4-17-2012
He calls it "dangerous to democracy." FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell says the law prohibiting broadcast and newspaper ownership sticks in his craw and needs to "done away with." McDowell says the marketplace has changed quite a bit and this law has "caused a reduction of voices in the marketplace," especially for minorities and women. It was in 1975 that the commission adopted a rule banning cross-ownership. In 2007 the FCC revised that rule and reviews on a case-by-case basis.
McDowell is certainly leaning toward more deregulation if the commission does get to a point where that becomes a high agenda item. It's unlikely due to spectrum being a much higher priority, in addition to several other factors: the comission is still functioning with only three (of five) members and it's an election year. McDowell did point out that "the 1996 directive was to deregulate once there was more competition in the marketplace."
The FCC evaluates a proposed cross-ownership combination on a case-by-case basis to determine whether it would be in the public interest ? specifically, whether it would promote competition, localism and diversity.
(4/18/2012 7:48:14 AM)
I worked in a market for 15-years, (Fargo-Moorhead) where the "local" newspaper also owned a TV station and an AM/FM combo, and the properties were grossly mismanaged, and thus the properties to this very day do not operate in the "public's interest."
There's no compelling reason to go down this misguided road again and again. How can anyone thinking rationally believe this will result in more minority and/or women voices in broadcasting. Nothing could be further from reality!
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