KARMA: Guess who can hold Senate hearings on Corporate Media in Jan?

[blm]

BIG DIFFERENCE between Ranking Member and Head of Committee.


Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"

Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval

Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.
Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."


.

[Cobalt Violet]

1. K & R.

:kick: ha ha!

[beachmom]

2. Oh, that's beautiful. Come on people -- get to work so we can

win the Senate!!!

[tridim]

4. If the punditry is any indication, we're taking the Senate too

It's gone from, "I don't think they'll take the Senate" to "It's too close to call" in one day. At least on MSRNC.

[blm]

5. and thus my epiphany about January.....

.

[Ignacio Upton]

9. We'll see after the Saddam verdict is read

n/t.

[blm]

10. Except 58% of voters now think we should've left Saddam alone.

Or left it to diplomay.

[wisteria]

3. OMG ,sweet justice. !! n/t

[blm]

6. Yep - that's the way I see it.

.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. knr!

:evilgrin:

[Democrafty]

8. Crossing my fingers we'll take the Senate next week. n/t

[blm]

11. I'm crossing everything I own. ;)

.