    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [October 26, 1995]
    [Pages 1693-1694]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Senator Ernest F. Hollings on Telecommunications Reform
    Legislation
    October 26, 1995

    Dear Fritz:
        I enjoyed our telephone conversation today regarding the upcoming
    conference on the telecommunications reform bill and would like to
    follow-up on your request regarding the specific issues of concern to me
    in the proposed legislation.
        As I said in our discussion, I am committed to promoting competition
    in every aspect of the telecommunications and information industries. I
    believe that the legislation should protect and promote diversity of
    ownership and opinions in the mass media, should protect consumers from
    unjustified rate increases for cable and telephone services, and, in
    particular, should include a test specifically designed to ensure that
    the Bell companies entering into long distance markets will not impede
    competition.
        Earlier this year, my Administration provided comments on S. 652 and
    H.R. 1555 as passed. I remain concerned that neither bill provides a
    meaningful role for the Department of Justice in safeguarding
    competition before local telephone companies enter new markets. I
    continue to be concerned that the bills allow too much concentration
    within the mass media and in individual markets, which could reduce the
    diversity of news and information available to the public. I also
    believe that the provisions allowing mergers of cable and telephone
    companies are overly broad. In addition, I oppose deregulating cable
    programming services and equipment rates before cable operators face
    real competition. I remain committed, as well, to the other concerns
    contained in those earlier statements on the two bills.
        I applaud the Senate and the House for including provisions
    requiring all new televisions to contain technology that will allow
    parents to block out programs with violent or objectionable content. I
    strongly support retention in the final bill of the Snowe-Rockefeller
    provision that will ensure that schools, libraries and hospitals have
    access to advanced telecommunications services.

    [[Page 1694]]

        I look forward to working with you and your colleagues during the
    conference to produce legislation that effectively addresses these
    concerns.
        Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: Senator Ernest F. Hollings was the ranking member of the
    Communications Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, and
    Transportation Committee. This letter was released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary on October 30.