It was no different for the three giant radio broadcasters. They were able to acquire the great majority of the 2000 stations bought between 1996 and 2000, after which Clear Channel Communications bought AMFM Radio to become the nation's largest radio broadcaster with over 900 stations (plus its 19 TV stations) that combined with its international holdings makes it the largest one in the world.
Regulatory easing had a devastating effect on local diversity according to Free Press.net Research Director S. Derek Turner. In testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on October 23 he said: "Congress must send a message to the FCC to stop its rush toward more consolidation. Ownership rules exist for a reason: to increase diversity and localism, which in turn produces more diverse speech, more choice for listeners, and more owners who are responsive to their local communities."
Free Press, the Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union voiced their opposition to proposed changes by filing thousands of pages of comments October 22 against the FCC plan. Their research shows ownership limits enhance local news quantity and quality. It refutes FCC's "inconsistent, incompetent and incoherent" opposite claims case and fraudulent press release in mid-November that its proposal was just a "minor loosening of the (cross-ownership) ban....in (only) the very largest markets and subject to certain criteria and limitations." Left out of its comment was the fine print Free Press exposed below on November 26 in 10 facts:
(1) "Martin's proposal (hides) corporate welfare for Big Media (that will) unleash a buying spree in the top 20 (media) markets."
(2) "Loopholes (through waivers) open the door to cross-ownership" anywhere.
(3) "Loopholes allow newspapers to own TV stations of any size (and) top-rated stations to (buy) major newspapers."
(4) "FCC history shows weak standards won't protect the public (and) the FCC hasn't denied any temporary waiver request in years."
(5) "Cross-ownership doesn't create more local news" as dominant companies crowd out competition.
(6) "Cross-ownership won't solve newspapers' financial woes" that are greatly exaggerated.
(7) "The Internet is an opportunity, not a death sentence," and media consolidation won't help traditional media's financial problems.
(8) "Martin's plan would harm minority media owners" by making them takeover targets.
(9) "A broken and corrupt process creates bad policies" that are characterized by FCC's secrecy and rush to change media ownership rules for the media barons it supports.
(10) "The public doesn't want more media consolidation" expressed by 99% of comments to FCC opposing letting media giants "swallow up more local media."
The Prometheus Radio Project (dedicated to a "free, diverse, and democratic media") also expressed its concern about Chairman Martin's plan to weaken rules to allow "unchecked corporate power in media" and the inadequate timeline he set for public comments. Prometheus also wants scheduled proceedings delayed until the Localism Task Force (established in 2003 to strengthen broadcasting localism) integrates the results of its work into FCC's ownership proposals. It stresses that corporations don't own the airwaves. They belong to the public and "setting a reasonable set of limitations on ownership (won't burden) those (given) the privilege (to) broadcast signals for the public benefit." Prometheus wants FCC to retain current ownership rules and devote its efforts to establish more low power radio licenses, preserve net neutrality, expand cable access, better use unlicensed spectrum and promote diversity and localism.
The Senate Commerce Committee is now examining Martin's proposal, and Senator Byron Dorgan predicted it would be greeted by "a firestorm of protest" as in 2003. Other senators voicing concern include Republican Trent Lott and Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama who called "the proposed timeline and process....irresponsible" and added "the Commission has failed to further the goals of diversity in the media and promote localism, and as a result, it is in no position to justify allowing for increased consolidation of the market." Dorgan and Lott began work on a bipartisan bill to prevent FCC from instituting new media consolidation rules. Dorgan predicted on October 24 he's "confident any plan to allow additional concentration of media ownership will be rejected" by Congress.
He and Lott also said they'd seek support in Congress for a "resolution of disapproval" to overturn the FCC rule if it's passed. It's a rare move that was only once before used in 2003 when the Powell-led FCC tried to change the rules. To take effect, it would have to pass both Houses by two-thirds margins because George Bush is certain to veto it. Presidential vetos are rarely overridden, but that pattern may not hold up this time.
I am a 72 year old, retired, progressive small businessman concerned about all the major national and world issues, committed to speak out and write about them.
These guys are relentless. This measure was defeated by over-whelming public outrage when Michael Powell headed the agency, now they're back at it again. It doesn't matter to the cretins what the rule of law, the Constitution or anything else means, it's all in their way of total conquest.
They're like all the murdering monsters from those horror movies where the creature never dies, it keeps coming back to life every few years to try again and again to destroy everything in its path.
Enough already! It's time to put a stake in the heart of this monster.
by
Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 9 diaries, 1256 comments)
on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 5:45:55 PM
