This unacceptable abrogation of regulatory responsibility by the FCC’s Republican majority is sure to unleash a feeding frenzy of corporate acquisitions. More monopolistic cross-ownership of radio, TV, newspapers, the Internet and other media pipelines will result.
Deregulation of media ownership on this unprecedented scale deeply threatens the public’s first amendment right to what the Supreme Court has described as the “uninhibited marketplace of ideas.” In our democratic society, media ownership matters. It matters because ultimately it is the deciding factor that determines what America’s working families are able to consume in news, entertainment and information. It matters to our democracy because an informed public is the bedrock of our free and open society.
In addition, an even more highly concentrated media marketplace will be detrimental to the health and viability of the entire media and entertainment sectors, further eroding the quality of programming and availability.
We applaud the efforts of FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, who did their best to slow down the FCC’s deregulation juggernaut, involve citizens in the process and shine a brighter public light on the FCC proceedings. We also commend Senator McCain, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, as well as other committee members for their continuing oversight. Those efforts must continue and the Commission must be forced to revisit ownership deregulation as part of its biennial review process and Congress must hold the agency accountable. The public and our democracy deserve no less.
Contact: Lane Windham (202) 637-5018
