Press Release
FCC to Hold Workshop on Media Ownership at Stanford
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON – As part of its 2010 review of media ownership rules, the Federal Communications Commission will hold a public hearing on the impact of media consolidation and technological innovation on journalism on Friday, May 21, at Stanford in Palo Alto, Calif.
The FCC is evaluating its media ownership rules in the context of ongoing growth and innovation in online news access. The ownership rules govern the number of outlets that can be owned by a single company in a single media market. The rules are intended to encourage a diversity of voices and opinions and to minimize media consolidation. While innovation, new technologies and the Internet have widely expanded the news universe, local television and radio are still the primary sources for information for many Americans.
"With 50 percent of the U.S. population still reporting television and radio as their major sources for news and information, it is essential that these audiences have access to a variety of perspectives, not just an echo chamber,” said Tracy Rosenberg, director of Media Alliance.
While the Obama administration has opposed media consolidation, the big media companies have been pushing the FCC to dramatically weaken media ownership laws, and allow them to control even more local media.
“The notion that innovation nullifies the need for strong media ownership rules just doesn’t hold water,” said Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright. “Innovation in the newsgathering and reporting world, primarily in online media, should be seen as a complement to, not a replacement for, traditional media. The FCC’s media ownership rules are still essential to preserving quality news from diverse sources.“
Panelists for the public workshop include Tim Westergren, founder, Pandora Music; Eddy W. Hartenstein, publisher and CEO, Los Angeles Times; Jim Joyce, president, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians; and vice president, Communications Workers of America and Alan Mutter. The full agenda can be found here: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-298195A1.pdf
The FCC is evaluating its media ownership rules in the context of ongoing growth and innovation in online news access. The ownership rules govern the number of outlets that can be owned by a single company in a single media market. The rules are intended to encourage a diversity of voices and opinions and to minimize media consolidation. While innovation, new technologies and the Internet have widely expanded the news universe, local television and radio are still the primary sources for information for many Americans.
"With 50 percent of the U.S. population still reporting television and radio as their major sources for news and information, it is essential that these audiences have access to a variety of perspectives, not just an echo chamber,” said Tracy Rosenberg, director of Media Alliance.
While the Obama administration has opposed media consolidation, the big media companies have been pushing the FCC to dramatically weaken media ownership laws, and allow them to control even more local media.
“The notion that innovation nullifies the need for strong media ownership rules just doesn’t hold water,” said Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright. “Innovation in the newsgathering and reporting world, primarily in online media, should be seen as a complement to, not a replacement for, traditional media. The FCC’s media ownership rules are still essential to preserving quality news from diverse sources.“
Panelists for the public workshop include Tim Westergren, founder, Pandora Music; Eddy W. Hartenstein, publisher and CEO, Los Angeles Times; Jim Joyce, president, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians; and vice president, Communications Workers of America and Alan Mutter. The full agenda can be found here: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-298195A1.pdf
