Michael Copps

Statement of Michael J. Copps on 2010 Quadrennial Review

Stevie Converse — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:31:01 -0500

Full article: FCC
In the vast majority of cases, I do not believe that newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership advances the public interest. It means fewer voices in the community, less localism in the industry, and steep transactional costs that all too often lead to down-sized or shuttered newsrooms and fired journalists. Our media, and our public policy, need to head in a different direction.

The FCC Loses Mr. Public Interest, Michael J. Copps

Stevie Converse — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:41:51 -0500

Full article: Seattle Times
The FCC begins the new year without Mr. Public Interest, Michael J. Copps, an outspoken critic of media consolidation. His strong, persistent voice will be missed on a panel evermore inclined to move newspapers, radio, television and broadband toward the smothering embrace of corporate conglomeration.

FCC Proposes New Media Ownership Rules

Stevie Converse — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:59:01 -0500

Full article: Washington Post
Hayley Tsukayama
The FCC announced that it will move ahead with a proposal to loosen the rules on media ownership. the agency voted to continue with a new proposal to lift a ban on allowing companies to own a major TV station and a major newspaper in the country’s top 20 markets. Outgoing Democratic FCC commissioner Michael Copps said that he was "deeply distressed" to discover that the measure was being considered again.

FCC Seeks to Ease Media Ownership Rule

Stevie Converse — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:09:57 -0500

Full article: New York Times
Brian Selter
The Federal Communications Commission is preparing to relax a longstanding rule that limits the ability of companies to own both a newspaper and a television or radio station in the same local market. Public interest groups and a departing member of the commission, Michael J. Copps, expressed concerns that the newspaper-broadcast rule change could cause more consolidation in the media industry.

FCC Proposes Changes to Cross-Ownership Rules

Stevie Converse — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:14:26 -0500

Full article: FMQB
The FCC has released a proposal for changes to the media cross-ownership rules, relaxing the rules for owning a TV station and newspaper in the top 20 markets. The FCC will accept comments on the proposal but no date has been announced yet on a vote to officially change the rules. Exiting Commssioner Michael Copps dissented in part to the proposal.

Doped-Up Sockpuppet Gophers: Washington Times Dials Up Net Neutrality Hysteria

Stevie Converse — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:58:15 -0400

Full article: Media Matters
Simon Maloy
Heartland Institute's Bruce Edward Walker wrote in the <em>Washington Times</em> that the FCC commissioners are "nothing more than sock puppets mouthing "the leftist ideology" of Free Press." This is absurd. What Walker fails to explain is why would Free Press attack the commission's Net Neutrality rules as a "squandered opportunity" that "heavily favors the industry they are intended to regulate and leave consumers with minimal protections."

Media Minutes: June 17, 2011

Stevie Converse — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:10:32 -0400

The FCC released its 450-page assessment on the future of media. Unfortunately, many the report’s recommendations around localism, media consolidation and transparency are contradictory to its analysis. And Sonic’s new 1 Gbps fiber broadband connection with two phone lines for $70 is sure to shake up the broadband market in Sonoma County.

Media Minutes (2011-06-17-11)

Stevie Converse — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:01:30 -0400

FCC Report Proposes Closing Localism Proceeding, Scrapping Enhanced Disclosure

Stevie Converse — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:05:16 -0400

Full article: Broadcasting & Cable
John Eggerton
The FCC's long-awaited report on the information needs of communities (465 pages including footnotes, said one commissioner) was released Thursday with a mix of praise and criticism for local TV station news. Recommendations include that the FCC should terminate its localism proceeding and replace enhanced disclosure of TV station's public service programming with a more streamlined, online version. Commissioner Michael Copps, who was critical of the report, said he would continue to push for enhanced disclosure and localism and called for commission hearings on the issues.

The Battle over Net Neutrality Rages On

Stevie Converse — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:07:01 -0400

Full article: Media Consortium
Eric K. Arnold
Four months after the FCC supposedly settled the issue, the battle over Net Neutrality is still raging. If anything, it’s just beginning to heat up. The House may have voted to repeal the FCC's Net Neutrality regulations, but media activists continue to counter industry spin and create opportunities for supporting an open Internet.