Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Entertainment Caucus, held a bipartisan meeting today with members of the Entertainment Caucus and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in an open discussion on the FCC’s upcoming vote on media cross-ownership rules.
On June 2nd, the FCC is scheduled to vote on proposals offered by Chairman Michael Powell to restructure media ownership rules. The proposed changes have not yet been made public. But it is widely assumed that the changes will substantially weaken longstanding FCC rules designed to prevent the growth of media monopolies.
In attendance were FCC Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein and members of the Congressional Entertainment Caucus, including Congressman Xaiver Becerra (D-CA), Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswoman Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS), and Congressman Mike McIntyre (D-NC).
The two FCC commissioners each presented their views and concerns about the potential implications of relaxing existing media cross-ownership rules. Although the Commissioners, by law, were unable to disclose the proposals that are under review by the FCC or discuss the potential outcome of the June 2nd vote, members of the Entertainment Caucus were able to voice their questions and concerns regarding the current broadcast ownership Biennial Review process and the potential impacts the Commission’s upcoming vote may have on the future of mass media communication.
“My most immediate concern with the upcoming June 2 FCC vote is the absence of a robust public review process prior to the impending vote,” said Congresswoman Watson. “The purpose of the meeting today is to provide an open and non-partisan forum for members of the Entertainment Caucus and FCC Commissioners to discuss freely their opinions and concerns about the June 2 vote. However, it is my understanding that Commissioner Powell has held only one official hearing on the proposed rule changes. It is critical, at the very least, that the proposals be released for public review and comment.”
Press Release list
back to top
