Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), a long-standing opponent of media consolidation, on Monday called the Department of Justice decision [1] to approve the merger of XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio "another disappointing example of this administration's blatant disregard for the public interest with regard to media ownership."

Dorgan continued, "There seems to be no limit to the mergers this administration will approve. These two companies were issued licenses a decade ago to provide competing national satellite radio service. Their license approval included a clause that prohibits them from merging into one company. Now the Justice Department has decided the contract they signed can't stand in the way of consolidation. That doesn't make any sense to me."

Dorgan said "the American consumer will pay the price" if the XM-Sirius merger ultimately eliminates competition in satellite radio. The merger, proposed a year ago, is still awaiting a decision from the FCC; FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said last week [2] that the commission is still weighing its options.