This is a great article by Eric Deggans a jounralist from Tampa, which is one of the 20 cities that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has singled out in his rule changes. While Martin's proposed new rule could lead to cross ownership of TV/radio and newspapers in cities all across the country and in every media market in America, these top twenty will be most immediately hit by the media buying frenzy that could follow this rule change.

As such, it is important we listen to those in the communities who are in the croasshairs of consolidation. This article (excerpt below) is a great reminder that this is not the first time the FCC has proposed rules that ignore the public interest and hurt local communities.

When It Comes to Selling Media Consolidation, FCC Chair Kevin Martin Hasn't Learned Much

by Eric Deggans

From the moment FCC chair Kevin Martin's plan to relax media ownership rules first leaked to the public, I've wondered what sort of substance the new chairman might be smoking.

After all, news about his proposed changes, including relaxing the rule barring companies from owning a major newspaper and TV stations in the same market, hit the public before the commission even had its last public meeting on ownership issues. That meeting was in Seattle on Friday, leaving little doubt that it had negligible impact on the rules proposal Martin released Tuesday.

Martin's predecessor, Michael "son-of-Colin" Powell, seemed to provide the perfect lesson on how not to sell media consolidation: comment periods and limited public meetings which have no impact; rules which seem to benefit big business vocally opposed by consumer groups and the Democratic commissioners; complex rules rushed through an approval process with no allies in Congress.

See the full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-deggans/when-it-comes-to-selling-_b_72606.html