Congress bargainers block new FCC rules

[True_Blue]

WASHINGTON (AP) — House-Senate bargainers shrugged off a White House veto threat Wednesday and agreed to block a Bush administration plan to let any company own television stations watched by nearly half the nation's viewers.
Lawmakers fashioning a huge end-of-session spending bill also decided to provide $13 million that poor students in Washington, D.C., could use to pay for private schooling. The money represents a victory for President Bush, creating the first federally financed school voucher program after years of trying by Republicans.

Without a specific vote on the subject — and virtually no discussion — negotiators included a provision barring the Federal Communications Commission from letting companies own stations watched by 45% of viewers. That means the current limit of 35% would remain in effect.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, a supporter of retaining the current, narrower ownership limits, told reporters he expected "a verbal spanking" from the White House, but not a veto.

more...
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-11-19-congress-fcc_x.htm

[La_Serpiente]

1. WOOHOOOOOO

Hip Hip Hoooray!!!!

[NashVegas]

2. But The More Important Issue Slides Through The Net

The FCC also voted in June to make it easier for companies to own newspapers and broadcast stations in the same community. That ruling would not be affected by the emerging legislation.

This will be horrible for newspapers, who publish a much wider variety of voices in their pages than TV will ever allow.

[DUreader]

3. Yep. We are screwed again and they get to look like they are...

standing up to W* and responding to their constituents

Fuckers