[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 44 (Monday, November 6, 1995)]
[Page 1955]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Senator Ernest F. Hollings on the Telecommunications Reform 
Bill

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