Submission + - FCC Plan: Freedom OF or FROM the Press? (editorandpublisher.com) 1
macduffman writes: Kevin Martin, Chairman of the FCC, has fired a volley in the war against media moguls... or is it in the war against freedom of the press? An article in the Editor and Publisher describes the plan to ban cross-ownership in the same market (i.e., owning a newspaper and a broadcast station in the same city). Several waivers exist for some current ownerships, but would not be passed on to new owners.
The plan calls for public comment beginning in mid-November, and the FCC would vote on it a month later. Naturally, some people have heated opnions. From the full article:
The plan calls for public comment beginning in mid-November, and the FCC would vote on it a month later. Naturally, some people have heated opnions. From the full article:
Democratic Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein did not object specifically to the Dec. 18 date, but did say the commission has a lot of work yet[....] "We should first address the appalling lack of ownership of media outlets by women and people of color."
Gene Kimmelman, [VP at] Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, had harsh words [for the plan....] "We will demonstrate this is purely an ideological, politically motivated effort to allow media companies to consolidate and dominate local markets."
The proposed schedule calls for a public hearing in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 31; another hearing on Nov. 2 in Seattle; publication of the proposed rule on Nov. 13; and a commission vote on Dec. 18.
Gene Kimmelman, [VP at] Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, had harsh words [for the plan....] "We will demonstrate this is purely an ideological, politically motivated effort to allow media companies to consolidate and dominate local markets."
The proposed schedule calls for a public hearing in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 31; another hearing on Nov. 2 in Seattle; publication of the proposed rule on Nov. 13; and a commission vote on Dec. 18.
