policy goals and legal obligations
The FCC is holding a public hearing in Austin tomorrow night to gather public input about media ownership policy. The FCC is reviewing its limits on how many media outlets a given corporation can own in a particular market city. Both of my readers will remember that the 1996 Communications Act loosened radio ownership rules and allowed organizations like Clear Channel and Infinity Broadcasting (now CBS) to dominate the airwaves. Further relaxation has only accelerated the ability of major corporations to shift away from serving local interests toward homogenized national programming.
The commissioner attending the hearing, Jonathan Adelstein, is one of the more liberal commissioners in a body that often rubber-stamps the desires of the major telco and media players, so speakers concerned about localism and corporate control will have a sympathetic audience. I’m not sure I’ll make any comments in person, but I’ll certainly attend out of scholarly and personal interest. If you’re interested in testifying, there are tips here.
The hearing will take place in Jester Auditorium on the UT-Austin campus. (Jester is the big, honkin’ dorm at 21st and Speedway; just take the bus to 21st and Guadalupe, rather than worry about parking.) There will be an “educational” presentation at 5:30, followed by the hearing at 6:30. I imagine it will go on for hours.
