The Federal Communications Commission has been asked by a trade group to eliminate the rule that bars companies from owning a TV station and a daily newspaper in the same market, Bloomberg reports.
The Newspaper Association of America filed the request Monday with the FCC. The Arlington, Va.-based group, which represents about 2,000 newspapers, called the 1975 rule a “relic” and said it is an obstacle to investment by broadcasters, the story reports.
The FCC has proposed easing the rule, which was designed to help diversify media ownership. But that proposal has opposition.
The report notes: “Consumer groups said the FCC’s proposal would concentrate too much power in the hands of large companies and limit the number of voices in a community.”
When are we going to learn?!
The reason, the ONLY reason, we have such a “my way or the highway” non-compromising legislatures at the state and national level ALL began with changing the consolidation rules of media. That began in the 1980’s.
The same “relic” excuse was used then.
First, the Fairness Doctrine was trashed allowing the Rush Limbaughs of the world to only give their side of a public affairs issue and out right lie about the opposition without any one to oppose the nonsense. People will believe a lie if it is repeated often enough.
Then, America went from over 1000 AMERICAN owners of radio and TV stations that were restricted to being American Communication companies, to 5 companies now controlling most outlets.
Leading the fight was an immigrant that paid his way through the Bush 41 administration for citizenship status. His name was Rupert Murdoch. An excellent example of the tabloid crap we now have to endure on all stations thanks to him leading the race to the bottom. Several 24 hr news cahnnels and they still spend most of their time on Lindsay Lohen and helicopter car chases just because the ratings are higher than if they were talking about important topics.
It also concentrates one viewpoint with no counter in an entire city. I don’t care which side of the argument it is, this is dangerous to American discourse and leads to crap like the birthers.
Please, if you read this, contact the FCC and scream: NO MORE MEDIA CONSOLIDATION!
Apparantly this rule does not apply to everyone. In Columbus, Ohio the Wolfe family owns the Columbus Dispatch newspaper and WBNS-TV and WBNS radio and a slew of other suburban weekly newspapers, alternative papers and the Columbus Monthly magazine. Their TV news is generally first place among viewers. Their multi-ownership has been in place for years. Why are they allowed to do this? Do they have an exception?
I’m not sure about Columbus, OH. but there was an exception made in NYC where Murdoch owns The Post, The Wall St Journal and TV stations.
If you got the cash, you are an exception. Or at least you are treated that way. This is what American Exceptionalism has morphed into. From all of us working to a goal to he who has the most wins. Truly sad.