In a message dated 12/17/2007 8:22:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: By reregulate radio I meant that they
would be requiring more local content as a part of license renewal.
============================================== That's not the issue in
contention in tomorrow's vote. The issue is expansion of big media over
the objections of independent media and the public. The Senate is
threatening to override the vote taken tomorrow. Statement on the FCC
web site by dissenting Commissioners Copps and Adelstein
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278142A1.pdf
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278142A1.pdf>
===============================================
NEWS Federal Communications Commission FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA
CONTACTS, November 13, 2007 The proposal could repeal the ban in
every market in America, not just the top twenty. Any city, no matter
how small, could be subjected to newspaper broadcast ownership
combinations under a very loose standard. Under Chairman Martin's
plan, all markets will be open to one company combining broadcast
properties with cable, the newspaper (already a monopoly in most
places), even the Internet Service Provider. His proposal could propel a
frenzy of competition-stifling mergers across the land. Consider:
-The top 20 markets account for over 43% of U.S. households. Even on its
face, this proposal directly affects over 120 million Americans.
- The Chairman then creates a loophole that Big Media will drive a truck
through, permitting a newspaper-broadcast combination in any market in
the country. We have seen how loosely the Commission has granted waivers
in the past. If this proposal goes through, the FCC could grant
cross-ownership applications in such small towns as Meridian,
Mississippi and Bend, Oregon. When big conglomerates can't get their
way in a general rule, they press for loopholes that swallow the rule,
and they would succeed with this approach.
- The non-top four stations that major newspapers will now be competing
for are precisely the stations more likely to be owned by small,
independent broadcasters. All designed to make sure that the Chairman
can deliver a generous gift to Big Media before the holidays. For the
rest of us: a lump of coal.
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================== Chairman Martie, "You're doing a heck of a job."
