FCC Schedules Localism Hearing

Next Localism Meeting In D.C.

The FCC schedules its sixth localism hearing for OCTOBER 31st in WASHINGTON as the last item on the Commission's open meeting agenda.

The last-minute scheduling drew the wrath of Commissioners MICHAEL COPPS and JONATHAN ADELSTEIN, who issued a statement saying, “Tonight’s Public Notice doesn’t bode well for the future of the Commission’s localism and media ownership proceedings. Over two weeks ago, we agreed to clear our calendars for the possibility of a localism hearing in WASHINGTON on OCTOBER 31st. But neither we nor the public received any confirmation that the hearing would occur until tonight -- just five business days before the event. This is unacceptable and unfair to the public, and it makes putting together an expert panel nearly impossible.

“Is the Commission serious about allowing the public to participate in the agency’s decision-making? Or is the goal to be able to claim that hearings have been held, even if the public has not had a chance to fully participate?”

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