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Pennsylvania Representatives Demand Greater Public Input on Media Ownership Rules

Washington, DC – February 16, 2007 – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) sent the following letter to the Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin today.

Dear Chairman Martin,

We write to you regarding the FCC public hearing on media ownership that is scheduled to take place on February 23, 2007 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We appreciate the fact that you share our belief that public input is crucial to the review of the FCC’s media ownership rules. However, we are concerned that the public has not been given adequate notice of the hearing on the 23rd.

The hearing was announced on February 8th, without a schedule or location, which does not allow enough time for interested people to spread the word about the hearing. With the hearing taking place less than a week from now, the FCC has still not posted the location or details of the event, including the time of public testimony. With Monday being the President’s Day holiday, we believe that you're leaving very little time for the public to hear about and plan to attend the hearing. In addition, we understand the hearing is likely to take place during a weekday rather than a weekend or after 6pm when working people can attend. While no time is perfect for everyone, we believe that those hours will severely limit participation, particularly when those who may want to take time off of work haven't been given all the necessary details in a timely fashion.

As this will likely be the only opportunity for Harrisburg residents, and people across Pennsylvania, to speak personally to the FCC and provide input about media ownership, we are greatly concerned that you aren't providing adequate opportunity for public involvement. For future hearings, we ask that you provide the public enough notice, full event details including location and holding a hearing at a time that will allow the largest number of citizens to attend. For the Harrisburg hearing, please quickly issue a public notice of the hearing location and schedule.

Sincerely,

Rep. Mike Doyle Rep. Tim Holden

Rep. Robert Brady Rep. Allyson Schwartz

cc:
Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate
Commissioner Robert M. McDowell
 

 

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