Statement of Beth McConnell
Executive Director, Media and Democracy Coalition

On the FCC's Vote to Weaken Media Ownership Rules

On December 18th, the Federal Communications Commission ignored overwhelming opposition from the public and policy makers when by a vote of 3-2 the agency weakened the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban (NBCO). The Media and Democracy Coalition is dismayed that the FCC did not heed the pleas of millions of Americans that have urged the agency not to take this step. We are resolved to continue the fight for open and equal access to a democratic media system that serves the public interest.

Members of the Coalition have worked tirelessly on behalf of the public throughout this debate. When the FCC gave little advance notice of public hearings and did little to promote them, the Coalition and its member groups ensured the word got out to local communities to allow their voices to be heard.

When the agency used questionable research to justify its rule changes, member groups worked together to highlight the significant flaws in the FCC's conclusions.

The Coalition demonstrated opposition to the FCC's plan from all corners of the public interest movement - religious, consumer, civil rights, labor unions, the creative community, media content providers, racial and economic justice, and good government organizations all united to deliver the same message to the FCC : no more media consolidation.

We also demonstrated opposition to more media consolidation and support for keeping the newspaper-broadcast cross ownership ban intact from all sides of the political spectrum through a public opinion poll released this fall.

Unfortunately, the FCC chose to ignore public opinion, disregard the research and reject the pleas of organizations representing millions of Americans. But the fight to stop media consolidation is far from over. In the coming weeks and months, Congress and the Courts will be asked to weigh in on the FCC's rule change. The Media and Democracy Coalition and its members groups are resolved to continue our efforts in these forums.

While our defeat at the FCC is a significant roadblock, the media reform movement is stronger now than it was when this fight began. New media reform and media justice organizations are being formed by citizens and forward-thinking leaders; consumers are flocking to new technologies in search of what they're not finding in the mainstream media; independent artists are finding ways to break through corporate gatekeepers to ensure their art survives; political leaders are standing up to powerful interests to fight for the public.

While special interests erect barriers to control the flow of information and art, the public is fighting back to reclaim our communications systems. Our growing movement will continue to counter special interests that seek more media consolidation at the expense of the public interest and will not stop until we win.