FCC reopens debate on ownership regs
Agency will hold first public hearing in L.A.
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The agency recently opened proceedings to review current rules, as periodically required by Congress. But part of the process involves a requirement to redraw previous, controversial plans to loosen ownership rules, which a federal court blocked in 2004.
The FCC's two Democratic commissioners, Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, objected to the previous plans -- which the agency passed on a strict party-line vote in 2003 -- arguing that they had been drawn without sufficient public comment and input.
The Los Angeles hearing, announced Friday, is intended to be the first of a series of public hearings promised by chairman Kevin J. Martin.
"Public input is integral to this process," Martin said in a statement. "The commission will hold public hearings in diverse locations around the country to fully involve the American people in its review of our media ownership rules.
"I look forward to hearing from the American people on a variety of subjects at these hearings, such as the impact of the commission's rules on localism, minority ownership and various types of programming like independent and religious programming and children's and family-friendly programming," Martin added.
"I'm thrilled that the FCC has decided to hold a public hearing on media ownership in Los Angeles," Adelstein said in a statement. "This hearing is an excellent opportunity for the creative community to share their well-informed perspective on media consolidation."
