House Democrats will try to force vote on media ownership

[Khephra]

House Democrats say they will try to force a vote on a resolution repealing new media ownership rules, defying the Republican leadership which pledged to kill the measure.

The fight over the resolution moved to the House after the Senate approved the legislation with a 55-40 vote Tuesday. The resolution seeks to undo changes to Federal Communications Commission regulations governing ownership of newspapers and television and radio stations.

Critics say those changes could lead to a wave of media mergers and ultimately stifle diversity and local viewpoints in news and entertainment. A federal appeals court already has temporarily placed the rules on hold.

After the Senate vote, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, summed up the resolution's prospects in the House: "It's going nowhere -- dead on arrival."

more..........

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/09/17/national0314EDT0456.DTL

[KharmaTrain]

1. For The Record

There are many who'd like the House to go on record on where they stand on this issue. With such diverse groups as the NRA and Urban League interested in overturning these corupt rule changes, it'd be interesting which of our beloved Congressmen are with us or with Clear Channel.

Of course, Mr. DeConLay (a subsidiary of Hicks, Tate, BushCo.) wouldn't dare let this bill anywhere near the house floor...thus the court ruling looks like it holds. Also this gives WhistleAss cover...since he promised to veto any action against further media conglomeration of the public airwaves.

[Ohio Dem]

2. Now why would the Republicans be against diversity of ownership?

Oh, that's right. It's that diversity word. My bad.

[mac56]

3. Quid pro quo?

Murdoch, CNN, NBC (GE), ABC (Disney), CBS (Viacom) maybe were offered the new media deregulation rules as a payback for fawning and kissing up over Dubya and aiding the war buildup?

Maybe the recent glimmers of Dubya criticism in the media are indications to Bushco of what might happen if the new rules aren't pushed through?

Or maybe I just have my tinfoil hat on. :tinfoilhat:

[goobergunch]

4. Another discharge petition!

First Shays-Meehan, now this...it seems that the House Dems are finally using the rules to their benefit.