E-Mail This Article to a Friend WEB EXCLUSIVE Fighting the FCC BY MIKE MILIARD

JULY 23, 2003 — An attempt in the US House of Representatives to rescind part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to ease media-ownership regulations was in limbo as of this morning.

On June 2, the FCC voted to adopt a sweeping overhaul of rules on media consolidation, one that would, as Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass) told the Associated Press, allow "Citizen Kane [to] look like an underachiever." (See "Don’t Quote Me," News and Features, June 6.)

One aspect of that rules-change would allow corporations to own television stations serving up to 45 percent of nationwide viewers rather than the previously allowed 35 percent. Bill HR-2799, introduced by Republican US Representative Frank Wolf of Virginia, would restore the 35 percent cap. Media giants like UPN and News Corp., who already exceed it, would be forced to divest.

The House debated HR-2799 yesterday, but adjourned last night, classifying the bill as "unfinished business." As of press time it was slated to head back to the House floor. (Yesterday evening the House did vote 254-174 to reject an amendment to the bill, proposed by Democratic US Representative Maurice Hinchey of New York, to void the FCC’s allowance of ownership of a newspaper and radio or television station in the same market.)

Many members of House’s Republican majority support the new bill (including, besides its sponsor, members of the Christian Coalition). But President Bush has vowed to veto the measure if it reaches his desk (it would be the first veto of his presidency). And despite the bill’s majority support, it’s thought that GOP House leadership would not risk allowing the Republican-controlled House to pass a bill the President would quash, choosing instead to work towards its defeat in conference negotiations between the House and the Senate in August.

The push toward rolling back the FCC’s ruling is seen by many as proof-positive of the power of popular grassroots organizations like MoveOn.org. Although Eli Pariser, MoveOn’s campaigns director, writes in a press release that the television cap is "the rule with the least impact on media diversity," he credits a groundswell of public opposition to media consolidation — and a concerted effort by MoveOn.org to channel that energy toward Congress — with goading the House of Representatives to fight the FCC’s move toward facilitating media monoplies.

Visit MoveOn.org for more information, and let your elected representatives know you oppose big-media consolidation: William Delahunt can be reached at (202) 225-3111; Michael Capuano, (202) 225-5111; Edward Markey, (202) 225-2836; Barney Frank, (202) 225-593; and Senators Edward Kennedy, (202) 224-4543, and John Kerry (202) 224-2742.