[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1075]]
  THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S REVISION OF MEDIA OWNERSHIP 
                                 RULES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 218, a 
resolution that expresses the sense of the House of Representatives 
that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should not revise its 
media ownership rules without more extensive review and without a 
public comment period. The FCC is scheduled to announce their decision 
on June 2, 2003.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important resolution because the 
proposed media ownership rules will undoubtedly be a drastic rewrite 
that would place huge limits on what Americans hear on the radio, watch 
on television or read in the newspaper. We should invite more review 
and public comment on the consequences of these changes before the rule 
is implemented.
  Among other things, these proposed rules would permit a television 
corporation to own a radio station and a newspaper in the same market. 
They would also increase the number of stations a television company 
can own from two to three. These rules will result in increased mergers 
activity and ultimately, in many markets, Americans will get all 
aspects of their news and information from one company.
  The legislated goals of the FCC include fostering competition, local 
control and an array of voices. But these proposed rules go against the 
FCC's own objectives by allowing a massive concentration of power and 
putting local stations out of business. These rules would create 
homogenized programming.
  The United States prides itself on diversity and freedom of the 
press. My constituents have expressed concern at the thought of one 
media outlet controlling all of the news and information they receive 
about their government, their fellow citizens and their culture.
  I am hopeful that by June 2, 2003, FCC Chairman Michael Powell will 
hear the voices of Americans and postpone implementation of his rule so 
that he can hold public discussions and conduct a more extensive 
review.

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