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> Mon., June. 2, 2003
Pacifica's PeaceWatch
Today's Stories:
Federal regulators relaxed decades-old
rules restricting media ownership today, permitting companies
to buy more television stations and own a newspaper and a
broadcast outlet in the same city.
Note: if the audio link is incorrect, please check the Peacewatch
page at Radio4All.net
here
Tape: Peace Activists CODE PINK Demonstrating at the Federal
Communications Commission Hearing
FCC Chair Michel Powell announcing the results of a controversial
vote…as protestors are escorted out of the building.
Federal regulators relaxed decades-old rules restricting
media ownership today, permitting companies to buy more television
stations and own a newspaper and a broadcast outlet in the
same city.
The Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission
voted 3-2 - along party lines to adopt a series of changes
favored by media companies. These companies argued that existing
ownership rules were outmoded on a media landscape that has
been substantially altered by cable TV, satellite broadcasts
and the Internet.
Critics say the eased restrictions would likely lead to
a wave of mergers landing a few giant media companies in control
of even more of what the public sees, hears and reads.
Before Congress largely eliminated radio ownership limits
with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the two largest companies
owned 115 stations. Today, these two companies own 1,451 radio
stations. In one half of the largest markets, the three largest
companies control 80% of the radio audience.
This massive media consolidation has had a devastating impact
on minorities who now own less than 4% of radio stations and
less than 2% of the full power TV stations in the US.
At an FCC hearing today the body voted 3-2 to lift the current
ownership restrictions. Among the commissioners supporting
a relaxation of the rules, Chairman Michael Powell, the son
of Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Tape: Michael Powell, FCC chair announcing the new FCC rules
governing media ownership.
The new FCC ownership rules permits networks to own stations
that "reach 90% of the nation" according Democratic
Congressman John Conyers of Michigan. FCC Commissioner Kevin
Martin asserts that the Congress of the United States mandated
their decision.
Tape: Kevin Martin FCC Commission speaking in Washington,
DC today, announcing the new FCC rules.
FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy responded to concerns
for media ownership rules that may limit diversity and competition
for minority ownership in a single market and that consolidation
in a market may adversely affect the availability of variety
in children programming.
Tape: FCC commissioner Kathleen Abernathy.
The only two Commissioners opposing the relaxing of the
rules were Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps.
Tape: Commissioner Copps.
Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein joined Copps in fighting
to defeat the rules changes.
Tape: Ryme Katkhouda
Many opposed the Federal Communications Commission vote
today. They packed the hearing rooms and demonstrated both
inside and outside the FCC offices in Washington DC.
Ryme Katkhouda, Peacewatch producer for WPFW, Pacifica's
station in Washington DC was there and brings us a sounds
collage of their chants and voices.
Tape: Thanks to Ryme Katkhouda, Peacewatch producer for
WPFW, Pacifica's station in Washington DC, Joshalyn Lawrence
from the DC-Radio-Coop and Dan Dan from Radio Volta in Philadelphia,
for this segment
Senator Fritz Hollings
Also reacting critically to today’s FCC ruling were
several members of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees
operation of the FCC. Among those expressing concerns were
Mississippi Republican Senator Trent Lott and South Carolina
Democrat Fritz Hollings, who went so far as to suggest de-funding
the FCC budget to enforce this ruling…
Tape: South Carolina Democrat Fritz Hollings of the Senate
Commerce Committee.
Shortly after the ruling this morning, Peacewatch spoke with
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps for his reaction. Also joining
the conversation was veteran journalist Danny Schechter and
Executive Director of Mediachannel.org, as well as media activists
Damu Smith of Black Voices for Peace, And Medea Benjamin,
co-founder of Code Pink, who protested inside the FCC and
was dragged out by security guards as the vote was announced
this morning.
We started by asking FCC Commissioner Copps if he was surprised
by the results.
Tape: Danny Schechter is a 30-year veteran journalist who’s
worked at CNN and ABC. He also founded the independent video
production company Globalvision, and is Executive Director
of the website Mediachannel.org. Also taking part in the discussion
were dissident FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and media activists
Damu Smith of Black Voices for Peace and Medea Benjamin of
Code Pink: Women for Peace.
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