March 2008

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

The Federal Communications Commission's review of the proposed merger of XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio could still be done by the end of March. That had been FCC chairman Kevin Martin's projection, and he was not ready to revise or extend those remarks at a meeting with reporters Tuesday. Chairman Martin reiterated that he thought the two satellite-radio companies had a "high hurdle" given that they were the two national providers of the service. Although the companies argued that the market is broader and includes terrestrial radio, he added, "The commission's precedent would indicate that we would consider it in a narrower context." But he also said the companies’ proposal to deliver their satellite-radio channels in a modified a la carte regime "was intriguing and could provide for additional consumer protection."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538175.html?rssid=193

EU SET TO CLEAR GOOGLE/DOUBLECLICK MERGER
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: David Lawsky]
Google is expected to receive unconditional approval from European Union regulators next week for its $3.1 billion takeover of ad firm DoubleClick, people familiar with the situation said. The approval has long been expected because the European Commission decided in January not to object formally to the transaction. The Commission, the EU's top competition watchdog, has never rejected a deal without sending formal objections. Privacy advocates have objected to the deal, saying it would give the two firms unprecedented access to information about consumers. The Commission has said privacy considerations are outside the scope of its authority over mergers. The deal would combine Internet search engine giant Google's dominance in pay-per-click Web advertising with DoubleClick's market-leading position in flashier display ads.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSL0674359620080306

* Google likely to get EU approval to buy DoubleClick (Bloomberg)
http://www.siliconvalley.com/latestheadlines/ci_8472590

WORKING THE REFS
[SOURCE: MediaChannel.org, AUTHOR: Rory O'Connor]
[Commentary] Hillary won this week by working the refs. By constantly complaining about coverage, and relentlessly focusing on charges that the news media has favored Barack Obama and treated him far more gently than herself, Hillary was finally able to staunch the bleeding and stage a desperately needed, last minute comeback that will keep her in the game. By mocking the media, quoting Saturday Night Live, and “practically browbeating reporters,” her campaign lived to fight another day. And fight is the operative word. Going negative against the media, as well as her opponent, saved the day for the Clintons. For the first time, Senator Obama seemed off his game instead of on top of it, and on the defensive instead of in command, allowing his own, previously potent narrative to be eclipsed by Hillary’s. The Obama camp’s surprise was telegraphed on Tuesday by the candidate himself when he told reporters, “I am a little surprised that all the complaining about the refs has actually worked as well as it has for them. This whole spin of how the press has been so tough on them and not tough on us ­ I didn’t expect that you guys would bite on that. Clearly, Tina Fey and I are going to have a conversation.”
http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2008/03/05/working-the-refs

* Swing in momentum may alter media's focus
[SOURCE: Boston Globe, AUTHOR: Peter S. Canellos]
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/05/swing_in_momentum_...