Both Sides Stand Their Ground At FCC Localism Hearing
November 1, 2007
The last of the FCC's series of public hearings on media ownership was held on Halloween in Washington D.C. Despite less than a week's notice before the hearing, the event attracted a number of critics of the proposed ownership rule changes, as well as a rally outside the Commission's office.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin reiterated his position on rule changes, recapped aspects of the debate on localism and discussed Low Power FM, which has been in the news this week. He added that the FCC has spent over $350,000 on its ten studies on localism, along with $150,000 on the six public hearings.
However, Martin's stance was drowned out by opposing voices, notably Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, who continued their vocal opposition to relaxing ownership rules.
In his prepared statement, Copps said there would be much lip service paid to the idea of localism, "Meanwhile, consolidation continues to choke the lifeblood out of localism, with its outsourced news, homogenized play lists and distant ownership. Meanwhile, consolidation denigrates diversity, denies minorities and women, and diminishes our already-distorted democratic dialogue."
Adelstein added that he was concerned about the short notice given about the hearing, which he said "raises real concerns about how serious we are about getting public input. Despite unanimous approval weeks ago to hold this hearing today, it was not announced to the public until the latest possible moment allowed by law – late, under the dark of night, just five business days ago. This is not the way a government agency should conduct the people’s business."
Meanwhile, members of the public as well as the hearing panelists spoke out against any further consolidation. XM's Bob Edwards, appearing on behalf of AFTRA, said, "If you further deregulate media in this country, networks, broadcast stations and newspapers will continue to consolidate, resulting in fewer voices heard by citizens. If you permit this consolidation, television stations and newspapers ... will adopt a business model that shuts out local news and entertainment in favor of national homogenized programming," according to The Washington Post.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was also a panelist, calling for more local media strength and more minority ownership. He also took the opportunity to speak out against the proposed merger of XM and Sirius, saying the deal would not be in the public interest and would further eliminate diversity. And in the spirit of Halloween, a group of protesters arrived dressed in cheerleader outfits, mocking the FCC with a chant of "Two-four-six-eight, who do we consolidate? Media!"
November 1, 2007
The last of the FCC's series of public hearings on media ownership was held on Halloween in Washington D.C. Despite less than a week's notice before the hearing, the event attracted a number of critics of the proposed ownership rule changes, as well as a rally outside the Commission's office.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin reiterated his position on rule changes, recapped aspects of the debate on localism and discussed Low Power FM, which has been in the news this week. He added that the FCC has spent over $350,000 on its ten studies on localism, along with $150,000 on the six public hearings.
However, Martin's stance was drowned out by opposing voices, notably Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, who continued their vocal opposition to relaxing ownership rules.
In his prepared statement, Copps said there would be much lip service paid to the idea of localism, "Meanwhile, consolidation continues to choke the lifeblood out of localism, with its outsourced news, homogenized play lists and distant ownership. Meanwhile, consolidation denigrates diversity, denies minorities and women, and diminishes our already-distorted democratic dialogue."
Adelstein added that he was concerned about the short notice given about the hearing, which he said "raises real concerns about how serious we are about getting public input. Despite unanimous approval weeks ago to hold this hearing today, it was not announced to the public until the latest possible moment allowed by law – late, under the dark of night, just five business days ago. This is not the way a government agency should conduct the people’s business."
Meanwhile, members of the public as well as the hearing panelists spoke out against any further consolidation. XM's Bob Edwards, appearing on behalf of AFTRA, said, "If you further deregulate media in this country, networks, broadcast stations and newspapers will continue to consolidate, resulting in fewer voices heard by citizens. If you permit this consolidation, television stations and newspapers ... will adopt a business model that shuts out local news and entertainment in favor of national homogenized programming," according to The Washington Post.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was also a panelist, calling for more local media strength and more minority ownership. He also took the opportunity to speak out against the proposed merger of XM and Sirius, saying the deal would not be in the public interest and would further eliminate diversity. And in the spirit of Halloween, a group of protesters arrived dressed in cheerleader outfits, mocking the FCC with a chant of "Two-four-six-eight, who do we consolidate? Media!"
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