Senators seek to overturn FCC media ownership rule

SENATORS SEEK TO OVERTURN FCC MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULE
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Peter Kaplan]
A bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) on Wednesday introduced a resolution aimed at overturning a decision by regulators that loosened media ownership restrictions in the 20 biggest U.S. cities. The Senate has 60 legislative days to vote on the "resolution of disapproval." "When nearly half of the people in this country are told that in their cities and towns the media will get the green light to consolidate, they will not be happy," he said. Sen Dorgan, a critic of media consolidation, has complained that the Federal Communications Commission did not do enough to get public comment before it approved the new rules in December. At issue is a new rule, narrowly approved by FCC commissioners on December 18, that eased a 32-year-old ban on ownership of a newspaper and broadcast outlet in a single market and granted exemptions to six specific combinations that had been pending before the agency. Critics say the easing the ownership rule would lead to more consolidation in the industry, eliminate independent voices and degrade local news coverage. They also contend that it created a loophole that would let media owners combine newspapers and broadcast outlets in many smaller markets around the United States, not just the top 20 cities.
http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSWAT00906720080305

* Dorgan Introduces ‘Resolution of Disapproval’ vs. Cross-Ownership Rules
The bill has 13 co-sponsors, according to Dorgan’s office, including Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama (IL) and Hillary Clinton (NY), as well as Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-MA), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Joe Biden (D-Del), Jack Reed (D-RI), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jon Tester (D-Mont).
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538457.html?rssid=193

* Media ownership rules back into play
Like a standard bill, the resolution will be taken up by the Senate Commerce Committee. If passed, it will move on to the Senate floor for a full vote. Dorgan said he already has approval from the committee's top two leaders to proceed with the resolution. So far, no companion resolution exists in the House. And President Bush could ultimately veto the resolution, undercutting its impact. The Senate has 60 legislative days to act on the resolution. But given the reduced number of legislative days due to the election year, the deadline could extend into summer or later.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981896.html?categoryid=21&cs=1&nid=...

* Dorgan: FCC Shaking Its Pom-Poms for Consolidation
Adds quotes from Free Press, Parents Television Council, National Organization of Women, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Prometheus Radio Project, the National Hispanic Media Coalition and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights -- all in favor of resolution.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538672.html?rssid=193

* NOW Supports Senate Resolution Promoting Diversity in Media Ownership
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/03/06/18483956.php