Peter Loge
10-18-2007, 04:30 AM
There are now several threads about the upcoming scheduled Dec 18 vote on media ownership rules (most of which were started by me). None of those threads talk about the stakes and what to do next. I suggest this thread serve that purpose.
There are two full public hearings between here and Dec. 18, one on Oct 31 in DC and one in Seattle on Nov 2. Two of the Commissioners will be at Emerson College on Oct. 23rd discussing the impact of ownership rules on small business with Vin Di Bona and Lucie Salhany. There may be other public events as well -- preventing further consolidation is a big deal for the two Democratic Commissioners, Copps and Adelstein, and they are likely to do all they can to prevent it.
The most recent entrant into the debate that appears to be getting traction is minority ownership of stations. The FCC had a task force look into it, Chairman Martin has supported provisions in the recent spectrum auction to make it more accessible to women owned and minority owned stations, and it is an issue of concern for Commissioner Tate.
There is clearly a connection between vertical consolidation and diversity of ownership. The trick will be to make that connection and then use it to help make the case for an independant carve-out. Not an easy proposition, but one that could be worth a shot.
Chairman Martin's timetable was not greeted with universal praise. When it was made public in a US Senate Hearing yesterday, Senator Dorgan had pretty strong words against it. He was supported by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye. Chairman Martin faces a similar climate in the House where Telecomm Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey also opposes further consolidation. Ultimately the rules are the FCC's job, but Congress can sure make it tougher.
Advocates and other consolidation opponants will likely be looking to gum-up the works and slow the process as much as possible - ideally until 2009 when many hope that a Democrat will be elected president and a new 3-2 Democratic majority will prevent further consolidation and potentially open up the ownership landscape.
There are two full public hearings between here and Dec. 18, one on Oct 31 in DC and one in Seattle on Nov 2. Two of the Commissioners will be at Emerson College on Oct. 23rd discussing the impact of ownership rules on small business with Vin Di Bona and Lucie Salhany. There may be other public events as well -- preventing further consolidation is a big deal for the two Democratic Commissioners, Copps and Adelstein, and they are likely to do all they can to prevent it.
The most recent entrant into the debate that appears to be getting traction is minority ownership of stations. The FCC had a task force look into it, Chairman Martin has supported provisions in the recent spectrum auction to make it more accessible to women owned and minority owned stations, and it is an issue of concern for Commissioner Tate.
There is clearly a connection between vertical consolidation and diversity of ownership. The trick will be to make that connection and then use it to help make the case for an independant carve-out. Not an easy proposition, but one that could be worth a shot.
Chairman Martin's timetable was not greeted with universal praise. When it was made public in a US Senate Hearing yesterday, Senator Dorgan had pretty strong words against it. He was supported by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye. Chairman Martin faces a similar climate in the House where Telecomm Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey also opposes further consolidation. Ultimately the rules are the FCC's job, but Congress can sure make it tougher.
Advocates and other consolidation opponants will likely be looking to gum-up the works and slow the process as much as possible - ideally until 2009 when many hope that a Democrat will be elected president and a new 3-2 Democratic majority will prevent further consolidation and potentially open up the ownership landscape.