By JOHN DUNBAR, Associated Press Writer
5/16/2008
WASHINGTON - The Senate Thursday night voted to nullify a
Federal Communications Commission rule that allows media companies
to own a newspaper and a television station in the same market.
The unusual "resolution of disapproval," sponsored
by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and 26 other senators, was approved
by a voice vote. The measures sponsors include both Democratic
candidates for president, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New
York and Barack Obama of Illinois.
Republican FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has described the agency's
action as a "relatively minor loosening" of broadcast
media ownership restrictions. The rule was approved by the
FCC on a 3-2 party-line vote in December with both Democrats
dissenting.
The FCC decision allows one company to own a newspaper and
a broadcast station in the nation's 20 largest metropolitan
areas. The TV station may not be among the top four in the
market, and post-transaction, at least eight independent media
voices must remain. The rule replaced an outright ban on cross-ownership.
Dorgan said the FCC action opened a "gaping loophole
for more mergers of newspapers and television stations across
the country."
Martin has said any exception to the media ownership rule
would face a "very high hurdle."
The House is also considering a nullification of the ownership
rule, but even if supporters are successful, the measure would
likely be rejected by President Bush.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said he was "disappointed
with the Senate's action" and would recommend to the president
that he veto the bill.
"The FCC's approach modernizes a 30-year-old rule in
a way that improves the financial viability of the newspaper
industry, which faces an increasingly competitive media market," he
said.
The FCC's media ownership decision has been met with opposition
on both sides. The newspaper industry has complained that the
FCC did not go far enough, while activists who want to keep
big media companies from getting bigger said the agency went
too far.
Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, opposed
the FCC's action.
"In recent years, we have seen an increase in coarse
and violent programming, coupled with a decrease in local news
and hard-hitting journalism," Inouye said Thursday night. "To
say these trends are not in the best interest of the American
people, and especially our youngest citizens, is clearly an
understatement."
Obama issued a statement supporting the vote.
"Today the Senate stood up to Washington special interests
by voting to reverse the FCC's disappointing media consolidation
rules that I have fought against," he said. "Our
nation's media market must reflect the diverse voices of our
population, and it is essential that the FCC promotes the public
interest and diversity in ownership."
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