In June of 2003, the Federal Communications Commission voted to relax the rules that protect independent voices in the media. Many people fear this will permit a few large corporations to dominate the airwaves and limit free and open debate. Keep reading to find out more about how media consolidation impacts you.
NEW! NEW POLL SHOWS ADVERSE IMPACT OF MEDIA CONSOLIDATION
Corporate Media and the FCC
Deregulation Undermines Diversity
Time for Congress to Act
The June 2nd decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to drastically relax media cross-ownership rules has created an unprecedented public debate on the growing trend toward media consolidation and its potentially adverse impact on the free flow of information. Under the new FCC ownership rules, one company will be allowed to own a major newspaper, eight radio stations, three television stations, and the cable company in a single market. In essence, one company now could control all programming and news content in a single media market made up of millions of individuals. Not only will the free flow of information be adversely impacted by the FCC rule changes, but many local, independent, and minority owned media companies could be forced out of the market.
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Media consolidation has already adversely impacted the radio industry. Since the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the number of radio station owners has dropped 34%, while in almost every market, less than five companies control over 70% of the market share. The picture is especially bleak for minority business owners. In 2000, only 175 minority broadcasters owned 426 stations, or about 4.0% of the nation’s 10,577 commercial AM and FM radio stations. At the end of the last decade, only 23 full power commercial television stations out of 1,288 were owned by minorities.
Following the FCC’s June 2nd vote, millions of Americans have been speaking out against the latest attack on diversity, localism, and competition in the media. Public advocates, political organizations, industry groups and politicians across the political spectrum have united in opposition to the rule changes. The popular outcry against the new rules have probably played a role in Chairman Powell’s recent decision to hold a new round of nationwide public hearings on localism and diversity in the media.
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In May, 29 members of the Black Caucus sent a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell voicing its opposition to the rule-making process. Subsequently, close to 150 members of the Democratic Caucus also sent a letter asking the FCC to delay its decision However, all of these requests were ignored. Nevertheless, the overwhelming public outrage has translated into a growing list of legislative, legal, and popular challenges to the rule.
In September, an appeals court blocked the implementation of the FCC rules. Several weeks later the Senate voted 55-40 to adopt a resolution of disapproval overturning all of the FCC’s controversial rule changes. It is now time for the House to act. While an overwhelming majority of House members voted in July to block the expansion of national TV audience reach by any major network, I believe we must go further. At the very least, the House should immediately start a full debate on the complete repeal of the new rules by considering the Senate joint resolution of disapproval. This will be a debate on the future of free and open airwaves, about localism, competition, and diversity in the media, and also about our democracy whose future has always depended on the lively exchange of ideas in a free and open forum.
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Posted March 23, 2004
