FCC Told to Act or Hold Off Rules

Cable World,  April 7, 2003  

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Byline: ALICIA MUNDY

The Federal Communications Commission is being papered to death by members of Congress who want the agency to wrap up its media ownership rule-making immediately - or wait another year.

Two weeks ago, three senators sent FCC Chairman Michael Powell a letter asking him to hold off. Two were moderate Republicans from Maine, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, the third was Wayne Allard, a Colorado conservative. Then Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) called for the rule-making to proceed quickly. Next, John Sununu (R-N.H.) wrote to say it's time to finish up.

The latest letter came last week from Billy Tauzin (R-La.), chairman of the House Commerce Committee; it was co-signed by others, including Sen. John Breaux (D-La.). Tauzin asked Powell to adhere to the late spring deadline, saying a delay "would call into question the ability and willingness of the FCC to adhere to statutory deadlines clearly laid out" in the Telecom Act of 1996.

Missing from the mail call is Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Hill staffers say his letter will be arriving later this month.

Rule changes that would allow cross- ownership of TV stations, newspapers and other local media could create formidable competition for local ad sales dollars.

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