Press Release
FCC Commissioners Seek Public Input on Media Ownership in Ohio
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
COLUMBUS - On March 7, Federal Communications Commissioners from both sides of the aisle will attend the Town Meeting on the Future of Media in Columbus, Ohio. Organized by local and national public interest and consumer groups, the forum will offer residents of Ohio the rare chance to speak directly to Washington policymakers about the local impact of changes to media ownership rules.
Democratic commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps and Republican commissioner Robert McDowell will participate in the Columbus town meeting.
"I appreciate the opportunity to attend next week's Town Meeting on the Future of the Media," said Commissioner Robert McDowell. "While dramatic changes have occurred in the media landscape in recent years, we must ensure that the rules continue to promote our longstanding values of competition, diversity and localism. We need first-hand knowledge about how the FCC's ownership rules affect individual viewers and listeners, small businesses and media owners so that we can determine whether the times call for changes in those rules. I am studying these issues with an open mind and look forward to hearing more from the perspectives of all interested parties."
The FCC is currently reviewing the rules that govern how many newspapers, radio stations and TV stations one company can own in a local media market. In 2003, the FCC voted to seriously weaken these same media ownership rules. In response, millions of people contacted the FCC and Congress to oppose the changes. The Senate voted to overturn the rules, which were later tossed out in federal court - sending the FCC back to the drawing board.
"The fight against media consolidation is an American issue," said Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein. "It resonates with Americans throughout the political spectrum: from the right, to the left, and everywhere in between. The law that governs the FCC's review of broadcast ownership rules is very simple. It tells us to promote the public interest. A community town hall meeting like this one is the best way for me and my fellow commissioners to hear directly from the people of Ohio, rather than thinking somehow we inside the Washington Beltway know what is best."
The Town Meeting on the Future of Media in Columbus is the first community-organized forum attended by commissioners from both parties. The free event will include an open microphone session for the public to offer testimony on media issues to Commissioners Adelstein, Copps and McDowell. All testimony will be recorded and submitted to the FCC and Ohio's elected officials.
"I encourage every citizen to attend next Wednesday's hearing on media ownership and consolidation," said Commissioner Michael Copps. "The members of the FCC need your input as the agency considers the future of America's media. A majority of the Commission went down the wrong road three years ago and voted to weaken our ownership rules, largely ignoring the American people in the process. We can't let that happen again."
For more information on the Town Meeting on the Future of Media, please visit: http://www.freepress.net/future/=columbus or http://commoncause.org/futureofohiomedia.
Democratic commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps and Republican commissioner Robert McDowell will participate in the Columbus town meeting.
"I appreciate the opportunity to attend next week's Town Meeting on the Future of the Media," said Commissioner Robert McDowell. "While dramatic changes have occurred in the media landscape in recent years, we must ensure that the rules continue to promote our longstanding values of competition, diversity and localism. We need first-hand knowledge about how the FCC's ownership rules affect individual viewers and listeners, small businesses and media owners so that we can determine whether the times call for changes in those rules. I am studying these issues with an open mind and look forward to hearing more from the perspectives of all interested parties."
The FCC is currently reviewing the rules that govern how many newspapers, radio stations and TV stations one company can own in a local media market. In 2003, the FCC voted to seriously weaken these same media ownership rules. In response, millions of people contacted the FCC and Congress to oppose the changes. The Senate voted to overturn the rules, which were later tossed out in federal court - sending the FCC back to the drawing board.
"The fight against media consolidation is an American issue," said Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein. "It resonates with Americans throughout the political spectrum: from the right, to the left, and everywhere in between. The law that governs the FCC's review of broadcast ownership rules is very simple. It tells us to promote the public interest. A community town hall meeting like this one is the best way for me and my fellow commissioners to hear directly from the people of Ohio, rather than thinking somehow we inside the Washington Beltway know what is best."
The Town Meeting on the Future of Media in Columbus is the first community-organized forum attended by commissioners from both parties. The free event will include an open microphone session for the public to offer testimony on media issues to Commissioners Adelstein, Copps and McDowell. All testimony will be recorded and submitted to the FCC and Ohio's elected officials.
"I encourage every citizen to attend next Wednesday's hearing on media ownership and consolidation," said Commissioner Michael Copps. "The members of the FCC need your input as the agency considers the future of America's media. A majority of the Commission went down the wrong road three years ago and voted to weaken our ownership rules, largely ignoring the American people in the process. We can't let that happen again."
For more information on the Town Meeting on the Future of Media, please visit: http://www.freepress.net/future/=columbus or http://commoncause.org/futureofohiomedia.
