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CWA Commends Capitol Hill Action to Restore Media Ownership Rules
Washington, D.C. --Today's bipartisan vote by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to block television networks from owning more local TV stations is a critical and commendable step toward reversing the Federal Communications Commission's destructive decision to reward corporate media interests at the public's expense, the Communications Workers of America said.
CWA President Morton Bahr said the union also strongly commends Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and a bipartisan group of senators who are supporting legislation and a "resolution of disapproval" to overturn the ill-advised changes in media ownership rules.
"We stand wholeheartedly behind Sen. Dorgan and the many other lawmakers from both parties who are fighting to preserve our democracy's free and diverse media, and we call on the full House and Senate to join with them," Bahr said. "As the public has come to understand the FCC's action, they are outraged by it. They are counting on their representatives in Congress to make it right."
CWA is especially concerned about rule changes that would allow cross-ownership of TV stations and newspapers in a single market, threatening the quality and diversity of local news.
"The FCC has chipped away at media ownership rules for years and we're already seeing homogenization of news coverage as a result," The Newspaper Guild-CWA President Linda Foley said. "It is absolutely vital that in a democracy, the media reflect a variety of voices and viewpoints, and that communities can count on local, independent news sources. That won't be the case if these latest rule changes are allowed to stand."
Today's 40-25 House vote approved an amendment dealing specifically with network ownership of TV stations. Sen. Dorgan's resolution of disapproval and legislation put forth by the Commerce Committee would affect station ownership caps and restore the ban on cross-ownership of TV stations and newspapers.
"We urge Congress to act swiftly on these matters and roll back the FCC's gifts to hugely profitable corporations that think their right to make even more money trumps the public interest," Bahr said.
CWA President Morton Bahr said the union also strongly commends Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and a bipartisan group of senators who are supporting legislation and a "resolution of disapproval" to overturn the ill-advised changes in media ownership rules.
"We stand wholeheartedly behind Sen. Dorgan and the many other lawmakers from both parties who are fighting to preserve our democracy's free and diverse media, and we call on the full House and Senate to join with them," Bahr said. "As the public has come to understand the FCC's action, they are outraged by it. They are counting on their representatives in Congress to make it right."
CWA is especially concerned about rule changes that would allow cross-ownership of TV stations and newspapers in a single market, threatening the quality and diversity of local news.
"The FCC has chipped away at media ownership rules for years and we're already seeing homogenization of news coverage as a result," The Newspaper Guild-CWA President Linda Foley said. "It is absolutely vital that in a democracy, the media reflect a variety of voices and viewpoints, and that communities can count on local, independent news sources. That won't be the case if these latest rule changes are allowed to stand."
Today's 40-25 House vote approved an amendment dealing specifically with network ownership of TV stations. Sen. Dorgan's resolution of disapproval and legislation put forth by the Commerce Committee would affect station ownership caps and restore the ban on cross-ownership of TV stations and newspapers.
"We urge Congress to act swiftly on these matters and roll back the FCC's gifts to hugely profitable corporations that think their right to make even more money trumps the public interest," Bahr said.