Adelstein Asks Martin For Formal Inquiry Into Arbitron Ratings System

Federal Communications Commission member Jonathan Adelstein has asked FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to open a formal inquiry into whether Arbitron's Portable People Meter radio ratings system is "unfairly harming minority broadcasters." The FCC sought comment back in September about whether it should conduct an investigation into whether the meters undercounted minorities and thus undercut the viability of diverse media outlets. In a letter to Chairman Martin Tuesday, Commissioner Adelstein said that the upshot of those comments was that there was sufficient concern to warrant the investigation and that it needed to begin ASAP given that Arbitron was continuing to roll out the technology. Arbitron responded: "Arbitron does not believe that the FCC has jurisdiction over the Company or its operations and assets and consequently lacks the authority to commence a Section 403 investigation."