[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 212 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 212

 To express the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal 
 Communications Commission should not revise its media ownership rules 
        without more extensive review and comment by the public.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 1, 2003

Mr. Hinchey (for himself and Mr. Brown of Ohio) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 To express the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal 
 Communications Commission should not revise its media ownership rules 
        without more extensive review and comment by the public.

Whereas Federal Communications Commission (hereinafter in this resolution 
        referred to as ``the FCC'') Chairman Michael Powell has announced that 
        on June 2, 2003, the FCC will vote to revise current media ownership 
        regulations as part of its Biennial Regulatory Review;
Whereas the changes to media ownership rules under consideration will affect 
        Newspaper-Broadcast Concentration, National TV Concentration, TV Duopoly 
        Protection, Multiple-Network Concentration, Radio-TV Concentration, and 
        Local Radio Concentration;
Whereas the FCC has held one official hearing on this matter in Richmond, 
        Virginia, on February 27, 2003;
Whereas FCC Chairman Powell has announced that the Commission will vote on a 
        final rule revising media ownership regulations without first allowing 
        for a public review and comment period on any proposed changes, in 
        apparent violation of the Administration Procedure Act;
Whereas changes to these rules will impact every person's access to diverse 
        sources information; and
Whereas access to diverse sources of information is necessary to maintain the 
        informed citizenry needed for a functioning democracy: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the FCC should not weaken any current media ownership 
        rules that protect people's access to diverse sources of 
        information;
            (2) the FCC should examine, and better inform the general 
        public regarding, the consequences of weakening current media 
        ownership rules, in particular the increased level of media 
        consolidation and concentration that will likely occur; and
            (3) the FCC should allow for extensive public review and 
        comment on any proposed changes to current media ownership 
        rules before issuing a final rule.
                                 <all>