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CNN Live At Daybreak
FCC Vote Today
Aired June 02, 2003 - 05:13 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: Well, as I mentioned, the FCC votes today on whether to change the rules on who owns the nation's newspapers, TV and radio stations.
As CNN's Greg Clarkin reports, it'll affect who controls what you see, hear and read.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GREG CLARKIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's brought together a diverse group, consumer advocates, civil rights groups and even the National Rifle Association, all opposing the FCC's planned changes to the rules on who owns the nation's newspapers, radio and TV stations.
FCC Chairman Michael Powell wants the changes. He says the old rules are outdated.
MICHAEL POWELL, FCC CHAIRMAN: Most of them date back to the Roosevelt or Kennedy era and the criticism is that the rules don't take into account the explosion of new media outlets.
CLARKIN: Despite the stiff opposition to the changes, Powell believes he has the votes necessary to push them through. If approved, the changes will allow a single company to own TV stations reaching 45 percent of the nation's viewers, up from 35 percent now. Another change will let a company own up to three TV stations in the largest markets. The limit is now two. It's also proposed that a single company be allowed to own a newspaper and a broadcast outlet in the same market.
While the current rules are decades old, they were put in place to ensure competition. But right now a handful of media companies already control much of what we see, read and hear. And as they own more media outlets, some are apprehensive that only a few voices will be heard.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I am concerned about further consolidations in the media so that it might deprive Americans of diversity and localization of their news and information.
CLARKIN: Senator McCain will question all five of the FCC commissioners on the new rules at a Senate committee hearing Wednesday.
(on camera): As for what's next, there were likely to be legal challenges to the rules changes. But few expect to see a rash of deals. What is expected is to see companies get together and swap broadcast stations to give themselves more clout in a particular market.
Greg Clarkin, CNN Financial News, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 - 05:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Well, as I mentioned, the FCC votes today on whether to change the rules on who owns the nation's newspapers, TV and radio stations.
As CNN's Greg Clarkin reports, it'll affect who controls what you see, hear and read.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GREG CLARKIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's brought together a diverse group, consumer advocates, civil rights groups and even the National Rifle Association, all opposing the FCC's planned changes to the rules on who owns the nation's newspapers, radio and TV stations.
FCC Chairman Michael Powell wants the changes. He says the old rules are outdated.
MICHAEL POWELL, FCC CHAIRMAN: Most of them date back to the Roosevelt or Kennedy era and the criticism is that the rules don't take into account the explosion of new media outlets.
CLARKIN: Despite the stiff opposition to the changes, Powell believes he has the votes necessary to push them through. If approved, the changes will allow a single company to own TV stations reaching 45 percent of the nation's viewers, up from 35 percent now. Another change will let a company own up to three TV stations in the largest markets. The limit is now two. It's also proposed that a single company be allowed to own a newspaper and a broadcast outlet in the same market.
While the current rules are decades old, they were put in place to ensure competition. But right now a handful of media companies already control much of what we see, read and hear. And as they own more media outlets, some are apprehensive that only a few voices will be heard.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I am concerned about further consolidations in the media so that it might deprive Americans of diversity and localization of their news and information.
CLARKIN: Senator McCain will question all five of the FCC commissioners on the new rules at a Senate committee hearing Wednesday.
(on camera): As for what's next, there were likely to be legal challenges to the rules changes. But few expect to see a rash of deals. What is expected is to see companies get together and swap broadcast stations to give themselves more clout in a particular market.
Greg Clarkin, CNN Financial News, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
