Dorgan Asks FCC to Complete Localism Proceeding

DORGAN ASKS FCC TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable]
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) has asked FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to make sure the Commission completes its localism proceedings -- including holding more meetings -- and issues a public report before rewriting media ownership rules. He was joined by a handful of Democratic and Republican colleagues on the Senate Commerce Committee -- Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), John Kerry (D-MA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Trent Lott (R-MS). Senators are concerned that Chairman Martin is planning to just fold filed comments in the localism proceeding into the current media ownership proceeding without continuing on with the separate proceeding to conclusion and a report. They also say the FCC has held only two of a planned six hearings related to the localism proceeding and they want it to complete those as well. The localism proceeding was opened by former FCC Chairman Michael Powell in 2003.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6397482.html?display=Breaking...

* See Sen Dorgan press release: http://dorgan.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=266333