Director's Alert: FCC Agrees to New Media Ownership Reform

The Federal Communications Commission has overturned a 32 year old ban this afternoon, allowing broadcasters to also own a newspaper in the 20 largest television markets.

The vote was 3-2 with Republicans Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert McDowell siding with Martin. Democratic members Jonathan Adelstein and Michael J. Copps voted against the new rules.

Under Chairman Martin's proposal, one entity would be permitted to own a newspaper and one broadcast station in the same market. But it must be among the 20 largest in the nation and following the transaction, at least eight independently owned-and-operated media voices must remain. In addition, the television station may not be among the top four in the market.

The agency first tried to loosen the ban in 2003, but the move was rejected by a federal appeals court. Since then, the commissioners have been trying to craft a new set of rules that will survive judicial scrutiny.

Martin pushed the vote through despite intense pressure from House and Senate members on Capitol Hill to delay it. The chairman, however, has the support of the White House, which has pledged to turn back any congressional action that seeks to undo the agency vote.

The second major decision, discussed over the objections of broadcasters, allows the FCC to take the first big step toward imposing local programming and ascertainment requirements on TV and radio stations.

The commissioners voted to launch a rulemaking aimed at requiring TV stations to set up a permanent community board to advise them on programming as a move towards forcing stations to air more local content.

Broadcasters and other interested parties will have a chance to formally comment on the proposals before the FCC considers adopting them.

Third, the FCC is considering capping ownership of cable systems and common ownership of cable systems and cable programming networks.

Finally, the FCC's decided to affirm the TV duopoly rule, which bars a single company from owning more than one station in small markets (eight or fewer TV owners). This has greatly upset owners in these smaller markets.

So, what's your feelings about the new rules and decisions? Will it hurt the industry, help the industry as a whole, or just bring another round of media merging?

Let your voice be heard. Post your comments below.

Some information courtesy: The Associated Press & TV Newsday

Read more articles on the Director's Cut Blog