Republican controlled FCC votes to allow more media consolidation

[RedEarth]

Free Press Blasts FCC Media Ownership Vote

WASHINGTON, DC - December 18 -- Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to remove the longstanding “newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership” ban that prohibits a local newspaper from owning a broadcast station in the same market.

Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, issued the following statement:

“FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is ignoring the public will and defying the U.S. Senate. His decision to gut longstanding ownership rules shows once again how the largest media companies — with their campaign contributions and high-powered lobbyists — are corrupting the policymaking process at the expense of local news coverage and independent voices.

“Martin’s FCC relied on slanted research and a rigged process to reach today’s preordained outcome — local media wrapped in a bow for Tribune, News Corp., Gannett and all the rest.

“With these new rules, there is no doubt that the ownership diversity crisis will get worse as these companies cash in on consolidation. Expect more newsroom layoffs and less quality news coming soon to a city near you.

“Fortunately, the fight is far from over. More than two dozen senators have already vowed to throw out these new rules. And the courts won’t look too kindly on the broken and corrupt process that brought us to today’s vote.

“The public simply won’t stand for another massive giveaway. They are sick and tired of partisan shouting and celebrity trash being passed off as news. They want more choices, more variety, more diversity — not more of the same. The growing public outcry is only going to get louder.”

Read the senators’ letter to Martin here.........

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/1218-04.htm

FCC Changes Broadcast-Newspaper Owner Ban
39 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission has agreed to overturn a 32-year-old ban and allow broadcasters in the nation's 20 largest media markets to also own a newspaper.

Republican Chairman Kevin Martin says his plan is a "relatively minor loosening" of the rule, but it has received a considerable amount of opposition.

On Monday, 25 senators, including four Republicans, sent him a letter threatening that if he goes ahead with the vote, they will move legislation to revoke the rule and nullify the commission's action.

But according to a letter that surfaced late Monday, it is clear the chairman has the full support of the White House. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez wrote Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Dec. 4 expressing the administration's opposition to legislation approved by the Senate Commerce Committee that would have delayed a vote.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hlYj9ojD7umgLJiTK_I0DfwU50iAD8TK10OG0

[atreides1]

1. Empty Threats From The Senate

Martin had nothing to worry about, the Democrats have been bending over for at least the last 6 months, and all the little dictator has to do is to scream "VETO", and they will all fall into line.

Anyone want to bet that the Senate does anything?

[walldude]

2. Oh but we were promised that this will be blocked!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2486812

Wow another promise broken.. I'm shocked.

[Justitia]

3. This is HORRIBLE! It cannot stand. We won't survive the propaganda wars.

Damn! This MUST be stopped, or all our efforts to inform on a level playing field (already unlevel) will be for nothing.

Pravda, here we come.