Despite Public Opposition, FCC Chief Wants To Eliminate Cross-Ownership Ban

FCC Chief Tweaks Media-Owner View
by John Dunbar (AP) and Eric Pryne


WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to eliminate a ban on radio and television broadcasters owning newspapers, but only in the nation’s largest media markets, including Seattle.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin opted to focus on the newspaper ban only and declined to act on other media-ownership rules up for consideration. The proposal requires a full vote of the commission to be adopted.

“I think this is both a moderate and a fair proposal,” Martin said Tuesday. He said he is optimistic there will be a vote Dec. 18. There are five members on the commission, two Democrats and three Republicans, including Martin.

Talk of lifting the cross-ownership ban has met stiff resistance from public-interest groups and commission Democrats, and on Capitol Hill.

Martin decided not to pursue complete removal of the ban. Under his proposal, one entity would be permitted to own a newspaper and one radio station or television station, but only if it is in one of the 20 largest markets in the nation. After the transaction, at least eight independently owned-and-operated media voices must remain in the market, and the television station may not be among the market’s top four.

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http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/14/5207/

And I can think of truly entertaining ways to do it.

treatment on this issue.

Kerry's campaign had many key actions left sitting on the editing room floors.


Why would corpmedia target Kerry so pointedly?

Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"

Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval

Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.

Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."