Consumers Union Calls on Congress to Protect Local Ownership of The Media

May 13, 2003

Dear Senator:

We are writing in support of S.1046, introduced today by Senators Stevens, Hollings, Burns, Dorgan, Lott, and Wyden. This bill seeks to maintain the current 35 percent limit on the audience reach the nation's largest broadcasters may control nationwide. This broadcast ownership cap, one of six rules that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently reviewing, is critical to the independence and diversity of our nation's media.

The four major television networks, GE/NBC, Viacom/CBS, Disney/ABC, and News Corp./Fox, maximize their profits by getting their nationally-oriented programming in front of the largest national audience possible, which maximizes advertising revenue. These companies therefore have no incentive to support or promote locally oriented programming that may be more interesting and even draw more market share in a particular community at a particular point in time.

It is critical that these national companies not be allowed to be so large through ownership of too many local channels that they can dictate programming that does not meet the needs and tastes of the local community. Clearly, local broadcasters with no national profit-maximizing motives are better positioned to be responsive to their local communities. Preserving the 35 percent broadcast ownership cap helps achieve this objective.

The FCC must preserve this and other rules that were intended to provide multiple media owners and voices in a market. Greater consolidation among media giants could reduce the assortment of voices and opinions that are essential to a healthy democracy. If any of these six rules is seriously weakened, one company in a town could control the most popular newspaper and TV station, giving it an excessive control over the local news and information the public sees and hears.

Such a move would reduce the diversity of cultural and political discourse in a community. It could also raise costs for businesses that use local media for advertising. We believe S.1046 is a step in the right direction because it seeks to preserve at least one of these rules, the 35 percent broadcast ownership cap.

These media ownership rules hold enormous implications for all Americans. Yet the FCC has thus far refused to put forth the actual changes it would like to make to the rules. The Commission has repeatedly ignored requests from bipartisan members of Congress for openness in its review process, and has refused to make public its plans for changes. Indeed, the Commission appears headed for a final vote on the matter by June 2nd.

We applaud Senators Stevens, Hollings, Burns, Dorgan, Lott, and Wyden for introducing legislation to ensure that all Americans have access to the local news and information they need to participate in our democracy. We urge you to show your support for citizens' access to a diverse and independent media by co-sponsoring S. 1046. Your timely support is especially critical as the FCC races toward its June 2nd deadline.

If you would be interested in more information about the need for the FCC's media ownership rules, please contact me or Christopher Murray at Consumers Union at (202) 462-6262. Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

Gene Kimmelman
Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
Consumers Union Washington DC Office

May 13, 2003

United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

We are writing in support of H.R.2052, introduced on May 9, 2003, by Representatives Burr, Dingell, Deal, and Price. This bill seeks to maintain the current 35 percent limit on the audience reach the nation's largest broadcasters may control nationwide. This broadcast ownership cap, one of six rules that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently reviewing, is critical to the independence and diversity of our nation's media.

Such a move would reduce the diversity of cultural and political discourse in a community. It could also raise costs for businesses that use local media for advertising. We believe H.R.2052 is a step in the right direction because it seeks to preserve at least one of these rules, the 35 percent broadcast ownership cap.

We applaud Representatives Burr, Dingell, Deal, and Price for introducing legislation to ensure that all Americans have access to the local news and information they need to participate in our democracy. We urge you to show your support for citizens' access to a diverse and independent media by co-sponsoring H.R.2052. Your timely support is especially critical as the FCC races toward its June 2nd deadline.

Sincerely,

Gene Kimmelman
Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
Consumers Union Washington DC Office

View Files Sorted By Office: Consumers Union OPI, New York - Washington DC Office
West Coast Regional Office - Southwest Regional Office - Consumer Policy Institute

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