Is The FCC Planning A Change In Media Ownership Limits???

Thursday, November, 12, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

There have been several changes in media ownership rules since the FCC was given expanded authority to regulate public airwaves as part of the Communications Act of 1934. The controversy over how many combined radio-TV-newspaper properties should be allowed per market continues to this day. Forbes reports that in a recent FCC workshop on media ownership, Susan Patrick (Patrick Communications) said she’s seeking a “Likely change that would lift rules restricting common ownership of a daily newspaper and a TV or radio station. Newspapers are breathing their last breath” says Patrick, co-owner of 15 radio stations in Wyoming. On December 18, 2007 the FCC voted to eliminate some media ownership rules, including a statute that forbids a single company to own both a newspaper and a television or radio station in the same city. David Barrett, president of Hearst Television suggests a twist on station ownership rules. Barrett says “Why not allow common ownership of multiple TV (or radio) stations in a market on the condition that, collectively have no more than 30% of the audience?”…

The problem with media ownership is this — Disney, the new Viacom, Time Warner, News Corporations and General Electric combined own more than 90% of the media holdings in the United Stations. Disney alone, owns ABC, Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group, ESPN and Miramax Films. Those looking for media equity are never going to find it unless the FCC can figure out how to divest some of those media group holdings. Good luck in that task, FCC…

Susan Patrick had this final thought at the workshop, given the sad state of the ad marketplace, “If any FCC is going to make rule changes it’ll be this one” (lifting media ownership limits)… 

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1920] Here come de judge: Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis is elected baseball’s first commissioner which brings a smile to Shorty Long’s face wherever he is…
2. 1931] A ‘Nessie’ sighting: The first known photo of the ‘Loch Ness Monster’ is taken. Here’s Nessie through the years…
3. 1940] Premiered on this date: “Fantasia“, not the singer, the Walt Disney masterpiece…
4. 1948] Guilty as charged: Former Japanese premier Hideki Tojo and several other WWII Japanese leaders are sentenced to death by a war crimes tribunal…1996] Jonathan Schmitz, 26, is convicted of second-degree murder for shooting Scott Amedure, a gay man who’d revealed a crush on Schmitz on a “Jenny Jones” TV show. Schmitz is serving a 20-25 year prison term. Nancy Grace discusses the trial…1997] Ramzi Yousef is found guilty of masterminding the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Yousef is serving a sentence of life without parole. This clip is from a TV movie about the bombing…2004] Scott Peterson is sentenced to death for murdering his pregnant wife, Laci, and dumping her body in San Francisco Bay. Peterson remains on death row…
5. 1954] Closed for renovations: Ellis Island closes after processing more than 20 million immigrants since opening in New York Harbor in 1892…
6. 1987] AIDS ban banned: The AMA issues a policy statement saying it was unethical for a doctor to refuse to treat someone solely because that person has AIDS or is HIV-positive…
7. 1993] “Happy Trails“: H.R. Haldeman, a former Nixon White House chief of staff, dies of undisclosed causes at 67…
8. 1998] Wedding Bells: Daimler-Benz, Chrysler and baby Daimler-Chrysler unite…
9. 2001] Belle Harbor hell: American Airlines flight 587 crashes in Belle Harbor, Queens shortly after taking off in perfect weather, from JFK, taking more than 260 lives…
10. 2006] Breaking a record: Gerald R. Ford surpasses Ronald Reagan as the longest-lived U.S. president at 93 years and 121 days. Ford will pass away the following month…









Music Memories:

• 1958] Number One on this date: “Tom Dooley” - Kingston Trio…1985] “We Built This City” - Jefferson Starship’s homage to the city by the bay…
• 1966] Released on this date: “Mellow Yellow” - Donovan…1984] “Like a Virgin” LP - Madonna…
• 1970] Last call: The Doors make their last appearance with Jim Morrison in New Orleans. This clip is from an Ed Sullivan Show in 1967…



Commentary:

“Forever Young: Folk Music History Month” is being celebrated all month in Harvard Square. Festivities include photo displays, brunch and dinner hour performances by various acts. On Friday (11-13) the Maria Muldaur Jug Band and John Sebastian will perform at the Club Passim. For more information about the New England Folk Music Archives, email: www.newenglandfolkmusic.org for more information about Harvard Square Events, email: www.harvardsquare.com … 









“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Anne Hathaway (27), Tonya Harding (39), Sammy Sosa (41), Nadia Comaneci (48), Neil Young (64), Al Michaels (65), Booker T. Jones (65), Brian Hyland (66), Ruby Nash Curtis (70) and Bob Crewe (78)…









Timeline Countdown: 14 days until Thanksgiving, 29 days until Hanukah, 40 days until winter and 43 days until Christmas…

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