Plank of Democratic Platform Turns Spotlight on Media Ownership, Privacy, Net Neutrality

The Democratic Party's decision to include media ownership, TV programming and heightened privacy protections in its platform could increase the probability those issues will show up on the congressional and regulatory radar screen next year, some political observers and media association executives say. Whether it will lead to any new support for action or reflects a likelihood that was already pretty certain was less clear. "Is the era of deregulation over for broadcasters? The answer is yes," said Dennis Wharton, executive VP of media relations for the National Association of Broadcasters. "However, it was already pretty clear that the environment will change whether Barack Obama or John McCain becomes president." "We will have to make an even stronger case that broadcasters are where Americans turn first for local news and information," he added. The ownership and programming language was part of the final draft of the platform released last week and due to be voted on by delegates to the Democratic National Convention.