John Kerry Follows Through On Media Consolidation Threat

by Jason Rosenbaum :: Filed Under Media Issues :: April 1st, 2008 @ 3:41 pm EST

In early March, Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced a “resolution of disapproval” with the FCC’s latest ruling opening up our media to further consolidation:

Despite the fact that, according to Josh Silver at Free Press, “99% of public comments did not support further consolidation,” and despite the fact that, according to Tim Winter of the Parents Television Council, “Studies show newspapers do not take television and radio stations to task when they are owned by the same outlet,” the FCC went ahead and gave big media companies more room to consolidate at the expense of local coverage, minority ownership, and balanced reporting.

Today, Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced a “resolution of disapproval” in the Senate that would nullify the FCC’s wrong-headed ruling…

Tomorrow, that bill will take the next step as it comes up for a vote in the Senate Commerce Committee. As John Kerry explains, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin rushed these new rules through the FCC, handing out lighter regulations that make it much easier for the handful of big media companies that already control the vast majority of America’s news and information to further consolidate:

The Chairman had every opportunity to delay this rule so that the Commission could carefully consider how further consolidation might impact access to local content as well as the rapidly decreasing number of minority owned media outlets. After all, the FCCâ€™s own reports indicated that not enough data exists on these issues to make an informed decision. Instead, we had a rush to judgment on the flimsiest of pretexts, claiming the rule was needed because the newspaper industry is in need of a lift. Well, it may very well need a lift, but the newspaper industry isnâ€™t even regulated by the FCC, so Iâ€™m not sure why Chairman Martin considers that a valid reason for Commission action. Especially in the face of so much public opposition and against direct congressional intent.

If Sen. Dorgan’s resolution passes Congress, the FCC’s rule will be repealed.

Less corporate control over media means more diverse viewpoints on television, radio, and the Internet. It means limiting the power of the media to shape America’s viewpoints. If you’d like to see more competition in the media landscape, take action!

First, get in touch with the Senators on the Commerce Committee and tell them to pass the bill, S.J. Res 28: