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FCC votes in favor of relaxed media ownership regulation
A US regulator has voted to deregulate the country's restrictive media-ownership rules, despite fierce opposition to what many see as the increasing power of a few large corporations.
The following was posted on IndyHwaii and Chicago Indymedia. Could San Francisco feel the same effects soon?
The following was posted on IndyHwaii and Chicago Indymedia. Could San Francisco feel the same effects soon?
_________________________________
Local Spin by Gerald Farinas
Monday, June 2, 2003, the FCC voted along party lines in favor of media deregulation making it possible for one corporation to own all media sources in a single locality. And Hawaii is not isolated from the new law's effects.
Emmis is no longer obligated to sell one of its stations in Honolulu, KHON and KGMB. In fact, it now has the go ahead to buy out Hearst Argyle who owns KITV and Raycom Media who owns KHNL, if it so wants to. Of course, that's not if Hearst Argyle decides it wants to buy the others out first.
Clearchannel owns seven radio stations in Honolulu alone, including popular stations KSSK AM and FM, Island Rhythm 98.5, I-94, Star 101.9 FM, among others. Clearchannel has already showed interest in purchasing more stations in Honolulu.
FCC rules against television and radio owners from concurrently owning local newspapers in the same market has been wiped off the slate. The question is, if Gannett and Black want to get out of Hawaii newspaper markets, would Emmis, Raycom or Hearst Argyle jump right in? While it may look as if this situation would be a longshot, the opportunity now exists.
Diversity in Hawaii media is dead.
_________________________________
International Spin by BBC World Edition
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates radio, television, satellite and cable, voted by three votes to two in favour of replacing existing industry rules
These rules restrict the number and type of media outlets that any one company can own, with the aim of ensuring that a diversity of opinion and information prevails.
Media companies have long complained about the regulations, which mean, for example, that one firm is not allowed to own both a TV station and a newspaper in the same city.
But campaigners, including some within the media industry itself, argue that the result will be damaging to democracy.
No free-for-all
The FCC's five commissioners were long believed likely to vote through the liberalisation.
Although the two Democrat party nominees have voiced their opposition to deregulation, the three Republican commissioners have long been in support.
The FCC's proposed rule change will not spark a free-for-all. Its key points include:
Across 100 cities, allowing one company to own broadcasting and print in the same market;
Allowing one company to own up to three TV stations in the largest markets;
Raising the TV audience share any one company can control from 35% to 45%.
Yesterday's news
The proponents of the rule change argue that existing regulations, which were finalised in 1975, are no longer appropriate for an increasingly global industry.
The number of outlets has increased sharply, especially radio, which has risen from 7,500 stations in 1975 to 12,000 today.
In 1975, the three largest TV networks had a combined 95% of the prime-time audience; now, the four largest have less than 50%.
Internationally, the business is increasingly dominated by large firms, such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, and AOL Time Warner, which owns CNN.
At the same time, the evolution of media technology, with online news and interactive TV joining traditional print and broadcasting, has made cross-media ownership more attractive.
Some media owners say they will be able to provide better local news if they can build up more integrated operations.
Turner talks back
But opponents argue that too much media power in the hands of any organisation would both damage democracy and undermine healthy competition.
Ted Turner, who founded CNN, wrote in the Washington Post that liberalisation would "stifle debate, inhibit new ideas and shut out smaller businesses trying to compete".
"If these rules had been in place in 1970, it would have been virtually impossible for me to start Turner Broadcasting or, 10 years later, to launch CNN."
The FCC has been deluged with complaints from the public and from pressure groups, but has refused to bow to calls for a postponement.
FCC chairman Michael Powell, the son of US Secretary of State Colin Powell, is determined to use his stint at the regulator to shake-up existing communications rules, many of which are many decades old.
_________________________________
Check out these sites!
http://loyolacampusgreens.tripod.com
http://www.xanga.com/stokedgfx
http://www.indyhawaii.org
http://www.luc.edu
Local Spin by Gerald Farinas
Monday, June 2, 2003, the FCC voted along party lines in favor of media deregulation making it possible for one corporation to own all media sources in a single locality. And Hawaii is not isolated from the new law's effects.
Emmis is no longer obligated to sell one of its stations in Honolulu, KHON and KGMB. In fact, it now has the go ahead to buy out Hearst Argyle who owns KITV and Raycom Media who owns KHNL, if it so wants to. Of course, that's not if Hearst Argyle decides it wants to buy the others out first.
Clearchannel owns seven radio stations in Honolulu alone, including popular stations KSSK AM and FM, Island Rhythm 98.5, I-94, Star 101.9 FM, among others. Clearchannel has already showed interest in purchasing more stations in Honolulu.
FCC rules against television and radio owners from concurrently owning local newspapers in the same market has been wiped off the slate. The question is, if Gannett and Black want to get out of Hawaii newspaper markets, would Emmis, Raycom or Hearst Argyle jump right in? While it may look as if this situation would be a longshot, the opportunity now exists.
Diversity in Hawaii media is dead.
_________________________________
International Spin by BBC World Edition
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates radio, television, satellite and cable, voted by three votes to two in favour of replacing existing industry rules
These rules restrict the number and type of media outlets that any one company can own, with the aim of ensuring that a diversity of opinion and information prevails.
Media companies have long complained about the regulations, which mean, for example, that one firm is not allowed to own both a TV station and a newspaper in the same city.
But campaigners, including some within the media industry itself, argue that the result will be damaging to democracy.
No free-for-all
The FCC's five commissioners were long believed likely to vote through the liberalisation.
Although the two Democrat party nominees have voiced their opposition to deregulation, the three Republican commissioners have long been in support.
The FCC's proposed rule change will not spark a free-for-all. Its key points include:
Across 100 cities, allowing one company to own broadcasting and print in the same market;
Allowing one company to own up to three TV stations in the largest markets;
Raising the TV audience share any one company can control from 35% to 45%.
Yesterday's news
The proponents of the rule change argue that existing regulations, which were finalised in 1975, are no longer appropriate for an increasingly global industry.
The number of outlets has increased sharply, especially radio, which has risen from 7,500 stations in 1975 to 12,000 today.
In 1975, the three largest TV networks had a combined 95% of the prime-time audience; now, the four largest have less than 50%.
Internationally, the business is increasingly dominated by large firms, such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, and AOL Time Warner, which owns CNN.
At the same time, the evolution of media technology, with online news and interactive TV joining traditional print and broadcasting, has made cross-media ownership more attractive.
Some media owners say they will be able to provide better local news if they can build up more integrated operations.
Turner talks back
But opponents argue that too much media power in the hands of any organisation would both damage democracy and undermine healthy competition.
Ted Turner, who founded CNN, wrote in the Washington Post that liberalisation would "stifle debate, inhibit new ideas and shut out smaller businesses trying to compete".
"If these rules had been in place in 1970, it would have been virtually impossible for me to start Turner Broadcasting or, 10 years later, to launch CNN."
The FCC has been deluged with complaints from the public and from pressure groups, but has refused to bow to calls for a postponement.
FCC chairman Michael Powell, the son of US Secretary of State Colin Powell, is determined to use his stint at the regulator to shake-up existing communications rules, many of which are many decades old.
_________________________________
Check out these sites!
http://loyolacampusgreens.tripod.com
http://www.xanga.com/stokedgfx
http://www.indyhawaii.org
http://www.luc.edu
For more information:
http://geraldfarinas.tripod.com
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