[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E944-E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        BROADCAST OWNERSHIP BILL

                                 ______


                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 1995
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to introduce a bipartisan 
bill to reduce the restrictions on ownership of broadcasting stations 
and other media of mass communication. Congressman Ralph Hall from 
Texas, along with a number of my esteemed Republican colleagues support 
this bill which repeals antiquated rules and regulations and brings 
broadcasting up to date with technology. The bill states that the FCC 
is not to prescribe or enforce any regulations concerning cross 
ownership. The only rules that the FCC can make address national caps 
and local ownership combinations. The video marketplace has undergone 
significant changes. Today, most Americans have access not only to many 

[[Page E945]] over-the-air broadcast channels, but also subscribe to 
cable, or own a home satellite receiver. With telephone company entry 
into the video marketplace, American consumers will have additional 
options from which to choose their programming. Despite all these 
advances in technology broadcasting should remain a vital component in 
the information age. Broadcast television occupies a unique position in 
the world of telecommunications. Broadcasting is not only the only 
technology available to 100 percent of American households, the content 
it provides is free. The only cost is for a receiver.
  The bill does the following: First, states that the FCC shall not 
prescribe or enforce rules limiting crossownership of mediums of mass 
communications; second, increases the aggregate national audience reach 
from 25 to 35 percent upon enactment. One year later allows the cap to 
increase to 50 percent. The bill contains a built-in safeguard; within 
2 years of enactment of the bill, the FCC is to commission a study to 
ensure competition in the marketplace; third, the bill allows certain 
station ownership combinations in a market: UHF/UHF; UHF/VHF and if the 
Commission determines that it will not harm competition and will not 
harm the preservation of a diversity of voices in the local market, 
VHF/VHF combinations; fourth, the bill also repeals all radio ownership 
restrictions.
  I might add that this bill will be presented as an amendment to the 
communications act of 1995, which has the full support of Chairman 
Bliley and Chairman Fields and as previously mentioned, it is 
bipartisan.


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