-Caveat Lector-
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From: "FAIR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "FAIR-L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Fwd: Broadcast Networks File FCC Comments, But Not Stories
Date: 1/29/2003 5:00:17 PM
FAIR-L
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting
Media analysis, critiques and activism
ACTION ALERT:
Broadcast Networks File FCC Comments-- But Not Stories
January 29, 2003
The review of media ownership rules underway at the Federal
Communications
Commission will have an enormous impact on the future of broadcasting
and
on media diversity. The FCC is considering repealing or altering a number
of key rules that limit media consolidation. But you wouldn't know any of
this from watching network television news.
Media companies stand to gain a lot from a relaxation of the ownership
caps. So it is no surprise that NBC/General Electric, ABC/Disney and
CBS/Viacom have all filed comments with the FCC.
It's what they haven't done that is more troubling: None of the big three
networks have found the story worth reporting in depth. Since the FCC
issued its notice on the ownership rules last September, a search of the
Nexis news database turns up one network story: a short summary of the
FCC's announcement on ABC's World News This Morning (9/9/02), which
according to the transcript aired at 4:30 AM.
So, people who rely on network TV for their news are almost certainly
unaware that the FCC is poised to roll back regulations that currently
prevent networks from buying many of their independently owned
affiliates.
Or that the agency may soon allow one major network to buy another.
Or
that rules that have kept the newspaper business separate from the TV
industry may soon be a thing of the past.
There have been plenty of opportunities to report on these sweeping
proposals. For example, FCC Chair Michael Powell's appearance before the
Senate Commerce Committee on January 14 provided a perfect news peg.
The
Wall Street Journal's January 3 report, "FCC Flooded With Letters Opposing
Media Consolidation," described the massive public input on this matter.
A hearing in New York this month, attended by all five FCC commissioners,
also attracted media attention-- but nothing on the networks.
ACTION: Encourage the nightly network news programs to report on the
proposed rule changes at the FCC. You might point out that as the prime
beneficiaries of any relaxations of broadcast ownership limits, the
networks have a duty to explore the full debate on the issue.
CONTACT:
ABC World News Tonight
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
NBC Nightly News
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
CBS Evening News
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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