Lawmaker Slam FCC Media Ownership Rules

Rep. Greg Walden

Lawmakers slammed rules at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that critics say constrain traditional media companies as they try to compete with their unregulated online competitors, according to The Hill.

“Pretending that laws designed for an era before smartphones and the Internet will get the job done is an effective death sentence for many local media outlets,” Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) — chairman of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Communications — said Wednesday during a hearing held by his subcommittee.

“I just think that you guys don’t get it that the market has changed dramatically,” he said pointing to the Internet-enabled radio and music services that fall outside of the FCC’s regulatory jurisdiction.

FCC Media Bureau Chief Bill Lake responded that the agency is “looking at those trends in music radio and other sources [which] haven’t indicated to us yet that we should change the rules.

The FCC is “very open to all input on that subject,” he added.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) joined in criticizing the agency, saying he is “absolutely, totally disappointed in the FCC and their position on minority ownership.”

“This is the worst time for media ownership by minorities,” he said.

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