to concentration.

To support our message please sign the PETITION

To find out more about WHAT's AT STAKE