Senators warn FCC not to relax media ownership rules

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) blasted a Federal Communications Commission proposal to relax media ownership restrictions at a press conference.

"We cannot live in a vibrant democracy unless people get divergent sources of information," Sen Sanders said. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski circulated a proposal with his fellow commissioners last month that would relax regulations that prohibit a single company from owning a TV broadcast station and a newspaper in the same market. The order would eliminate bans on newspaper-radio and TV-radio cross-ownership. "I intend to do everything I can to prevent this proposal from going forward," Sen Sanders said. Sen Cantwell said the proposal would "strengthen media consolidation and strip newspapers and TV and radio stations of diverse voices." She threatened that if the FCC moves ahead with the planned changes, Congress could pass a resolution of disapproval, which would repeal the order. Sens Sanders and Cantwell both expressed concern that the move would reduce the few number of women and minorities who own media outlets.