September 2007

For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org

FCC MEDIA OWNERSHIP HEARING RECAP

_Coverage_
Hundreds Line Up to Speak To FCC About Media Rules (includes video)
FCC urged to restrict media consolidation
Tribune=92s Truthiness: Blame the Internet

_Statements of FCC Commissioners_

_Testimony_

Obama Calls for Tighter FCC Regulation of Broadcasting
Teamsters Urge FCC To Keep Cross-Ownership Ban
Chicago=92s Local Broadcasters Speak Up
WGA Pushes Branded Integration Identification

_Coverage_

HUNDREDS LINE UP TO SPEAK TO FCC ABOUT MEDIA RULES
[SOURCE: CBS2Chicago]
Hundreds of people sounded off Thursday night=20
before the Federal Communications Commission at a=20
hearing in Chicago. Minority ownership of media=20
outlets was on the mind of many. "I really wanted=20
to find out or get an idea of what the FCC is=20
going to do as far as to allow more people to own=20
various radio stations, newspapers, things of=20
that sort," said hearing attendee Derrick Smith.=20
Melody Spann-Cooper of WVON-AM and WRLL-AM, is=20
the only African-American woman to own and=20
operate two radio stations in the City of=20
Chicago. "If I can do what I've done with as=20
little as I have," Spann-Cooper said. "Imagine if=20
the playing field was level, just a tad bit, what=20
I could do in this marketplace."
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_263233103.html
* FCC Hearing Attracts Hundreds in Chicago
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=3D71D0BC2...
CE3D82057E7F93BC12FC1A?contentId=3D4417036&version=3D4&locale=3DEN-US&layou=
tCode=3DVSTY&pageId=3D1.1.1&sflg=3D1
http://wgntv.trb.com/
* Concerns raised about media ownership in Chicagoland
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=3Dlocal&id=3D5668062
* FCC urged to restrict media consolidation
it is unlikely any media company is watching any=20
closer than Chicago-based Tribune Co., owner of=20
the Chicago Tribune, WGN-AM 720 and WGN-Ch. 9,=20
among other media properties across the nation.=20
The company needs temporary FCC waivers on its=20
ownership of newspapers and broadcast outlets in=20
Chicago and four other markets in order to move=20
ahead with its plan to go private, and it is=20
looking for long-term relief when rules are=20
redrawn. Earlier Thursday, in a meeting with the=20
Chicago Tribune's editorial board, FCC Chairman=20
Kevin Martin acknowledged that newspapers are=20
increasingly under financial strain because of=20
the Internet and said "they provide a very unique=20
and important service" that he wants taken into=20
account in the commission's new rules. "The=20
Tribune transaction raises many of the issues=20
that are teed up in relation to newspaper=20
cross-ownership rules," Martin said. "Many of the=20
properties that Tribune owns date back to that=20
original cross-ownership here in Chicago, [and]=20
there have been many positive aspects of that=20
cross-ownership, as demonstrated by the ability=20
to try to have other outlets for the news, which=20
has been very important in trying to sustain the=20
investment in news-gathering that's occurred."=20
Chairman Martin also pointed to how, since 1996,=20
the commission has changed all its ownership=20
rules, except one. "And that's the rule on=20
newspapers being able to own a broadcast=20
property," he said, noting that when the FCC's=20
last overhaul of media ownership rules was=20
overturned in 2003, the only thing upheld by the=20
court "was a determination the commission's=20
decision that the absolute ban on" cross-ownership were no longer justified.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri_fccsep21,0,840482.story

TRIBUNE'S TRUTHINESS: BLAME THE INTERNET
[SOURCE: StopBigMedia.com]
Blame the Internet. That=92s Big Media=92s latest=20
excuse for why there shouldn't be any limits on=20
their holdings or pesky public interest=20
requirements. Big Media insists that the Internet=20
has turned the media world on its head =97 and that=20
they have no more power than a blogger in the=20
basement. At least that=92s what Tribune Co.=20
claimed in an October filing with the FCC,=20
arguing that media ownership rules are obsolete=20
because the once-mighty Trib =97 which in Chicago=20
alone owns its flagship newspaper, WGN-TV,=20
WGN-AM, cable news channel CLTV and Chicago=20
Magazine =97 now faces fierce competition from=20
Chicago Ray and Gapers Block. Not so fast. A new=20
study by Adam Lynn and S. Derek Turner of Free=20
Press debunks Tribune=92s claims and shows=20
definitively that a handful of Big Media giants=20
still dominate the local news market =97 online and=20
off. Local independent Web sites and blogs are=20
often great sources of fresh opinions and a=20
different slant on the headlines. But they simply=20
don't have enough local news or a large enough=20
audience to compete with traditional media.
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/blog/?p=3D121
* See the Free Press study:
http://www.freepress.net/docs/local_chicago_websites_study.pdf

