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Press Release
Free Press Echoes Congressional Concerns with Comcast-NBC Merger
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- Two prominent House leaders registered their concerns with Comcast’s proposed takeover of NBC Universal on Tuesday. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) filed separate letters with the Federal Communications Commission, voicing worries about the consolidation of so much media in the hands of a single company. Both members of Congress urged the FCC to protect consumers and competition by addressing the merger’s adverse impact on the emerging market for online video.
Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright issued the following statement:
"Free Press shares the concerns of Chairman Waxman and Rep. Markey regarding the proposed union between Comcast and NBC, and echoes their calls to the FCC to protect consumers from impacts of this mega-merger. Without tough FCC action, this deal will result in higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, and fewer voices in the news.
"The merger would put unprecedented control over content that consumers watch -- as well as how they watch it -- in the hands of one company, and would stifle any competition from innovative new online video services with the potential to free consumers from ever-increasing cable rate hikes. It is the duty of the FCC to protect consumer choice and to ensure that this merger does not do irreparable damage to competition in the marketplace."
Link to Chairman Waxman letter: http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2151:chairman-waxman-sends-letter-to-fcc-chairman-regarding-conditions-for-proposed-comcast-nbcu-combination&catid=154:correspondence&Itemid=55
Link to Rep. Markey letter: http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4164&Itemid=141
Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright issued the following statement:
"Free Press shares the concerns of Chairman Waxman and Rep. Markey regarding the proposed union between Comcast and NBC, and echoes their calls to the FCC to protect consumers from impacts of this mega-merger. Without tough FCC action, this deal will result in higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, and fewer voices in the news.
"The merger would put unprecedented control over content that consumers watch -- as well as how they watch it -- in the hands of one company, and would stifle any competition from innovative new online video services with the potential to free consumers from ever-increasing cable rate hikes. It is the duty of the FCC to protect consumer choice and to ensure that this merger does not do irreparable damage to competition in the marketplace."
Link to Chairman Waxman letter: http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2151:chairman-waxman-sends-letter-to-fcc-chairman-regarding-conditions-for-proposed-comcast-nbcu-combination&catid=154:correspondence&Itemid=55
Link to Rep. Markey letter: http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4164&Itemid=141
