Cross-Ownership Criticisms Aired at L.A. FCC Field Hearing
LOS ANGELES -- Broadcast-newspaper cross-ownership drew criticism here Tues. at the start of the first FCC field hearing on that and other hot-button media consolidation issues. Rep. Watson (D-Cal.) said the FCC shouldn’t grant a Tribune request to extend its cross-ownership waiver involving the L.A. Times and KTLA, vowing to solicit opposition. Tribune declined to comment. KTLA, whose license comes up for renewal in 2007, isn’t operating under a waiver, a broadcast official said.
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Chmn. Martin knows there is anxiety about relaxing those rules, he said Tues. as the hearing began. “I recognize many of the concerns expressed about increased consolidation,” he said: “The decisions that we make about our ownership rules will be as difficult as they are critical.” Nonetheless, he said, updating old rules must account for “the struggling nature” of some media industry elements and “the competitive environment in which media companies operate.”
Other commissioners noted the controversial task ahead. “The debate over media ownership is… elicits the opinions and passions of people from all walks of life,” said Comr. McDowell. “Everywhere we go, we hear the sad story” of media consolidation,” said Comr. Adelstein, echoed by Comr. Copps. The hearing continued late Tues.