_Statements of FCC Commissioners_

* Statement of Chairman Martin
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
"At our previous ownership hearings, many people=20
argued that the impact of the media consolidation=20
that has already occurred has had several=20
negative impacts. First, they argued that=20
consolidation has limited the number of channels=20
available to minorities and new=20
entrants. Second, they argued that it has made=20
it more difficult for independent=20
programmers. And third, they argued that it has=20
made it easier for large media companies to=20
advertise products by integrating them into=20
programs without notice. Regardless of whether=20
the Commission makes any changes to its ownership=20
rules, these are important issues that the Commission should address."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276771A1.doc

Adelstein: "The FCC's Legacy Does Not Make Us Proud"
[SOURCE: RadioInk]
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein places the=20
blame for the lack of ownership diversity, in=20
Chicago and nationwide, squarely on FCC policies.=20
"In 2003, over my strong objection and that of my=20
colleague Commissioner Copps, the commission=20
changed the ownership rules to permit big media=20
companies to get even bigger," he said.=20
"Opportunities to promote small, female, and=20
minority-owned businesses were cast aside."=20
Commissioner Adelstein went on, "When it comes to=20
ensuring that the composition of the people who=20
use the public's airwaves to serve the American=20
people also look like the American people, the=20
FCC's legacy does not make us proud."
http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=3D139295&pt=3Dtodaysnews

* Statement of Commissioner Adelstein
"So today, as one who believes that we should no=20
longer shirk our responsibility to the American=20
people, I am calling on Chairman Martin and my=20
colleagues to join me in creating a bipartisan,=20
independent panel to review the more than 40=20
policy recommendations that were proposed by the=20
FCC's Diversity Committee and the Minority Media=20
and Telecommunications Council. We need to put=20
the past behind us and establish a panel of=20
outside experts to conduct a thorough review of=20
these regulatory proposals, the dozens of=20
diversity enhancement recommendations that have=20
been collecting dust at the FCC since as far back=20
as 1992. I believe 15 years is long enough -=20
justice deferred is justice denied."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276765A1.doc

* Statement of Commissioner Copps
"To me, serving the public interest means the=20
public interest of everyone in this great=20
land. Some folks see America's diversity as a=20
problem to be overcome; I say our diversity is an=20
opportunity to be harnessed. It's our strength;=20
it's who we are and it's what we can be. This=20
city contains a rich and vibrant multitude of=20
races, religions, traditions and stories. I want=20
all your perspectives on whether the public=20
airwaves here in Chicago are being used to=20
reflect those races, religions, traditions and=20
stories, or whether they only distort and=20
caricature them. Here's the rub: I don't believe=20
that we're anywhere near taking advantage of our=20
great diversity when it comes to media, and we=20
can start by looking at who owns the media in the first place."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276762A1.doc

* Statement of Commissioner Tate
"Whether in small towns or major media markets,=20
people today, especially the I-Generation,=20
continue to have access to more news and=20
information outlets than ever before not just=20
here in the United States but globally."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276757A1.doc

_Testimony_

* Obama Calls for Tighter FCC Regulation of Broadcasting
In a statement delivered by a staffer, Democratic=20
presidential candidate and Illinois Sen. Barack=20
Obama laid into the Federal Communications=20
Commission for its dereguatory policies under=20
chairman Kevin Martin, saying that it promoted=20
"the concept of consolidation over diversity,"=20
and he heartily endorsed tightening FCC=20
regulations on broadcasters. "I believe the FCC=20
media-ownership rules remain necessary and are=20
critical to the public interest," he said. "We=20
should be doing more to encourage diversity in=20
ownership in broadcast media, promote the=20
development of new media outlets and the=20
expression of diverse viewpoints," as well as=20
provide "greater clarity" of broadcasters'=20
public-interest obligations. Sen Obama said he=20
"fully endorsed" new rules "promoting greater=20
coverage of local issues and greater=20
responsiveness of broadcasters to the communities=20
they operate in. I also believe that=20
broadcasters' license-renewal requests ... should=20
require greater FCC scrutiny and public input=20
should occur more frequently." He added that he=20
"strongly requested" that the FCC "put out any=20
specific changes they intend to vote on in a new=20
notice of proposed rulemaking."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6480419.html?rssid=3D193

