News

Public interest groups today told the Federal Communications Commission that telephone companies should not have the legal ability to interfere with text messages.

WASHINGTON — Today the Federal Communications Commission released its Section 257 report – an analysis on market barriers faced by small media and telecommunications businesses released by the federal agency every three years.

S. Derek Turner, research director of Free Press, issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Commerce Committee passed the bipartisan “Media Ownership Act of 2007” — sponsored by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.). The bill would direct the FCC to conduct a separate proceeding on localism and create an independent minority and female ownership task force before moving forward with any changes to media ownership limits.

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, launched an inquiry by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations to investigate the policymaking process at the Federation Communications Commission.

Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON — In a showdown on Capitol Hill this week, Congress and the Federal Communications Commission will square off over changes to the nation’s media ownership rules that could unleash more consolidation across the country.

WASHINGTON – Today, Google announced that it will apply to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction.

Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Communications Commission agreed to grant broadcast-newspaper cross-ownership waivers to Tribune Co. — including a permanent waiver in Chicago.

Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, issued the following statement:

Washington, DC — Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America and Free Press applauded news that a bipartisan majority of the Federal Communications Commission has committed to imposing a 30 percent national ownership cap on cable operators.

WASHINGTON — Low Power radio stations were given a boost yesterday at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which passed a package of reforms to improve the rules which govern these small stations run by schools, churches, immigrant groups, local governments and neighborhood organizations.

NEWARK — On Nov. 28, the Federal Communications Commission will hold a public forum for residents of New Jersey to weigh in on Fox Television Inc.’s application to renew its broadcast license for WWOR-TV 9.

WHAT: FCC Public Forum on WWOR-TV License Renewal
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, 4 p.m.