Court blocks US media rules

[Judi Lynn]

Last Updated: Thursday, 4 September, 2003, 04:46 GMT 05:46 UK
Court blocks US media rules


Liberalising media rules has met stiff opposition
A US federal court has blocked controversial new media ownership rules a day before they were meant to come into force.

The rules, drawn up by the regulator, the Federal Communications Commission, have been widely criticised by both pressure groups and lawmakers for allegedly heightening the power of big media companies.

The rules would have allowed a single company to own TV stations that reach 45% of the national audience, up from 35%, as well as owning radio, TV and newspaper outlets within a single city.

"Given the magnitude of this matter, and the public's interest in reaching the proper resolution, a stay is warranted pending thorough and efficient judicial review," a three-judge panel said.

If the new structure were allowed to come into effect on Thursday, they ruled, the media access coalition requesting the stay - the Prometheus Radio Project - would be "irretrievably harmed". (snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3079576.stm

[Zhade]

1. Some breathing room, at least.

I work in broadcasting, and I'm here to tell you, these rules are horrifically bad for this country. Especially when you consider the impending takeover of a certain satellite broadcaster by a certain Australian media robber-baron, one who funds The Weekly Standard.

God, I hate that man.

If Congress succeeds in passing legislation to overturn at least some of the new FCC ruling, The Cowardly Traitor has stated he will veto the bill. With a 400-21 vote in the House, would the Congress be able to overturn the veto via the 2/3rd majority? Will Chimpy decide to go the Executive Order route as a preemptive strike at such a move on Congress' part?

Perhaps I'm biased, being a media worker (who deplores the industry, how's that for personal ironic hell), but this issue needs more attention! We'll never work our way back to a free press if a single company eventually owns all the media.

[Judi Lynn]

2. I think this is really important.

I'm kicking it back to page 1, since it was posted overnight.

[otohara]

3. Dupe - Locking -

Please continue discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=96195