FCC

May 15, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate passed a measure introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan to reverse the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) ruling to expand media consolidation. Senator Obama is a co-sponsor of this legislation.

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. 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.    » read more »

5/8/2008 -- NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow: “NCTA has previously indicated our support for the concept of a test market, and the cable industry has been working closely with broadcasters and other stakeholders to ensure that the February 2009 transition is seamless for television viewers. We applaud Commissioner Copps for proposing the concept of a market trial, and we look forward to working closely with the FCC so that local cable operators are able to help make the Wilmington test pilot – and the full February 2009 broadcast transition – a good experience for consumers.”    » read more »

4/8/2008 -- Statement of NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow:

“Chairman Martin’s proposal is a positive step forward for small cable systems that do not have the capacity to carry broadcast signals in both digital and analog formats. We would like to thank all the Commissioners and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress for their recognition that this exemption is critical for small cable systems. We look forward to working with members of the Commission toward swift adoption of an order that advances the DTV transition and provides appropriate relief and needed certainty to all owners of small cable systems.”    » read more »

3/26/2008 -- Comment from Brian Dietz, Vice President, Communications, NCTA, in response to Verizon's request that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) "make it as easy for consumers to choose a new video provider as it already is for them to switch voice providers."    » read more »

March 17, 2008, Washington, D.C. — In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to review the Second Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Fox v. FCC, Commissioner Michael J. Copps issued the following statement:    » read more »

March 17, 2008 -- FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate:

"I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has granted the petition for certiorari filed by the Solicitor General. Protecting children from inappropriate programming continues to be one of my top priorities. I hope that the Supreme Court’s decision will give broadcasters clarity regarding the use of profanity, even fleeting profanity, on the public airwaves, at times when children are most likely to be in the audience."

Source: FCC

February 25, 2008, Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today approved the transfer of control of DIRECTV to Liberty Media subject to conditions. The Commission concluded that, as conditioned, the public interest benefits of the transfer outweighed the potential harms and would be consistent with applicable Commission rules and policies.    » read more »

2/15/2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. – FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s continued use of incomplete data about cable prices paints a picture that is both deceptive and false because it omits critical information about the competitive marketplace, ignores the dramatic enhancements to video service over the last ten years and relies on outdated, flawed and much criticized methodology, National Cable & Telecommunications Association President & CEO (NCTA) Kyle McSlarrow said in a letter sent today to members of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.    » read more »

“Managing congestion and traffic in order to maximize satisfaction for all customers is hardly detrimental to the public interest.”

2/13/2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the marketplace for broadband Internet service expands and providers explore new mechanisms to enrich the Internet experience for consumers, new regulation that would restrict this experimentation will only slow innovation and harm consumers, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) said in comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today.    » read more »

26 January 2008 -- The U.S. agency that regulates broadcasters has fined ABC television network affiliated stations nearly $1.5 million for indecency.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says a 2003 broadcast of a police drama, NYPD Blue, that showed multiple close-up views of a woman's nude buttocks was indecent because it depicted a sexual organ on a broadcast before 10:00 p.m.

The network argued unsuccessfully that buttocks are not a sexual organ.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (Dec. 18, 2007) – Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow top newspapers to own a broadcast station in the same media market. Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, issued the following statement:    » read more »

Menendez, a strong advocate for diversity of voices in the media, is part of group vowing to seek legislation to overturn hasty ruling

December 19, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – Despite intense congressional pressure, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) yesterday ruled in a 3-2 partisan vote to allow consolidation of local media ownership in the nation’s largest cities. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has been a leader in requesting a postponement of the vote until the pressing issues of localism and diversity are fully discussed and addressed by the FCC.    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- Washington, DC – “I am deeply disappointed by the FCC's decision to overturn longstanding media cross-ownership rules, and to do so with a grossly flawed and widely criticized process.

The FCC is now actively promoting industry consolidation, but it is not addressing serious questions about consumer choice and localism. The Commission acted without giving the public sufficient time to comment.

And the Commission completely disregarded the concerns of a bipartisan group of more than 25 Senators who urged a more deliberative approach.    » read more »

12/18/2007 -- WASHINGTON, December 18 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on today’s vote by the Federal Communications Commission to overturn a 32-year-old media cross-ownership ban and allow broadcasters in the nation's 20 largest media markets to also own a newspaper:    » read more »

12/18/2007 -- WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) condemned Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin’s decision today to rush through a vote on media consolidation. The vote to relax the rules regarding cross media ownership of newspapers and radio stations passed by a 3-2 party line vote today. The FCC vote will allow media companies to further consolidate. Martin’s decision to the hold the vote ignores the expressed will of the Senate Commerce Committee. Sens.    » read more »