IN THE NEWS

Hoyer: Congress Must Now Scrutinize FCC's New Media Ownership Rules

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve regulations governing media ownership:

            "The changes to media ownership rules approved today by the FCC are one step forward for the media conglomerates who control an enormous share of our public airwaves, and one gigantic step backward for the American people and democracy, which depend on a wide range of divergent views to stay informed.

            "The public interest is not served when the American media is controlled by a handful of powerful individuals and corporations.  When commentators and interest groups from across the ideological spectrum - including the National Rifle Association, Consumers Union, the Newspaper Guild/Communications Workers of America, and many others - share the same view, it should be clear to America that the FCC is not acting in their best interest but rather in the interest of a few media conglomerates.

            "Now that the FCC has acted, Congress must step up and exercise its legislative and oversight responsibility to review these new media ownership rules and alter them in a manner that serves the public
interest.  The FCC's action today is not the beginning of the end; it is the end of the beginning of this important debate that goes to the very heart of the free flow of information that is the lifeblood of our democracy."

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