CCIA Praises Vote Against Media Consolidation

File Under: News, Telecommunications

May 16, 2008

Washington, DC –  The Senate passed a joint resolution Thursday night that would nullify FCC action in December to loosen the rules on how many newspapers or broadcast stations one entity can own.

The Computer  & Communications Industry Association, which supports open markets, today praised Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine and Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii for their initiative to pass S. J. Res. 28, which would preserve more diversity in the media.

“Our nation’s economic history has shown more competition is better for consumers and for innovation,” said CCIA President & CEO Ed Black. “Competition is perhaps even more critical in the media industry where consolidation leads to fewer perspectives and less checks against private sector wrongdoing and government abuses of power.  Policy makers must factor in the unique role the media plays in our democracy when contemplating policies for transactions within the media industry.  This is one area where business is not business as usual. ”
 
The House would still need to take action on the companion legislation introduced by Reps. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., and Dave Reichert, R-Wash., in March and President Bush would have to sign it before the FCC action to allow more media consolidation could be reversed.