Congress to FCC's Martin: Slow Down, Get Media Rules Right

CONGRESS TO FCC'S MARTIN: SLOW DOWN, GET MEDIA RULES RIGHT
Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama (D-IL) and Joe Biden (D-DE) and Reps John Dingell (D-MI) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) have expressed concerns about the FCC's recently announced schedule to complete its media ownership proceeding. In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, Sen Obama wrote, "I believe both the proposed timeline and process are irresponsible." "It is unclear what your intent is on the rest of the media ownership regulations," he wrote. "Repealing the cross ownership rules and retaining the rest of our existing regulations is not a proposal that has been put out for public comment; the proper process for vetting it is not in closed door meetings with lobbyists or in selective leaks to the New York Times." "The Federal Communications Commission's plan to lift its anti-monopoly regulations could have dangerous consequences,” said Sen. Biden. “If this plan goes forward, two or three media conglomerates could end up controlling every broadcast medium in the country. From a safety perspective, what happens if one company controls the television, radio and Internet services in a region and its servers go down during a natural disaster or terrorist attack? From a constitutional perspective, what happens when one company owns all of the airwaves in an area and it refuses to broadcast certain content? These are important security and constitutional issues best addressed by keeping the current rules in place.” House Commerce Committee Chairman Dingell said, "I urge the Commission not to rush to judgment in its media ownership proceeding. Issues of this magnitude and importance deserve nothing less than the full and measured consideration of the Chairman and Commissioners. The Commission’s last attempt to craft ownership rules was largely invalidated by an appellate court, and the Commission should avoid that outcome in this instance." House Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Rush (D-IL) said he’s concerned by the lack of minority and female ownership of telecommunications properties and that the lack of such ownership is “particularly disturbing” given that spectrum is a public asset.

* Obama calls FCC "irresponsible" on media ownership rule plans
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/490
* Obama Calls On Martin to Slow Down on Ownership Review
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6493172.html?rssid=193
* Obama: FCC Policies Must Encourage Media Ownership Diversity
http://obama.senate.gov/press/071022-obama_fcc_polic/

* FCC Plan Could Have Dangerous Consequences
http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=285720&

* Dingell Asks Martin to Go Slow on Ownership, Too
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6493289.html?rssid=193
* Dingell to FCC: Go Slow on Ownership
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/10/22/daily.14/
* Chairman Dingell's statement
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110st103.shtml

* Rush says FCC doesn't care about minority media ownership
http://broadcastengineering.com/news/congressmen-fcc-minority-media-owne...