Members of Congress Call on FCC to Reject Comcast-NBC

On February 4, 2010, a number of Members of the House of representatives wrote Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski about their opposition to the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal.

They expressed concern about growing media ownership concentration and dwindling localism, diversity and competition in the US media. The merger, they say, would result in one company's widened control over the public's access to information. "Comcast would be in a powerful position to advance its networks and its programming at the expense of others because it will control the cable system most people use to watch television, as well as numerous additional television broadcast stations. And it would further limit the public's access to independent sources of information, which is absolutely essential to a well-functioning democracy," they write. They conclude by asking Chairman Genachowski to reject the deal.

On April 20, Chairman Genachowski wrote in reply saying the Commission was seeking public comment on the proposal and would conduct a fact-based review including the concerns the representatives raised.
Letter (Chairman Genachowski)