• February 26, 2003

The Federal Communications Commission will hold what will likely be its only “official” public hearing on its proposed changes to a half dozen media ownership rules in Richmond, VA Thursday. The FCC is considering easing and eliminating restrictions that date back decades, which could radically alter the media landscape. Among the speakers will be NBC’s Jay Ireland, Fox Television’s Thomas Herwitz, Clear Channel’s Mark Mays, and Young Broadcasting’s Deborah McDermott. Newspaper Association of America president/CEO John Sturm will also testify, arguing in favor of lifting the 1975 ban on newspaper-broadcast ownership in the same market. “Co-owned broadcast stations naturally are able to provide more in-depth coverage of local news and public affairs than other media outlets in their communities, Sturm will testify. But activists fear further consolidation will reduce the number of “voices” heard and hurt consumer choice. Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy says the remaining federal “checks and balances” on media ownership must be maintained. “If successful, one major TV network will be able to buy another, merge with cable giants, and swallow up newspapers and additional radio and TV stations,” predicts Chester. FCC chairman Michael Powell told a House Subcommittee Wednesday, “I don’t have a lot of passion about how this comes out,” saying his main objective will be to adopt rules that pass judicial review. The FCC says it should begin ruling on the proposed changes by late spring .