Senate votes to roll back FCC's media ownership decision
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Tags: FCC, Media Consolidation, Merger, Satellite Radio, Sirius, XM
The Senate last night voted to nullify the FCC's decision to loosen media ownership rules which allows media companies to own a newspaper and a
television station in the same market.Sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and 26 other senators - including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - the unusual "resolution of disapproval," was approved by a voice vote.
Dorgan said the FCC action opened a "gaping loophole for more mergers of newspapers and television stations across the country."
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said he was "disappointed with the Senate's action" and would recommend to the president that he veto the bill.
"The FCC's approach modernizes a 30-year-old rule in a way that improves the financial viability of the newspaper industry, which faces an increasingly competitive media market," he said.
Obama issued a statement supporting the vote.
If we're wondering what is currently occupying the focus of the FCC, we now have a big clue. I wouldn't dismiss this "resolution of disapproval," this action by the Senate could impact the FCC in general in a very big way."Today the Senate stood up to Washington special interests by voting to reverse the FCC's disappointing media consolidation rules that I have fought against," he said. "Our nation's media market must reflect the diverse voices of our population, and it is essential that the FCC promotes the public interest and diversity in ownership."
And considering how politicized the Sirius-XM merger has been, and how Senator Dorgan feels about it already, you have to wonder if similar action would be taken if approved (without "satisfactory" conditions). Then again, maybe Congress has just made its point and won't have to.
[AP via Orbitcast Forums]
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Comments
While this could impact the FCC and possibly the merger position it should not.
The merger and media consolidation are two completely different things. It would be different if XM and Sirius were merging then buying fox new and cnn. This is specifically to fight the consolidation of newspapers and tv into one entity to ensure that no one company can influence or put their own spin on the news and have them be the only source while doing so.
Could you imagine if every channels news came from Fox News?
Posted by: CA | May 16, 2008 4:11 PM
I believe this is more of a slap at the Rupert Murdochs of the world, and has little to do with the satrad merger.
If someone of a more liberal bent was buying up these properties, I doubt if these guardians of the public weal would be complaining- that is because they would be on that person's payroll.
In any case, I would be against media consolidation of this kind, as newspapers and television do occupy a more controlling factor in people's perceptions.
More than Squizz, anyway.
Posted by: Max | May 16, 2008 4:49 PM
It's one thing when companies have to compete in the marketplace, but when the government becomes a player in the game it is a very bad thing every time. Forget about having a better product or being the most fit of the companies, it becomes all about politics and who is getting money under the table. Microsoft was a great company before the government got involved. A whole new industry was created and it was right here in the USA. After sanctions Microsoft share prices dropped to $25-$30 and it's been there for the past five years. Dead money! The FCC is trying to do the same thing to satrad. Like the Microsoft deal, the public will not benefit from more constraints on satrad, but rather the competition (terrestrial radio) who benefits because they will not have to compete in the marketplace. The shareholders are the ones who get screwed big time.
Posted by: Paul in FL | May 16, 2008 5:02 PM
Maybe taking up their time... but this isn't a direct impact. No one is trying to cross media here. This isn't buying 12 newspapers. This is allowing a media to continue its viability -- a goal that the Senate AND FCC have in common. If either strikes down the merger, it would be hypocritical and do the exact opposite of what they want -- media dispersement.
Posted by: Mat | May 16, 2008 6:04 PM
sigh
Posted by: tom c. | May 16, 2008 7:13 PM
Did the NAB pay for that Rug Jim-Bo?
If so, ask for a refund. My Lab's ass hair looks more human.
Posted by: Plowboy1 | May 16, 2008 8:51 PM
Did the NAB pay for that Rug Jim-Bo?
If so, ask for a refund. My Lab's ass hair looks more human.
Posted by: Loius | May 16, 2008 8:52 PM
"Microsoft was a great company before the government got involved. A whole new industry was created and it was right here in the USA. After sanctions Microsoft share prices dropped to $25-$30 and it's been there for the past five years. Dead money!"
Microsoft is the very definition of a monopoly. They ruthlessly crushed any attempt by anyone else to create a competing OS, and effed over players like Lotus and anyone else with a word processing program, by squeezing them out of the OEM market. The lethargy of their product is the result.
Posted by: Max | May 16, 2008 8:57 PM
Actually, a combined XM and Sirius should be something that people who oppose media ownership consolidation should like.
They are mainly distributors. They have some of their own content like Stern, O and A, etc... but most of the stuff they have is stuff they just distribute, not create, such as CNN, Fox News, ESPN Radio, Sporting News, Air America etc...being able to remove those redundant channels with a combined service will allow that bandwidth to be used to have an even more diverse programming lineup.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | May 16, 2008 9:01 PM
Kevin Martin is such a stud.
Posted by: Stephanie | May 16, 2008 10:16 PM
I know this is off topic but I believe this is the third week in a row that we've been left with the picture of an ugly person on the frontpage over the weekend. Could we go for something else next week please?
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | May 16, 2008 11:13 PM
Toupee? or Comb over?
The more I look at it the more it looks more like a really bad comb over, not that there is any good comb overs....lol
I will open this up for debate :)
Posted by: Lennco | May 17, 2008 6:03 PM
Toupee? or Comb over?
The more I look at it the more it looks more like a really bad comb over, not that there is any good comb overs....lol
I will open this up for debate :)
Posted by: Len | May 17, 2008 6:03 PM
Toupee? or Comb over?
The more I look at it the more it looks more like a really bad comb over, not that there is any good comb overs....lol
I will open this up for debate :)
Posted by: Len | May 17, 2008 6:04 PM
Toupee? or Comb over?
The more I look at it the more it looks more like a really bad comb over, not that there is any good comb overs....lol
It looks lower on one side then the other.
I will open this up for debate :)
Posted by: Len | May 17, 2008 6:05 PM
It's better than looking at that clown Chester.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | May 17, 2008 9:31 PM
If the senate block the FCC vote I look for President Bush to VETO it and allow the merger!
Posted by: REPUBLICAN | May 17, 2008 10:51 PM
Merger will never pass now... :(
Posted by: Man | May 17, 2008 10:56 PM
This will be vetoed and have no effect on the merger.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | May 17, 2008 11:36 PM
Congress has already had hearings on XM and Sirius. The DOJ has already ruled it is not anti trust. Once the FCC and Mel can agree to some basic concessions it will go through and not be opposed.
Right now it's just a matter of getting the amount of channels given up closer to the 8 that Sirius and XM have already agreed to. Martin won't give up the first ever a la carte playing hardball. Sirius and XM will get their way for the most part.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | May 18, 2008 12:04 AM
"Toupee? or Comb over?"
Dead or still alive??
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | May 18, 2008 1:16 PM
Toupee? or Comb over?
Dead or still alive?? you choose... I can't tell.. is he breathing, is there motion?? put some roller skates on and let's have a jog...
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | May 18, 2008 1:20 PM
I love a man with a cheap toupee. Warm in the winter..... cool in the summer. Doubles as a beaver at the Sportsman's club.
Posted by: Plowboy | May 19, 2008 8:18 PM