mass media HW
Johnyy-10
208paperbackgroundfall2014.pptTopic: The FCC’s rule prohibiting one company owning a newspaper and a broadcast station (radio or television) in the same market – should it be retained, relaxed, or thrown out?
CMST 208, Fall 2014, Paper Assignment, Background
CMST 208, Fall 2014, Paper Assignment, Background
FCC proposed the rule in 1975 – why?
Maintain content diversity, local news
Create opportunities for women and minorities to own media outlets
In 1978, Supreme court (FCC vs. National Citizens Committee for Broadcasting) agreed with the FCC (important to prioritize 1st amendment rights of users).
CMST 208, Fall 2014, Paper Assignment, Background
Telecommunication Act of 1996 mandates that FCC ownership rule must be reviewed and evaluated periodically
1st quadrennial review (2002/3)
Republican-led FCC (Chair: Michael Powell) votes to relax the rule
Court overturns the FCC’s decision in FCC vs. Prometheus (2004)
CMST 208, Fall 2014, Paper Assignment, Background
2nd quadrennial review (2006/7)
Republican-led FCC (Chair: Kevin Martin) votes to relax the rule
Democrat-controlled Congress overwhelming supports a “resolution of disapproval” blocking the FCC’s action (2008)
Pres. Bush threatens to veto Congress –doesn’t materialize.
CMST 208, Fall 2014, Paper Assignment, Background
3rd quadrennial review began 2010 December 22, 2011, Democrat-controlled FCC (Chair: Julius Genachowski) released a proposed rule to relax the ban in top 20 markets.
Genachowski steps down in
May 2013 without his proposal
being voted on.
CMST 208, Fall 2014, Paper Assignment, Background
- The fourth quadrennial review begins 2014: Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the FCC.
Wheeler withdrew Genachowski’s
proposal to relax the rule in the
top 20 markets in December 2013.
Will he propose to retain, relax or
eliminate the rule? Has set a
deadline of June 2016 for final
recommendation.
