FCC Reopens Ownership Rules Review

The FCC, at its WEDNESDAY open hearing, has voted to relaunch its media ownership rules review with six hearings across the country and additional research on changes in the media landscape. 

While Chairman KEVIN MARTIN said that the Commission will approach the matter differently from the last review (which resulted in a remand from the Third Circuit Court), Commissioners MICAHEL COPPS and JONATHAN ADELSTEIN opposed some of MARTIN's plan, saying that the panel should commit now to letting the public respond after the Commission comes up with specific proposals, with ADELSTEIN warning that "we seem to be repeating past mistakes."  MARTIN responded that the two Democratic Commissioners were "rushing to judgement" on the issue before the process starts.

...We seem to be repeating past mistakes.

The NAB issued a statement in support of the FCC's action, saying through spokesman DENNIS WHARTON that that it "is pleased the FCC is moving forward with its media ownership review, and we hope the outcome brings greater clarity to rules that preserve free, over-the-air broadcasting's role as the premiere news, information and entertainment source for tens of millions of Americans."

The Commission plans to give the public 120 days to comment on the proceeding.

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