Common Cause, Benton Challenge FCC Ownership Change

COMMON CAUSE, BENTON CHALLENGE FCC OWNERSHIP CHANGE
Common Cause, the Benton Foundation, Consumers Action, the Massachusetts Consumers' Coalition, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and others filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission Monday asking it to reconsider and modify the decision to loosen media ownership rules, as well as to grant waivers to some existing combos, as well as its decision not to tighten -- or loosen -- TV or radio local ownership rules. For one thing, it wants the commission to rescind waivers it granted Media General for combos in Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C.; Columbus, Ga.; Panama City, Fla.; and Tri-Cities, Tennessee/Virginia, as well as Gannett for its Phoenix combo. They also want the commission to: 1) Revise the rule so that waivers will be granted only if it is presumed in the public interest or saves a failing media outlet or passes a tougher test on the provision of local news. 2) Require applicants to provide ample public notice of merger/waiver requests and seek such waivers within 30 days of a purchase.
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