[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 218 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 218
To express the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal
Communications Commission should not revise its media ownership rules
without more extensive review and comment by the public.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 6, 2003
Mr. Hinchey (for himself and Mr. Brown of Ohio) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
To express the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal
Communications Commission should not revise its media ownership rules
without more extensive review and comment by the public.
Whereas Federal Communications Commission (hereinafter in this resolution
referred to as ``the FCC'') Chairman Michael Powell has announced that
on June 2, 2003, the FCC will vote to revise current media ownership
regulations as part of its Biennial Regulatory Review;
Whereas the changes to media ownership rules under consideration will affect
Newspaper-Broadcast Concentration, National TV Concentration, TV Duopoly
Protection, Multiple-Network Concentration, Radio-TV Concentration, and
Local Radio Concentration;
Whereas the FCC has held one official hearing on this matter in Richmond,
Virginia, on February 27, 2003;
Whereas FCC Chairman Powell has announced that the Commission will vote on a
final rule revising media ownership regulations without first allowing
for a public review and comment period on any proposed changes;
Whereas changes to these rules will impact every person's access to diverse
sources information; and
Whereas access to diverse sources of information is necessary to maintain the
informed citizenry needed for a functioning democracy: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives
that--
(1) the FCC should not weaken any current media ownership
rules that protect people's access to diverse sources of
information;
(2) the FCC should examine, and better inform the general
public regarding, the consequences of weakening current media
ownership rules, in particular the increased level of media
consolidation and concentration that will likely occur; and
(3) the FCC should allow for extensive public review and
comment on any proposed changes to current media ownership
rules before issuing a final rule.
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