FCC Chairman Turns Down Lawmakers' Request For Ownership Rules Hearing In Seattle

Julius Genachowski

In a letter dated APRIL 5th and released last week, FCC Chairman JULIUS GENACHOWSKI rejected a request by Sen. MARIA CANTWELL (D-WA) and Rep. JAY INSLEE (D-WA) that the Commission hold a field hearing in SEATTLE on the quadrennial media ownership rules review.  

GENACHOWSKI said that the Commission has already held a series of public workshops, including workshops in CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA and SOUTH CAROLINA" and had received "more than 100 comments and replies submitted for the record," but added, "If the Commission considers scheduling any addition public workshops or hearings, we will certainly consider SEATTLE."

CANTWELL and INSLEE's letter of FEBRUARY 9th noted that the FCC's "practice of holding local hearings on this issue is well-established" but that "it has yet to hold similar public hearings in the context of the 20I0 media ownership proceeding."  The letter also reminded GENACHOWSKI that the SEATTLE hearing in 2007 "was met with considerable criticism because the Commission provided only five days notice and conducted no community outreach to encourage attendance by the public."

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