FCC Holding Public Hearing in L.A. on Media Ownership Oct. 3
Chair Kevin Martin Seeks Senate OK for Five More Years
By Juliana Bolden
Washington, D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission announced this week that it will hold a public hearing on media ownership in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Venue and further details are pending.
FCC chair Kevin Martin told the Associated Press that several hearings, such as the October meeting in Los Angeles, have been scheduled "in diverse locations around the country to fully involve the American people in its review of our media ownership rules."
AFTRA Opposes Further Media Consolidation
During the agency's town hall meeting at the University of Southern California last week, John Connolly, National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), spoke against efforts to lift restrictions on corporate cross-ownership of broadcast television stations and other media.
"By allowing the reduction of outlets for diverse opinions via the concentration of power in fewer and fewer corporate hands," Connolly said in a statement, "the Federal Communications Commission condemns Americans to a country where the public interest suffers, democracy suffers, and working people suffer."
"AFTRA members oppose the continued de-regulation of the media and entertainment industries—and the resulting continued concentration of ownership," he said, speaking on behalf of news talent, actors and others who are concerned largely with potential job losses.
FCC head Martin, meanwhile, who was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001, faced the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday for his re-nomination hearing. He fielded questions about his views on media ownership, among other issues such as decency regulation, localism and the emergency alert system.
No Internet Video Regulation—Not Right Now, That is
While Martin believes that "policymakers should try to make the internet a more decent place," he did say that it is not appropriate—not right now, at least—for the FCC to regulate the growing ranks of online video outlets such as YouTube, iFilm and Google Video.
The commission does not effectively have the authority to regulate web content. Regulating decency within the broadcast arena, where his entity holds clear jurisdiction, is thorny enough, he explained.
Martin also told the committee he does not believe in taxing the internet. Plus, he is concerned that subjecting web utility providers to charges such as Universal Service Fund payments for rural telecommunications may impede broadband proliferation.
Where internet network neutrality is concerned, Martin said he does not oppose search companies like Google charging higher fees to companies for higher-profile results placement. Moreover, he is not against telephone utility companies demanding higher prices for higher-bandwidth use, i.e. to accommodate expanding video services.
Boxer Questions Pro-Corporation Stance; NAB Gives Thumbs-Up
While Martin took some criticism on these positions—Barbara Boxer (D-California), for example, accused him of favoring corporate interests over American consumers on media consolidation and net neutrality—he proposed that such companies may not be able to afford to provide services without the room to raise prices.
The Republican chair received the endorsement of National Association of Broadcasters chief David Rehr via a letter delivered Monday to Senate Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska).
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Chairman Martin on a number of telecommunications matters of mutual interest," Rehr wrote. "Broadcasters applaud the great job and balanced approach that the chairman has taken on public-policy regulatory issues .”
Although the committee adjourned before voting on whether or not to approve Martin for another five-year term heading the five-member commission, he is expected to be confirmed.