Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Media Ownership, Remote Control?
Aired June 02, 2003 - 06:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As I just mentioned, the FCC is poised to change the rules today on who owns the nation's newspapers, TV and radio stations, and that will affect who controls what you hear, see and read.
CNN's Julie Vallese joins us live from D.C. with more.
Good morning -- Julie.
JULIE VALLESE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
The debate is about media information access. And critics say that it's bad for Americans, but supporters say it's good for business.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VALLESE (voice-over): The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission says changing the rules for television media ownership is good for business and good for Americans.
MICHAEL POWELL, FCC CHAIRMAN: And when 87 percent of Americans are receiving content over cable television or satellite television, it's just irresponsible for the commission or the government not to take that into consideration when it makes the judgments about what limits on concentration it's going to enforce.
VALLESE: Up for a vote are decade-old rules on how many television stations one company can own, how big their audience can be, and limitations on television and radio ownership by the same company.
Critics say what is really at issue are the limitations on where consumers can turn for information.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The airways belong to the public, and they're there to make sure that we have access to the kind of information that we want.
VALLESE: Since the FCC relaxed the rules on ownership of radio stations in 1996, one company, Clear Channel, has bought more than 1,200 radio stations across the country. Just days before a final vote, demonstrations outside their offices opposing information control.
Some believe the same will happen with television, but the head of the FCC disagrees. POWELL: But I assure you and the viewers of one thing: There will be limits when we're through, and they'll strike a decent balance between the public interests and an efficient market structure.
VALLESE: Powell maintains by relaxing control, there will be broader and better programming and a healthier capitalist marketplace.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Now, the full commission is scheduled to begin meeting at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. They'll meet for about two hours, when FCC Chairman Michael Powell is expected to bring media ownership up for a vote. And if public comment hasn't changed anyone's opinion, we're expecting a three-two vote for changes straight down party lines -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We'll keep our ear to the tube. Julie Vallese live from D.C., many thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired June 2, 2003 - 06:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As I just mentioned, the FCC is poised to change the rules today on who owns the nation's newspapers, TV and radio stations, and that will affect who controls what you hear, see and read.
CNN's Julie Vallese joins us live from D.C. with more.
Good morning -- Julie.
JULIE VALLESE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
The debate is about media information access. And critics say that it's bad for Americans, but supporters say it's good for business.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VALLESE (voice-over): The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission says changing the rules for television media ownership is good for business and good for Americans.
MICHAEL POWELL, FCC CHAIRMAN: And when 87 percent of Americans are receiving content over cable television or satellite television, it's just irresponsible for the commission or the government not to take that into consideration when it makes the judgments about what limits on concentration it's going to enforce.
VALLESE: Up for a vote are decade-old rules on how many television stations one company can own, how big their audience can be, and limitations on television and radio ownership by the same company.
Critics say what is really at issue are the limitations on where consumers can turn for information.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The airways belong to the public, and they're there to make sure that we have access to the kind of information that we want.
VALLESE: Since the FCC relaxed the rules on ownership of radio stations in 1996, one company, Clear Channel, has bought more than 1,200 radio stations across the country. Just days before a final vote, demonstrations outside their offices opposing information control.
Some believe the same will happen with television, but the head of the FCC disagrees. POWELL: But I assure you and the viewers of one thing: There will be limits when we're through, and they'll strike a decent balance between the public interests and an efficient market structure.
VALLESE: Powell maintains by relaxing control, there will be broader and better programming and a healthier capitalist marketplace.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Now, the full commission is scheduled to begin meeting at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. They'll meet for about two hours, when FCC Chairman Michael Powell is expected to bring media ownership up for a vote. And if public comment hasn't changed anyone's opinion, we're expecting a three-two vote for changes straight down party lines -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We'll keep our ear to the tube. Julie Vallese live from D.C., many thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