* Teamsters Urge FCC To Keep Cross-Ownership Ban
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher]
In testimony prepared for Thursday evening's=20
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) public=20
hearing, the International Brotherhood of=20
Teamsters argued that the going-private deal for=20
Tribune Co. is a perfect example of why media=20
ownership regulations should not be loosened. The=20
Teamsters oppose the Tribune buyout led by=20
Chicago real estate mogul Sam Zell, saying the=20
structure of the employee stock ownership plan=20
(ESOP) being used to swing the deal gives workers=20
no real voice in the management of the company.=20
The deal, which was approved last month in a=20
stockholders vote, is expected to close by the=20
end of the year. "The proposed Tribune buyout is=20
an example of why the FCC must concern itself=20
with the ownership structure of media companies=20
-- particularly when waivers of cross-broadcast=20
ownership rules have been sought -- in order to=20
fulfill its mission to protect localism,=20
viewpoint diversity, media access and other=20
issues of vital importance," the union's written=20
testimony stated. "The structure proposed in the=20
Tribune application provides insight into the=20
potential dangers of approving an ownership=20
structure that insulates an individual with total=20
control of a company from the owners of that=20
company as well as the diverse interests of the=20
communities that company serves," the Teamsters=20
added, referring to Zell becoming chairman when the deal closes.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003644220

* Chicago=92s Local Broadcasters Speak Up
[SOURCE: StopBigMedia.com]
Local and independent broadcasters around Chicago=20
spoke up at fifth FCC hearing on media ownership.=20
They are eager to highlight the ways in which=20
independent radio, TV and newspapers consistently=20
serve the public interest, while Big Media turns=20
its back on local communities. 1) WVON radio --=20
=91Level the Laying Field=92: "WVON is the only=20
African-American-owned radio station in the=20
third-largest market in America and, until last=20
year, operated on a shared frequency,=94 said=20
Melody Spann-Cooper, president of WVON. =93We stand=20
as the best example of why the FCC must look at=20
alternatives that will increase minority=20
participation and level the playing field. It is=20
the only way to ensure that the broadcast=20
industry becomes more inclusive and better=20
reflects the true diversity of our country.=94 2)=20
Radio Arte -- Minorities Usurped by Big Media:=20
=93The voices of Latinos, youth, women and other=20
groups are being usurped by the special interests=20
of media companies that produce programming that=20
is all too often homophobic, misogynistic,=20
anti-immigrant and absent the diversity found in=20
our communities,=94 said Silvia Rivera, general=20
manager of Radio Arte 90.5 FM. =93Radio Arte=20
rejects any additional media consolidation and=20
challenges the FCC to adopt rules that open up=20
ownership opportunities for Chicago=92s=20
marginalized groups.=94 Chicago Independent Radio=20
-- Let=92s Foster Alternatives: The FCC is coming=20
to Chicago at just the right time for the newly=20
launched Chicago Independent Radio Project. The=20
project=92s founder, Shawn Campbell, argues that we=20
must not only fight Big Media, but also work to=20
foster vibrant alternatives to the corporate=20
media conglomerates. =93The media landscape has=20
grown increasingly homogenized at a time in our=20
country=92s history when independent voices are=20
more important than ever,=94 Campbell said. =93It is=20
crucial that we raise our voices in opposition to=20
further media consolidation, while at the same=20
time, working to ensure there will be more media=20
outlets that truly are serving local communities=20
and broadcasting in the public interest.=94
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/blog/?p=3D120

* WGA Pushes Branded Integration Identification
Writers Guild of America West president Patric=20
Verrone wants the Federal Communications=20
Commission to force television networks to=20
clearly disclose to viewers when shows include=20
branded integrations. Verrone said he is not=20
attacking product placement, where a branded=20
product simply acts as a prop, but embedded=20
advertising, where "the wacky next-door neighbor=20
announces that this week he is a bottled-water=20
salesman and extols the crisp refreshing taste of=20
that particular brand of water." "When writers=20
are told that we must incorporate a commercial=20
product into the story lines we=92ve written, we=20
cease to be creators," he said."We become=20
advertisers ourselves. Actors are subjected to=20
forced endorsement when their character must=20
shill the products without compensation or=20
consultation. Consumers are required to watch=20
commercial messages that are no longer identified=20
as commercial messages. And in our experience=20
people want (and deserve) to be told when they=20
are being sold." Verrone said the FCC needs to=20
step in to help viewers navigate the increasingly=20
brand-heavy programming landscape.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6480425.html?rssid=3D193
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...OK, now we're outta here. Have a great weekend.
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Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
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