Jackson Accuses FCC's Martin of Promoting 'Anti-Diversity Agenda'

JACKSON ACCUSES FCC'S MARTIN OF PROMOTING 'ANTI-DIVERSITY AGENDA'
[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: Ira Teinowitz]
Rev. Jesse Jackson is going on the offensive to blast Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin, accusing him of pushing an “anti-diversity agenda.” Chairman Martin has been pushing to revise media ownership rules before fully addressing how the changes might reduce minority ownership of stations while also promoting the option of a la carte cable, which could hurt minority-focused channels. Rev. Jackson also was critical of a suggestion from Chairman Martin that owners of TV stations ensure minority programming by leasing to minority broadcasters some of the additional stations they can air as a result of the digital transition. He warned that broadcasters would be more likely to rent the channels to programmers who want home shopping networks and infomercials, and that any FCC effort to ensure that cable companies carry those channels could prompt the cable companies to limit some of the minority channels they now carry. The proposal would give the minority broadcasters a “second-class status” and could make matters worse rather than better, he said. "The result would be that more non-minority broadcast channels, under the ultimate control of the same broadcasters who control the airwaves today, would get must-carry status, with the effect of squeezing out the precious channel space that would otherwise be available to prospective minority, women’s and other emerging cable and satellite programmers,” Rev. Jackson said.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/10/jackson_accuses_fccs_martin_of.php
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* Jackson Decries FCC’s 'Anti-Diversity' Agenda
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6495790.html?rssid=193