Issue Position: Telecommunications & Techonology - Media Consolidation

Issue Position

Americans must have access to unfiltered information about their government, as well as powerful nongovernmental entities, in order to properly exercise their responsibilities as citizens. We cannot have a government "of the people" if the people are kept in the dark.

Having a truly informed public requires media diversity. Simply put, the American public must be able to access news and entertainment from a variety of sources. That is why I adamantly oppose changes made to the media ownership rules by the FCC in December 2007. These changes would allow one company to own both a daily newspaper and a low-rated broadcast TV station in the 20 largest media markets. At the same time, the FCC voted to approve more than 40 waivers for pre-existing cross-owned combinations in markets large and small, effectively creating a loop hole for the larger media companies to own any station in any market.

I am very concerned about the further damage these changes will do to the already shrinking landscape of media ownership, consolidation, and diversity in our country. As we have seen with radio, these rules will likely lead to media consolidation and a reduction in the diversity of media outlets and content. Ultimately, this concentration reduces the quality and number of providers of information to such a community. Access to diverse and different media voices is important in a free society and a healthy democracy.

It is absolutely critical that we have a broad, public debate about these media ownership rules. To that end, I am a founding member and current co-chair of the Future of American Media (FAM) Caucus. I am also an original co-sponsor of legislation which would block the implementation of the FCC's 2007 rule changes.

Before their December 2007 vote, the FCC held six public meetings nation-wide, ostensibly to determine the public's feelings on media ownership and its many impacts. Records of these hearings do not indicate the support one might expect would result in the proceeding vote. While these meetings were a first step towards the broad and open discussion I would like to see, I will continue to work to make others aware of the disastrous results of media consolidation, and gather support for much stricter rules that promote the diversity and discussion for which we should strive.

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